NY: GOP Delegates Reject William Weld and Back Faso Instead

[Frodo]

G.O.P. Delegates Reject Weld, Back Faso for Governor

By PATRICK HEALY
Published: June 1, 2006

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., June 1 — Former Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld suffered a stunning rebuke from his own Republican party this afternoon when he lost his bid to become the party's designee in the race for governor. Instead, delegates chose John Faso, a former upstate Assemblyman, by more than 3 to 2.

Mr. Weld had the tacit backing of Gov. George Pataki and other party leaders, who urged Mr. Weld to run and tried to secure the nomination for him to oppose Eliot Spitzer, the likely Democratic nominee.

In a roll-call vote of county Republican officials at the party's convention here today, Mr. Faso won 61.2 percent of the vote, significantly more than expected. Still, Mr. Weld's 38.8 percent was enough to qualify for a place on the Sept. 12 primary ballot.

Being the party designee is usually a nominal honor, but Republicans say it could be consequential this year. The Faso camp is certain that it will help their candidate attract more money, media attention, and endorsements, all of which have come easier to Mr. Weld so far.

More than anything, Mr. Faso and his advisers hope that their victory will lead Mr. Weld to drop out of the race in the name of party unity, rather than contest the Sept. 12 primary. Mr. Faso already has the nomination of the Conservative Party, and some Republicans believe that only a candidate with both the Republican and Conservative party lines can win enough votes in the November general election to have a chance Mr. Spitzer, who is now the state Attorney General.

Mr. Weld told reporters after the convention vote today that he would remain in the race. But Mr. Faso's victory still forces questions upon him in the days ahead: Does Mr. Weld risk becoming a spoiler, forcing Mr. Faso to spend time and money on a primary instead of challenging Mr. Spitzer? And can Mr. Weld, the party's early favorite, recover momentum now that he has been shown to be a distant second choice among grass-roots Republican delegates?

[YRABNNRM]

Fools.

Thankfully, Weld will not be wasted on them.

[Smash255]

Is it me or does it look like the nY GOP is trying to hand the Dems the State Senate??

No matter who it is Weld or faso they will both get absolutley demolished by Spitzer, its not going to be close.   Faso will do better upstate, Weld downstate.  It is downstate NY specifically Long island which somehow the GOP has all 9 state Senators that the GOP can least afford Faso.  Weld being from Long Island and being quite socially liberal will still get beat easily by Spitzer.  However Weld will keep the margins quite a bit closer than the social conservative Faso would which will more than likely have some rollover effect on the state senate races on Long Island.  The GOP will probably lose some of the state senate seats on Long Island regardless, but they will lose more with someone as conservative as Faso on the top of the ticket, especially with it looking like the GOP will have 2 social conservatives at the top of the ticket in Faso & Spencer. 

Not that McFarland or Weld have any chance of even being close in their races, but by going with the more conservative candidates they put other seats at risk because of people who are turned off by conservatives.  Not only that, but they push suburban NYC (Long Island and Westchester especially) even further into the Dem column than they already are, and thats the last thing the GOP can do if they ever want to be even remotley relevant again in NY politics. 

The state GOP seems to be moving right at a time where the area they most need to be competitive in, in order to be relevant is moving leftward, a pretty stupid idea.   Long island already is pretty much Dem on the National level, but by bowing down to upstate conservatives, especially social conservatives the NY state GOP may have handed the Dems Long Island for good and dug their own graves of ever having any future in the state. 

[Gustaf]

As far as i can tell, Smash is right. While I don't think the state-wide result would differ much between Weld and Faso (the last poll actually showed Faso doing better than Weld against Spitzer) it seems plausible that Faso would do better in areas that are already safely GOP, while Weld would fare better in more marginal seats.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Is it me or does it look like the nY GOP is trying to hand the Dems the State Senate??

No matter who it is Weld or faso they will both get absolutley demolished by Spitzer, its not going to be close.   Faso will do better upstate, Weld downstate.  It is downstate NY specifically Long island which somehow the GOP has all 9 state Senators that the GOP can least afford Faso.  Weld being from Long Island and being quite socially liberal will still get beat easily by Spitzer.  However Weld will keep the margins quite a bit closer than the social conservative Faso would which will more than likely have some rollover effect on the state senate races on Long Island.  The GOP will probably lose some of the state senate seats on Long Island regardless, but they will lose more with someone as conservative as Faso on the top of the ticket, especially with it looking like the GOP will have 2 social conservatives at the top of the ticket in Faso & Spencer. 

Not that McFarland or Weld have any chance of even being close in their races, but by going with the more conservative candidates they put other seats at risk because of people who are turned off by conservatives.  Not only that, but they push suburban NYC (Long Island and Westchester especially) even further into the Dem column than they already are, and thats the last thing the GOP can do if they ever want to be even remotley relevant again in NY politics. 

The state GOP seems to be moving right at a time where the area they most need to be competitive in, in order to be relevant is moving leftward, a pretty stupid idea.   Long island already is pretty much Dem on the National level, but by bowing down to upstate conservatives, especially social conservatives the NY state GOP may have handed the Dems Long Island for good and dug their own graves of ever having any future in the state. 

Yep, the NY state Republican party is being destroyed by Bush, and they're stupidly walking off the cliff. William Weld is a decent man, and the stupid Bush supporters can't support decent men. When Weld was running against Kerry, the two would sometimes go out for a beer. Republicans can't stand someone who doesn't blindly hate John Kerry.

[WalterMitty]

Is it me or does it look like the nY GOP is trying to hand the Dems the State Senate??

No matter who it is Weld or faso they will both get absolutley demolished by Spitzer, its not going to be close.   Faso will do better upstate, Weld downstate.  It is downstate NY specifically Long island which somehow the GOP has all 9 state Senators that the GOP can least afford Faso.  Weld being from Long Island and being quite socially liberal will still get beat easily by Spitzer.  However Weld will keep the margins quite a bit closer than the social conservative Faso would which will more than likely have some rollover effect on the state senate races on Long Island.  The GOP will probably lose some of the state senate seats on Long Island regardless, but they will lose more with someone as conservative as Faso on the top of the ticket, especially with it looking like the GOP will have 2 social conservatives at the top of the ticket in Faso & Spencer. 

Not that McFarland or Weld have any chance of even being close in their races, but by going with the more conservative candidates they put other seats at risk because of people who are turned off by conservatives.  Not only that, but they push suburban NYC (Long Island and Westchester especially) even further into the Dem column than they already are, and thats the last thing the GOP can do if they ever want to be even remotley relevant again in NY politics. 

The state GOP seems to be moving right at a time where the area they most need to be competitive in, in order to be relevant is moving leftward, a pretty stupid idea.   Long island already is pretty much Dem on the National level, but by bowing down to upstate conservatives, especially social conservatives the NY state GOP may have handed the Dems Long Island for good and dug their own graves of ever having any future in the state. 

Yep, the NY state Republican party is being destroyed by Bush, and they're stupidly walking off the cliff. William Weld is a decent man, and the stupid Bush supporters can't support decent men. When Weld was running against Kerry, the two would sometimes go out for a beer. Republicans can't stand someone who doesn't blindly hate John Kerry.

oh stop it.  just stop it.

stop kissing up to bill weld.  when he won 70% of the vote in massachusetts, you were probably blaming diebold.

by the way, instead of selling insurance, the guy weld beat in 1994 is now the head of the pittsburgh school system.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Is it me or does it look like the nY GOP is trying to hand the Dems the State Senate??

No matter who it is Weld or faso they will both get absolutley demolished by Spitzer, its not going to be close.   Faso will do better upstate, Weld downstate.  It is downstate NY specifically Long island which somehow the GOP has all 9 state Senators that the GOP can least afford Faso.  Weld being from Long Island and being quite socially liberal will still get beat easily by Spitzer.  However Weld will keep the margins quite a bit closer than the social conservative Faso would which will more than likely have some rollover effect on the state senate races on Long Island.  The GOP will probably lose some of the state senate seats on Long Island regardless, but they will lose more with someone as conservative as Faso on the top of the ticket, especially with it looking like the GOP will have 2 social conservatives at the top of the ticket in Faso & Spencer. 

Not that McFarland or Weld have any chance of even being close in their races, but by going with the more conservative candidates they put other seats at risk because of people who are turned off by conservatives.  Not only that, but they push suburban NYC (Long Island and Westchester especially) even further into the Dem column than they already are, and thats the last thing the GOP can do if they ever want to be even remotley relevant again in NY politics. 

The state GOP seems to be moving right at a time where the area they most need to be competitive in, in order to be relevant is moving leftward, a pretty stupid idea.   Long island already is pretty much Dem on the National level, but by bowing down to upstate conservatives, especially social conservatives the NY state GOP may have handed the Dems Long Island for good and dug their own graves of ever having any future in the state. 

Yep, the NY state Republican party is being destroyed by Bush, and they're stupidly walking off the cliff. William Weld is a decent man, and the stupid Bush supporters can't support decent men. When Weld was running against Kerry, the two would sometimes go out for a beer. Republicans can't stand someone who doesn't blindly hate John Kerry.

oh stop it.  just stop it.

stop kissing up to bill weld.  when he won 70% of the vote in massachusetts, you were probably blaming diebold.

by the way, instead of selling insurance, the guy weld beat in 1994 is now the head of the pittsburgh school system.

Why would I care what percentage of the vote someone gets for Massachusetts governor, which is basically a figure-head positiion? If the Republicans are stealing elections in Massachusetts, they're doing a pretty sh**tty job.

[Speed of Sound]

All I have to say is:





pwned

[YRABNNRM]

All I have to say is:





pwned

Excuse me?

[Gabu]

The S.S. NYGOP apparently wasn't sinking fast enough, so they decided to scuttle the ship while they're at it.

[The Dowager Mod]

This is more a fight between the Pataki loyalists and the more moderate faction.

[Speed of Sound]

All I have to say is:





pwned

Excuse me?

Pataki and his crew got pwned.

[YRABNNRM]

All I have to say is:





pwned

Excuse me?

Pataki and his crew got pwned.

Aren't you a member of the Socialist party?

Pataki/Crew: 1
Socialists: 0

Thanks for playing!

[Speed of Sound]

All I have to say is:





pwned

Excuse me?

Pataki and his crew got pwned.

Aren't you a member of the Socialist party?

Pataki/Crew: 1
Socialists: 0

Thanks for playing!

In NY, our success rate is barely different. and in case you were too stupid to figure it out, I was kidding, but you get the point.

[HardRCafé]

William Weld is a decent man, and the stupid Bush supporters can't support decent men. When Weld was running against Kerry, the two would sometimes go out for a beer. Republicans can't stand someone who doesn't blindly hate John Kerry.

Ooh, the jfern endorsement in the Republican primary.

Some Republicans actually prefer John Kerry to Bill Weld.

[YRABNNRM]

Some Republicans actually prefer John Kerry to Bill Weld.

Where are these "Republicans"?

In NY, our success rate is barely different. and in case you were too stupid to figure it out, I was kidding, but you get the point.

Great joke!

[Boris]

Who cares about whom the delegates endorse? Either way, you might as well be calling Eliot Spitzer the Governor-elect of New York.

I find it kinda amusing that there's so much talk about the New York gubernatorial election, even though we already know who the winner will be.

[CARLHAYDEN]

I have been saying for some time that the Republican party of New York would nominate a New York Republican for the Governor's nomination.

Willaim Weld is a left-wing nut case from Taxacussets.

If Weld tries for a primary, he'll be crushed by Faso.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Willaim Weld is a left-wing nut case from Taxacussets.

LOL, that's a pretty dumb attack.  Here's all of the problems with it.
1. William Weld has spent more of his life in NY
2. New York has higher taxes
3. Gore did better in NY than MA

[YRABNNRM]

Willaim Weld is a left-wing nut case from Taxacussets.

Are you basing this on any facts, or just the fact that he's from MA?

Jfern summed it up pretty well.

[Gabu]

Jfern summed it up pretty well.

Here's something I'd never thought I'd see you say.

[Smash255]

I have been saying for some time that the Republican party of New York would nominate a New York Republican for the Governor's nomination.

Willaim Weld is a left-wing nut case from Taxacussets.

If Weld tries for a primary, he'll be crushed by Faso.

Faso is the nutcase here.  They both will get crushed by Spoitzer, but as  I said earlier in this post this is bigger than the Govenor's race which Spitzer will win big.  This is about the state Senate, having a moderate or liberal iN Weld running against Spitzer will make Long Island and Westchester more competitive, yes Spitzer will still win, but weld would make it a closer race in these areas than someone as conservative as Faso.  A social conservative does not play well on Long Island or Westchester, Faso will get obliterated here.  Long Island and Westchester LI, especially have strong GOP state Senate reprsentation, the larger the Dem blowout at the top of the ticket the greater the chances of the Dems making some major State Senate gains in Long Island and Westcheseter.  Which would give the Dems complete control of the state.  Not only that, but in order for the GOP to remain relevant in NY they need to do well in the big three suburban counties Nassau, Suffolk & Westchester  (and to a lesser extent Rockland,, but LI & Westchester have much larger populations).  These are areas where only a moderate to a liberal Republican on social issues will be competiive, a social conservative will only be competitive ubnder the most extreme of circumstances.  If the state GOP moves more in a social conservative direction they completley lose any chance of ever being even remotley relevant in NY state politics again because Long Island and Westchester will become stronger Dem on the state level as well. 

Boris, this is why this is pretty important because by the state GOP moving in a more conservative direction and endorsing more conservative candidates they put the state Senate as well as any possible relevance in the future at risk, because of how poorly suburban NYC looks at social conservatives.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Willaim Weld is a left-wing nut case from Taxacussets.

Are you basing this on any facts, or just the fact that he's from MA?

Jfern summed it up pretty well.

Well, the fact is that Weld is so far out in left-field that he is conceivably farther out than the Democrat nominee (the current Attorney General).

Give it some thought, JFern likes Weld because JFern realizes that Weld is way out in left field.

[YRABNNRM]

Willaim Weld is a left-wing nut case from Taxacussets.

Are you basing this on any facts, or just the fact that he's from MA?

Jfern summed it up pretty well.

Well, the fact is that Weld is so far out in left-field that he is conceivably farther out than the Democrat nominee (the current Attorney General).

Give it some thought, JFern likes Weld because JFern realizes that Weld is way out in left field.

So what makes Bill Weld more left wing than ELIOT SPITZER?

[CARLHAYDEN]

I don't recally Spitzer ever adoring Fidel Castro.