Talk Elections

From Rochester's WHAM-13:

---

Three times, Paychex billionaire Tom Golisano has backed his campaign for governor with his own money and some high ranking Republicans are promising to back Golisano if he runs on their ticket.

Still, no deal has been made.

In 2002 candidate Tom Golisano spent $4 million a week airing television ads bashing his opponent.

What a difference three years can make! With Democrats already running a high profile candidate who is polling well with voters, some high ranking Republicans appear ready to forgive and forget.

County Executive Maggie Brooks (R) said, "[The question is] Do we need to look at someone who represents the base values of the party and has always been a part of the party structure or is it time for someone who would represent a different point of view and back reforms?"

George Pataki is not expected to seek a fourth term. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Guiliani says he doesn't want the job.

Outsiders say Republicans don't want to a repeat of what happened to Bob Dole's 1996 presidential campaign.

RIT Political Science Professor Dr. Spencer Meredith said, "You don't want to go with someone who's been a party faithful but has no name recognition or very little appeal."

A Sienna Research Institute poll last week indicated that Golisano has better name recognition than two other Republicans eyeing statewide races. He also has deep pockets; in 2002, he spent $74 million on his campaign.

Brooks said,” He brings a lot of resources to the table. That's critically important when you're running a race that could turn into an aggressive race.

Meredith said, "The fact that Golisano has gone against Pataki…depends on how it’s spun. It can be spun as he's more conservative or as he's more moderate."

Golisano, who last year stepped aside as CEO of Paychex, has said he remains interested in state politics but has not decided whether he will run.

He did not return our calls for comment last week or today.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno's office last week indicated that Bruno had met twice with Golisano. Former Mayor Guiliani has also said he would back a Golisano campaign.

Everyone is waiting for Governor Pataki who must first say whether he is in or out of the race. He said he would do that in early spring.

Whether the delay is to make time for negotiations with Tom Golisano is unclear.

---

Would Golisano do any better than Pataki?

Yes, he'd lose by 23 points instead of 25. Governor Spitzer, bank it.

Both are going to get Demolished.  Does a couple points really matter. Hard to say who would do worse.  probably even out.  If Golisano runs the conservative turnout (mainly in Central NY) would be a bit stronger, but Golisano's conservative views would turnoff many downstate moderates who despite not liking Pataki would probably vote in higher #'s for Pataki than they would a conservative like Golisano (although Spitzer will still win the moderate in downstate by a decent margin, it just would be bigger for Golisano)

During the 2002 election I would have voted for Golisano (over McCall). He was moderate on some social issues. But my relatives in New York didn't like the fact that he was a very rich guy funding his own campaign. Kind of like how I feel about that moron Steve "Flat Tax Flat Tax Flat Tax" Forbes.

I think he'd be a great candidate but that Spitzer would still win, since Golisano would have to run further to the right than he did last time.

Haha, the guy who spent the record ever on a non-national race ( I think it was $75 million), and got 3rd place in a NYS governor race with 18% of the vote. Man, with his bang for the buck, the RNC better throw every last dollar they raise these next 17 months at him if they want to not lose by over 30 points.

He spent $20 million to win the Independence party primary, or $2000 per vote he recieved. 

Who cares-- NY may as well have bad Governors, more businesses will just move out. I'm all for it.

Spitzer, however, is a titanically overrated politician, so it will be mildly irritating to hear about him regularly for the next however many years.

Would make it at least slightly interesting.

If he was willing to spend $75 million on an Independence Party bid, would he be willing to spend $150 million on a run which included the Republican line?

Why would he need to run toward the right?  He could run toward the center... so long as he secured the Conservative ballot line before doing so.