Maltese: No Defections
I just caught up with Republican state Senator Serph Maltese to talk to him about yesterday's victory by Craig Johnson.
On one subject of immediate speculation -- the possibility of partisan defections -- Maltese said he spoke with John Bonacic and Joe Robach, two GOP state senators who, like him, are rumored to be considering a party switch that would hand control of the Senate to the Democrats.
"I spoke with both of them last night," Maltese said, "and both of them told me it's total baloney and they're not interested in switching parties."
He explained yesterday's loss in Nassau County, at least in part, by pointing to Iraq.
"There was still enough spillover from the war in Iraq and resentment from the president," Maltese said. "Hopefully in November of next year, the war will be resolved and our troops will be home and it won't be an issue."
About the anti-gay marriage flier from the Nassau County Conservative Campaign Committee, Maltese, a former Conservative Party chairman in Queens, said, "Anybody asks me anything about that, I say don't do it. They usually come back and hit you in the face."
And as for the impact of yesterday's loss on GOP state chairman Joe Mondello?
None, said Maltese.
"I don't know if that's a referendum on Joe and his leadership. I have full confidence in him," he said.
"They say the race was run in a textbook fashion," he continued, but there were "circumstances beyond his control."
-- Azi Paybarah
"...they're not interested in switching parties." I'm sure maltese will accept their word....just like when he promised to support Bloomberg and then turned around and caved in to ognibene and gallagher. Men of their word...watch your back, Bruno.
If the Republicans ran that race in textbook fashion, they should throw out the textbook!
1) Methinks they doth protest too much.
2) If not, it appears that the Republicans have so much sand in their ears from sticking their heads in it that they can't the freight train.
Will Suozzi fire Bogsted (his Nassau County Commissioner Consumer Affairs)of over the anti-gay piece?
I am sure Bonacic and Robach, if they do end up switching, will signal to other caucus members that they are ahead of time. Right.
Last time anyone made a declaration from Bonacic and Robach was when Deve Paterson sent out the letter saying he wouldn't challenge Marty Connor.
Who were the Republican consultants for O'Connell?
any Republican who switches to the spitzer admin is foolish he will get rid of them once he gets what he wants
"Anybody asks me anything about that, I say don't do it. They usually come back and hit you in the face." Serf Maltese sent out a flyer to every voter-Republican, Conservative, Ind, Democrat, repeating the false allegation that his rival Albert Baldeo pointed a gun at another candidate's wife. It proved to be BS-DA refused to be impressed. Baldeo was in front of 500 witnesses at Rochdale Village. The result? Baldeo kicked his (Maltese) ass-49%, he is no longer the Queens Republican Chair, and is treated like a joke by Bruno and co. in Albany. It pays to learn, Serf. How low can you get?
O'Connell's GOP consultants were Brendan Quinn and his lapdog Brett Mecum, who are now D.O.A. in any Republican race in the State.