Pataki Power, Politics & Padavan

PATAKI POWER? Who is George Pataki?

At times we wonder.

Two weeks ago, it was the Governor who quietly, behind the scenes, steered the Hate Crimes Bill through the Republican-controlled State Senate. Criminals who select their victims on the basis of their race, religion, age, gender, disability or even sexual orientation will now face heightened penalties in New York State. For years, prior to this historic passage, the State Senate Republican leadership had prevented the Hate Crimes Bill from ever coming to the floor for a vote. New York was only one of eight states that had not passed a bill of this type.

Its passage is therefore no great victory for progressive forces in NY; it is however a credit to the one man that made it happen, George Pataki. His quiet leadership and pressure has demonstrated that he can advocate for an agenda to the center or left of the political spectrum.

Previously he was instrumental in the passage of a billion dollar environmental package that both liberal Dems and national environmentalists have applauded. In March of this year he offered a broad package of gun control legislation which is now State law. And now he has championed and passed the Hate Crimes legislation.

Is this a liberal (pardon the word, George) in Republican clothing? Or is this a moderate Republican with a national agenda? Is George Pataki quietly and effectively positioning himself for the Vice Presidential slot on an all George ticket?

George W. Bush needs a moderate to offset his harsh conservative image. He also could use the 34 electoral votes that New York has. His Texas, his brother’s Florida and Pataki’s New York could give the GOP a major league lead in the race for the White House.

So George Pataki is becoming the darling of the middle (and in some cases the left) because he’s had enough of Albany — who could blame him – and a DC address would be a wonderful change.

POLITICS: Conservative Republicans have never been a favorite of this writer.

Pataki was never our prince charming. We assume we made it clear above that we applaud his progressive (is that more palatable than "liberal?") efforts.

Like Pataki, State Senator Frank Padavan showed that he can change and even with both eyes facing right, he can tell right from wrong. After years of being on the wrong side of the Hate Crimes Bill, Padavan followed Pataki’s lead and voted for its passage. We applaud him for that.

Sadly, Padavan’s Republican State Senate colleague from western Queens, Serf Maltese was one of only 12 voting against the bill. We find his fancy footwork in trying to justify his vote, just another attempt to avoid his real motive: denying gays the protection afforded other minorities. Serf, you need not be gay or sanction gay lifestyles in order to provide extra protection against hate crimes. You needn’t be black, disabled or old to support extra penalties for hate.

But the saddest outcome of this effort is, in the end, it’s politics as usual.

Serf Maltese is left unchallenged for his Senate seat while Frank Padavan is being targeted by the Dems. It’s no longer a question of principle, it’s a question of money and power. The Dems are fighting (more like hoping or dreaming) to win enough votes to take the majority in the State Senate, only so they get the perks. They want the majority leader, the committee chairs, the extra compensation and the power. We’re really not sure there is an agenda that drives the party.

It’s no difference in the Assembly or in Congress, for that matter.

We are witnessing a nationwide Democratic effort to win 5 new Congressional seats to retake the majority in a House of 432 members. At issue is making Dick Gephardt speaker and lots of Dems chairpersons. There is power, there is money and as an afterthought, there may be some issues.

We remember the good old days when the difference between the parties was like the difference between left and right (in our opinion, that was also the difference between left and wrong).

But no longer; everyone has moved to the center and votes are traded and often controlled by special interests.

Money and power have brought democracy to an all time low.

And it’s sad!

PADAVAN: Two weeks ago, accompanied by our little verse, "Incumbents Always Win," we wrote: "while Republican Frank Padavan will face an aggressive challenge from Rory Lancman. But the Albany and Queens County Dems are unlikely to invest any resources against Padavan who consistently proves he owns his district."

Dem State Senator Dan Hevesi emailed us with another viewpoint saying in part: We are going full throttle against Padavan this year. The Senate Dems are going to provide Rory with substantial resources and he has the united and enthusiastic support of Queens Dems. This race is for real — Rory is a very good candidate, Frank has lots of vulnerabilities, With Rudy G. out of his race it should lessen the Republican/Conservative turnout. We (Dems) are in the midst of a huge effort to retake the Senate this year. Frank will be tough to beat, but this race will be about large-scale issues. We’ve got a very good shot and we’re taking it!

My email reply: Thanx for your input — perhaps I’ll use it for a future column. But, do you wanna bet? How much?

Dan: I think dinner would be appropriate — as long as you are not registered as a lobbyist with the State, because then I can’t accept your meal when Frank goes down! :)

Me: Make it a lunch! The Friday after the General (Election)? My photographer will shoot you paying the bill.

Dan: Deal!

For the record, we’re undecided on this race.

"BOOP ESIDENT" Picture of the Week

On Queens Blvd, right outside of Queens Borough Hall is this sign welcoming you and introducing the "BOOP ESIDENT" CLIRE ULA." It directs you to Jury Impaneling but fell apart when it had to deal with "Marriage." Hmmmm! Photo by Ira Cohen

 

ASTORIA RACE: Although there are whispers, insiders are dismissing rumors in Western Queens that the powerful Taminent Dems will break with the Queens County Dem Organization in the upcoming race for the Assembly seat that Denis Butler will vacate when he resigns.

Perpetual candidate Kimon Thermos has ingratiated himself to City Council Speaker Peter Vallone – King of the Taminent. Thermos, an Astoria boy, has long backed Vallone, his Astoria Civic Association and their local efforts – despite Vallone’s refusal to back Thermos in his past attempts to capture Butler’s seat.

Local politicos are wondering how Thermos will react when and if the Taminent puts its considerable power behind Mike Giannaris, not a new face, but "County’s" new candidate for Butler’s seat.

The whole thing could get down and dirty, insiders said. Especially if Taminent decides to employ some of the same tactics against Thermos that they used to defeat Community Board 1 District Manager George Delis in Delis’ failed 1998 attempt to steal the seat from Taminent-backed, long-time incumbent State Senator George Onorato for Onorato’s never-before-contested seat.

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Liz Goff & Mike Nussbaum contributed to this column.

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