New York Democrats are having a good year. For the first time in many, many election cycles, Democrats have a shot to take the Legislature and the Executive Branch back to their control. Yet despite all the good news, there are those that muddy the waters for their own ego. There are some who see this election cycle as a chance to further their name and their ego, not just the interests of New Yorkers. If you don't know who I'm talking about (and if so, you obviously didn't read the title), then follow me over the fold.
This year there is a chance to take back the State Senate. Locally, I believe that Nick Spano won't be returning to Albany next year (thanks mainly to the fact that he didn't play ball with the Working Families on Fair Share Health care). In the Assembly, the Democrats should have no problem keeping their majority. For the Attorney General's race, Andrew Cuomo seems set to face Jeanine Pirro, and while some may not have faith in this race, I believe Jeanine's enormous back trail of corruption will catch up to her pretty quickly. Don't believe me? You must not have read
this book.
Yet with all this potential good news, I find it necessarily to sulk a little bit. Tom Suozzi rains on my parade every day. Yes, it's true that an important part of democracy is a competitive primary where party voters are given ample choices for who they want to represent them on the ballot. However, when the man you're facing is Eliot Spitzer, some of the value loses it's meaning. Eliot Spitzer may be the most credible New York State Democrat currently serving and running for office. Taking corporation after corporation to court, Spitzer has won the hearts of many New York State voters. His lead in the polls have been rather large, around 40 points.
However the real frustration in Tom Suozzi's campaign isn't the fact that he's a long shot. Long shots can be good and are part of the democratic process. No, what really gets my goat about Tom Suozzi is the platform that he runs on; it's the "to the right of Spitzer" platform. Spitzer is a huge support of the right of choice? No problem, just take the more moderate ground. Spitzer supports gay marriage? No problem, just take the more moderate ground. Spitzer is talking about reforming property taxes? No problem, just take the moderate ground (and act like a Republican by claiming a Democrat can't handle a checkbook).
Additionally, take a look at Suozzi's key supporters. Besides from friends in Nassau county government, who's backing Suozzi? Was it this man? Thankfully, no. Yet the truth is that Republicans have been just as much of Suozzi's base as Democrats. One of Suozzi's key financial backers has been Ken Langone, who Charlie Rangel isn't such a big fan of. Wall Street and Republicans have been large contributors to the Suozzi campaign, and why shouldn't they? Spitzer is their worst nightmare.
The truth is that Tom Suozzi is running because of an ego. Tom Suozzi is running because he wants to get his name out to the state party and the national news. Tom Suozzi has future political plans and he wants to be known now, before he goes after a realistic office. Tom Suozzi is putting his name, his reputation, his face, and his ego above the interests of the New York State Democrats. By doing this, Suozzi is playing into the hands of the Republicans. John Faso can sit back and relax while Spitzer fends off attacks from Suozzi, and once the primary is done Faso can attack. The only consolation I take is the unwavering belief that no matter how much damage Suozzi does, it will not be enough to stop Spitzer's run for governor.