I've been blogging a lot on DKos about why I have been supporting Tom Suozzi in the NY Governor primary. But Eliot Spitzer won by a large margin yesterday and Tom, knowing the crucial opportunity that Democrats have in this years election, did the right thing and endorsed Spitzer. All NY Democrats should do the same.
Tom Suozzi ran a great race. A New York Political Blog, Room8 has a good article called "Thanks Tom Suozzi:"
Thank you for turning your back on the safe path of careerism, trading favors, waiting for the death or indictment of an incumbent, and occupying a seat. Instead you took on the corrupt and seemingly impregnable Nassau County Republican machine, made many of the hard short run decisions - higher taxes, reduced services, tougher labor negotiations - required to begin turning the situation around for the long run. Thanks even more for taking on the disgrace our state government, once one of the best in the nation, has become. That was even harder, because it required that you not only call out the other side, but also your own side and its supporters. It made a lot of enemies, which has cost you. But from my point of view, they include many of the right enemies. And thanks for running for Governor. You offered your service. The voters decided to choose otherwise. So be it. That isn't anything for Tom Suozzi to feel bad about.
I even appreciate the race Tom Suozzi ran. He ran hard, but he ran clean. He raised issues and challenged Eliot Spitzer but did not dishonestly smear him (for a comparison, see the Republican campaign for Senate and the Democratic campaign for Attorney General). And, more importantly, if Spitzer takes up the challenge, Suozzi has provided ample cover for his use when governing. Spitzer can tell the insiders of Albany that either they will have to cut a fair deal with him, or face worse in the future. I hope Tom Suozzi will continue to keep making noise, just as a reminder. The defeat of a few more incumbents, something that seemed unimaginable before his "Fix Albany" campaign, would reinforce the message.
http://www.r8ny.com/...
Contrary to the fears of the stale NY state Democratic Party establishment, Suozzi's candidacy has bolstered Spitzer's momentum by making him elaborate policy positions on key issues and to get his campaign cylanders firing and becoming a well-oiled machine in preparation for the general election. As the New York Times said,
By forcing Mr. Spitzer to defend his record and to elaborate on crucial issues like taxes and health care, Mr. Suozzi succeeded in making the attorney general an even more compelling candidate.
http://www.spitzerpaterson.com/...
Eliot Spitzer is without a doubt the greatest Attorney General in New York History, and is polling so unbelievably high right now, that he has a very good chance to fundamentally change the structure of Albany. Eliot Spitzer is a good man and a great politician. Althought I would have preferred Suozzi at the top of the ticket, Spitzer will be a great Governor and will certainly be much, much better than John Faso the GOP nominee who is actually real Bush Republican, not a watered-down Pataki/Guiliani New York Republican. NY Kossacks should get behind Spitzer's campaign if they are not already (certainly all already are) because not only will the Democrats sweep the statewide races this year, but if Eliot Spitzer's and Hillary Clinton's coattails are strong enough, we could actually take the State Senate for the first time in over 30 years. NY Kossacks, it's time to fall in line and do this!