Albany's Insanity

The TEA Parties in Western New York are not waiting for the Primary in NY State, we are having our own Tea Party Caucus.

We know more will be jumping on board. The largest one is being held here in Erie County Saturday, March 3rd from 3 to 6 at the Ellicott Square Bldg.
This was sent out to TEA Party groups across the state.
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It’s not just Carl Paladino… If I had my way I would run someone against just about every republican rino in this state to include Skelos, Maziarz, Libous etal.. It’s disgusting to watch these supposed republican elected officials sell their souls. Sure we may have found someone to run against Grisanti, a definate to run against Alesi, possibly Libous but we need more candidates. Real Republicans are pissed off and they should be. At least the democrats run telling you they are going to raise your taxes except they hide behind saying it’s on the rich. In reality they raise our taxes across the board. Double taxed, triple taxed in some cases, highest energy costs in the country, commuter taxes, gay marriage, green this and green that all to disguise the special interests that own them lock stock and barrel.

Grisanti tells us “I don’t take money from downstate special interests.” ??? Another lie… How much more are you gonna take???
The Buffalo News reported on Jan. 19 that none of the nearly $247,000 Grisanti reported to the state Board of Elections last month stemmed from his district. Much of the latest sum was contributed at a fall event in Manhattan hosted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and gay rights supporters.

Paladino is targeting Republican Sens. Mark Grisanti of Buffalo, James Alesi of Monroe County and Roy McDonald of Saratoga County—but not because they all supported same-sex marriage last year.

Rather, the Buffalo real estate developer says the trio did not “keep their word” by voting recently for the millionaire’s tax. He said at least seven others may also be targeted by a “network of Paladino supporters throughout the state.”

Paladino also said he will back South Council Member Mickey Kearns in the March 20 special election for the Assembly, pointing to opponent and Democratic endorsee Chris Fahey’s close association with Rep. Brian Higgins — an official Paladino archenemy.

• “He broke his word and I won’t carry his petitions again.”— Kevin Backus, senior pastor of Bible Presbyterian Church and Grand Island Conservative chairman, on his refusal to support Grisanti. He said the Republican promised not to vote for same-sex marriage, then did.

While Erie County Conservative Chairman Ralph Lorigo has left the door open to Grisanti for the often-crucial minor party line, stalwarts like Backus and state Chairman Mike Long are still fuming over the marriage vote.

• “I don’t take money from downstate special interests.”— Mark Grisanti, as quoted by the Niagara Gazette on Oct. 28, 2010.

The Buffalo News reported on Jan. 19 that none of the nearly $247,000 Grisanti reported to the state Board of Elections last month stemmed from his district. Much of the latest sum was contributed at a fall event in Manhattan hosted by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and gay rights supporters.

rmccarthy@buffnews.com

Here’s why they said that . . . – Bob McCarthy – The Buffalo News.

Coming to a senate district near you!! It’s time for a TEA Party Caucus in Albany!!!! Carl joining up again with his TEA Party groups and we are going to take it to them. We are sick and tired of republicans running as Republicans and Conservatives then once they get elected switching votes, aligning with the democrats and Cuomo like we have one party in this state. It’s sickening and we have had enough.

Paladino To Support Primaries Against Senate GOP

Buffalo businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino says he plans to support primary campaigns against Senate Republicans.

Paladino told me this afternoon at the annual Conservative Party Political Action Conference in Colonie that he was tired of watching the GOP in the upper chamber not be more of an opposition party in a state that is otherwise controlled by Democrats.

more of an opposition party in a state that is otherwise controlled by Democrats.

“We’re going to run some candidates against some key people, alright, and primary them,” Paladino said.

His comments came after a speech that criticized Senate Republicans and Majority Leader Dean Skelos. He would not tell me which lawmakers are being targeted.

Paladino’s base of support is in western New York and GOP voters there helped him achieve a blow out victory against gubernatorial primary foe Rick Lazio.

Buffalo Sen. Mark Grisanti, meanwhile, is in danger of losing the Conservative Party line for his vote in favor of same-sex marriage. Erie County Conservative Party Chairman Ralph Lorigo said in an interview that a lot is still in flux due to the ongoing redistricting process, but said local party leaders were upset with Grisanti’s yes vote.

Still, the party’s endorsement is not out of reach if Grisanti can demonstration “Conservative Party values,” Lorgio said.

Paladino, meanwhile, could hamper GOP efforts to stay in power for another 2-year term if his primary plan comes to fruition. Senate Republicans are sitting on a $4.8 million war chest, while Senate Democrats continue to pay off their debt.

“We have to clean house because we have people who are not loyal to the Republican rank and file,” Paladino said in the interview. “The Republican rank and file spoke in my primary last year and they sent a very clear message. Rick Lazio does not hold any real water for them. The rank and file are upset with the country and state leadership in the Republican Party. They want change. They know it’s the same old thing and that’s what we’re getting right now.”

Senate Republicans may face another primary on their hands should Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin take on Sen. Roy McDonald. McLaughlin told the crowd at the Conservative Party’s confab that he hadn’t ruled out running against McDonald, R-Saratoga, but said redistricting had a lot riding on the decision.

Upending the Republican Party isn’t anything new for Paladino, of course. He knocked of Lazio, the state party’s second choice for governor, in 2010.

And he’s backing New Gingrich in the GOP presidential primary over Mitt Romney. Coincidentally, Lazio, who served in the House while Gingrich was speaker, is backing Romney.

The similarities between the New York governor’s race in 2010 and today’s presidential campaign are stark and in a way, Paladino’s support for Gingrich is similar to his gubernatorial campaign. Gingrich is the rumpled bomb thrower, while Romney is the handsome, quasi-establishment moderate with good hair.

Paladino even uses similar criticism of Romney that he used for Lazio.

“The Washington establishment with its lobbyists and special interests will chew him up and spit him out,” Paladino said.

via Paladino To Support Primaries Against Senate GOP.

Finally, Kathy Hochul’s latest commercial is under fire from Buffalo Activist Rus Thompson, who is a supporter of Jane Corwin. Thompson released a statement saying Hochul’s ad, which deals with her efforts to remove the toll barriers in Buffalo, “is an insult to all taxpayers.”

Thompson said, “It was not until Carl Paladino and Mike Powers actually did the research, revealed that state law clearly prevented the collection of tolls… and brought a lawsuit to bring them to an end, that the tolls came down.”

That is likely true, although the Thruway Authority voted to remove the tolls before the lawsuit went through the court system.

via Three Candidates In 26th District Race On Air With New Ads | wgrz.com.