Some quotable quotes summing up the political scene on this Sunday in May: • “He’s toast.”—2010 GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino on the candidacy of Republican State Sen. Mark Grisanti of Buffalo. Paladino is following through on his promise to weed out Republican senators in Albany he considers devotees of Majority Leader Dean Skelos. As a result, he is supporting Republican primary candidates to run for the seats now held by Grisanti, Roy McDonald of Saratoga, Stephen Saland of Poughkeepsie and Jim Alesi of Rochester— all of whom supported gay marriage last year.
WASHINGTON — President Obama’s personal embrace of gay marriage could negatively affect his prospects for re-election in subtle ways. But only on the margins, which of course is where close campaigns are won and lost.
A few political developments to discuss with Mom today: • Mayor Byron Brown is wearing a big smile these days as the 2013 election year draws closer.
WASHINGTON — Almost alone, President Obama seemed to have grasped the core problem with college loans last January. Against a backdrop of 4,000 cheering students in maize and blue at the University of Michigan, he proposed that Congress link increases in federal aid to colleges to their ability to rein in college tuition.
Tom Reynolds was reflecting on the death of Conservative Party icon Billy Delmont last week when he underscored a key element of New York’s unique political system. The former Republican congressman from Clarence recalled that his colleagues from around the nation were eternally mystified by New York’s “fusion” voting system that allows Republicans or Democrats to run on a minor-party line without being an official member.
Almost three decades ago, Pope John Paul II, alarmed at the way Liberation Theology was tearing apart the Catholic Church from the left, banned political activism by clergy. Perhaps this pope, Benedict XVI, ought to tell some lay Catholics, purportedly speaking in his name on the right, to cool it.
A few points and counterpoints underscoring the state of politics in Western New York: • Point: In the big 27th District race between Democratic Rep. Kathy Hochul and one of two Republican challengers — Chris Collins or David Bellavia—the Washington Post reports the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (the panel charged with electing more Democrats to the House) has reserved $32 million worth of ad time in about three dozen competitive districts.
Children who are exposed to books benefit immensely. They are more likely to thrive at all levels.
WASHINGTON — As the 747 carrying the retired space shuttle Discovery circled the capital last week, my mind flashed back to the sole encounter I ever had as a reporter with the space program.
Just as the Politics Column highlighted last week, Buffalo and all New York will be watching this year’s presidential campaign from the sidelines as battleground states grab the headlines.
