THE FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOVERNOR WHO DUKED IT OUT WITH JOHN KERRY DECIDES TO FOLD 'EM

     (New York, New York)(June 6, 2006) William Weld wussed out today. And New York Republicans are free to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel in November. That's why politics is so interesting. Self-promotion and self-destruction go hand in hand.

     First, Weld. I am no fan of Mr. Weld's and so I view his withdrawal as candidate for governor of New York with sweet satisfaction. Still, I am amazed at how easily and quickly he collapsed personally and wussed out to the moribund Republican Party leadership of New York State.

     Weld has been campaigning for governor since last year. He had big name support, from the incumbent governor and other party luminaries including Henry Kissinger. In New York, each party holds a "state convention," at which candidates appeal for an "endorsement." If a candidate receives 50% of the convention vote he or she is "endorsed" and carries that designation onto the primary ballot. If a candidate receives 25% of the vote, their name is automatically placed on the primary ballot. Otherwise, a candidate has to circulate petitions to get their name on the primary roster.

     Weld claimed the support of Governor George Pataki, who looks in the mirror and sees himself as president. Fortunately, no one else sees him that way. Pataki's support must have been the kiss of death or, perhaps to mix metaphors, it was the icing on the cake of Weld's defeat.

     Weld is wealthy; he had the bucks to carry the fight to Republican voters. He folded. Weld was automatically on the ballot, running against an obscure politician who was amiable and capable but no statewide contender. It was only a few weeks ago that party leaders were saying that John Faso would lead Republicans to a ruinous election defeat. Today they are cheering his ascendancy. Faso is "pro-life."

     What happened?

     I guess Weld's getting old and lost his fire in the belly. No one should run for office if they don’t feel strongly enough about the issues and have sufficient hunger to take their case to the voters. Party hacks are party hacks; even though Weld got 40% of them to endorse him, voters should have chosen the candidate, not hacks.

     As for Republicans in New York, this could be curtains.  For decades they have held on to a power base in the state senate by gerrymandering districts. This could the year the senate falls to Democrats. And Republicans fall out of bed in New York. End. Finis.

     This bluest of blue states is unbelievably liberal. Heck, they elected Hillary Clinton and plan to reelect her by a smashing margin in November and launch her run for the presidency.

     So Republicans nominated an anti-abortion candidate. Hello?

     Abortion is so far down the list of hot button issues for right-wingers that not even George Bush and Karl Rove use it any more. They are on to gay marriage and the "death tax." Abortion issues may burn in the hearts of party faithful, but they are obviously not burning a hole in the polls in Karl Rove's pocket. Or November voters in New York.

     And so, in New York the Republican Party of New York has set itself up to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel, a pro-life barrel.

     Ironically, as Hillary Clinton faces challenges from her left-wing that she is too "soft" on abortion, the Republican right-wing has made her a great gift, and facilitated her transition into the "mainstream" by nominating someone who will allow Democratic candidates, including the ultimate gubernatorial candidate, to label Mr. Faso "outside the mainstream." Sadly, Mr. Faso may be in the Republican Party mainstream; that's why he is going over Niagara falls in a barrel on election day. Elections are won by broadening the base, not narrowing it.

     Pandering. Polarization. Self-promotion. And for Mr. Weld, self-pity. He surrendered. He wouldn't fight. The WASP aristocrat laid down his arms to an Italo-American. Who would fight. Bye bye Weld. Too bad you had to go. You won't be missed. Not by me. Not by anyone.