Picking Candidates in Fossella-Land
Here’s something to keep in mind as the fate of Vito Fossella unfolds:
If Fossella steps down before June July 1--and signals about whether he will or not have been mixed--there would a special election, and the candidates will more or less be chosen by the Staten Island County Leaders from both parties, even though the district includes both Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.
The county leaders' choices will be decisive, since it's a weighted vote and Staten Islanders make up about two-thirds of the district as a whole.
"So if the [Democratic] County Leader [in Staten Island] wants one candidate," political consultant Jerry Skurnik told me. "and [Brooklyn Democratic leader] Vito Lopez wants someone else, [Staten Island County Leader John] Gulino can pick who he wants.”
“Theoretically, it can be the county leaders themselves," Skurnik added.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.9
- 43.3
- Obama +3.6
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 52.6
- 34.4
- +18.2
- McCain
- 51.2
- 34.2
- +17.0
thought the date was july 1st?
On the DN Blog, State Senator Diane Savino, really back stabbed her buddy Domenic Recchia. She says now that "all is fair in politics", after she had already but endorsed Recchia against Harrison. What a true Democrat, now that she is thinking of running in the 13 CD. She now says that only a Democrat who lives on Staten Island can win.
All the candidates living on SI were always too afraid of running against Vito, after all they would have to give up their current positions to do so. Now they're stepping over each other for the chance if there is a special. Now you know who your friends are.
Wow. I'd rather have Fossella than Ghoulino in Congress. At least we know Fossella wasn't mobbed up like Ghoulino.