My second Republican caucus I got to sit at the table - and what a view it was! Politics never gets boring in New Paltz. I went in believing that my remarks as a candidate would be the most memorable part of the night to me, but the place really heated up, and it wasn't because the room was packed.
Although outnumbered by the Democrats in the room, the Republicans were mostly hesitant not to vote for one of their own. Randall Leverette and Ray Lunati got the nod for Town Council over Jean Gallucci and Kevin Barry, both former Republicans who switched registration to Democrat because that's how non-thinking voters in this town usually vote.
The nomination of Peter Cordovano for supervisor came as a surprise to many, although more than one person told me that they believed it was orchestrated some time ago. I thought Peter looked genuinely surprised, but the theory was that his nomination was made to protect Toni Hokanson. Peter would win because Republicans prefer GOP candidates, and then after he declined the committee to fill vacancies would appoint Toni to the line.
I don't buy it. Why? Because if Peter is that convincing an actor (he really seemed stunned), he would not have waffled when he was asked if running and serving would have an impact on his law practice. That waffling was honest, and I'm sure it cost him at least the one vote he fell short. If this had been rehearsed, he would have acted shocked, then recover, and speak with confidence when he accepted instead of saying, "I think I'll do it."
It may well be that Peter would have decided running on short notice was foolhardy, and that the committee (of which he was a member, as well as chairman of the caucus, before his nomination) would have selected Toni. Maybe Diane Lucchesi even had that in mind, although she said she nominated him out of a desire for a Republican candidate for the job. But I don't believe he was in on it.
Politics? Sure. Conspiracy? Bah!
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Showing posts with label Republican Caucus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Republican Caucus. Show all posts
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
New Paltz Republican Caucus Results 2011
New Paltz Republican Caucus Results -unofficial
Contested races:
Town Supervisor
Democrat Susan Zimet 28
Republican Peter Cordavano 27
Democrat Toni Hokanson 14
(personally, I thought in the spirit of democracy they should have done a two-way run off)
Town Board
Winners: Republicans Randall Leverette & Ray Lunati
Losers - Democrats Kevin Barry & Jean Galluci
Contested races:
Town Supervisor
Democrat Susan Zimet 28
Republican Peter Cordavano 27
Democrat Toni Hokanson 14
(personally, I thought in the spirit of democracy they should have done a two-way run off)
Town Board
Winners: Republicans Randall Leverette & Ray Lunati
Losers - Democrats Kevin Barry & Jean Galluci
Thursday, June 2, 2011
My Republican Dilemma
I joined the Republican party a couple of years ago. I wasn't satisfied with my previous registration, largely due to my own ignorance about that party's positions, and I decided to start shopping around for one that fit me better. I don't subscribe to the idea that political parties are inherited on faith like religions (okay, I don't subscribe to that idea for religions, either), but I opted to join the party of my parents to make an informed decision. The fact that Republicans have a reputation for villainy also factored in, because whenever it becomes socially acceptable to bash a group, I want to know more.
So last year I went to the New Paltz Republican caucus for the first time, and it was suggested that I nominate Mike Nielson for Highway Superintendent. He didn't take the line, but his actions since would make any fiscal conservative proud, especially considering that one longtime member told me afterwards, "Let's see if your boy Nielson can do the work with his full-time job in Kingston." It was certainly a splashy way to enter into party politics.
Nevertheless, I regret doing it, and I won't do it again.
As I told Nielson recently, if we're going to have party politics, let's have party politics. Although my nomination failed, at least two registered Democrats ran on the Republican line for town positions last year. I don't think that's right.
There are good reasons for a candidate to want his or her name on more than one line. And with the timing of local caucuses - this year both are expected to be in August - it makes sense to try for as many as possible, to avoid that awkward feeling when your own party gives the nod to someone else. It's legal and it's appropriate.
It also undermines democracy.
In college, I made it a habit of running for the main leadership role of a club I belonged to every year. I never wanted the position, but it bothered me that only one candidate was willing to step up. That's not democracy by any measure I understand, even if it works in countries like China and Russia. Democracy is about choice, and not just the choice of which line to vote for Toni Hokanson on.
I'm a thinking voter, and I do my best to choose a candidate based on qualifications. I've never voted a party line in my life. Many people do vote their party line, though, and don't care about choices, because they only see their preferred row. These folks are also done a disservice, because in their ignorance they can cast a vote for someone who isn't a member of their own party.
So my dilemma is that there are some good candidates in this town who I may vote for in November, but whom I won't be supporting come the caucus because they belong to another party, and in my mind belong on another line. But New Paltz is a town virtually run by a cabal which excludes not only Republicans, but many Democrats and virtually all members of other parties.
In short, there's no qualified Republicans willing to step up. No one willing to help me, to help us have a choice.
To curtail any suggestions to the contrary, I have a career I love which requires me to be out of town when most local meetings are held. That alone makes me an inappropriate candidate for any local elected office, so I can't step up and put my money where my mouth is.
I'd like to shake the trees, though, and help find some willing citizens to take a stab at civic duty. New Paltz has too long been bereft of choice on Election Day, and I for one would very much like to help solve that problem at the Republican caucus by casting a vote for a GOP candidate or two.
So last year I went to the New Paltz Republican caucus for the first time, and it was suggested that I nominate Mike Nielson for Highway Superintendent. He didn't take the line, but his actions since would make any fiscal conservative proud, especially considering that one longtime member told me afterwards, "Let's see if your boy Nielson can do the work with his full-time job in Kingston." It was certainly a splashy way to enter into party politics.
Nevertheless, I regret doing it, and I won't do it again.
As I told Nielson recently, if we're going to have party politics, let's have party politics. Although my nomination failed, at least two registered Democrats ran on the Republican line for town positions last year. I don't think that's right.
There are good reasons for a candidate to want his or her name on more than one line. And with the timing of local caucuses - this year both are expected to be in August - it makes sense to try for as many as possible, to avoid that awkward feeling when your own party gives the nod to someone else. It's legal and it's appropriate.
It also undermines democracy.
In college, I made it a habit of running for the main leadership role of a club I belonged to every year. I never wanted the position, but it bothered me that only one candidate was willing to step up. That's not democracy by any measure I understand, even if it works in countries like China and Russia. Democracy is about choice, and not just the choice of which line to vote for Toni Hokanson on.
I'm a thinking voter, and I do my best to choose a candidate based on qualifications. I've never voted a party line in my life. Many people do vote their party line, though, and don't care about choices, because they only see their preferred row. These folks are also done a disservice, because in their ignorance they can cast a vote for someone who isn't a member of their own party.
So my dilemma is that there are some good candidates in this town who I may vote for in November, but whom I won't be supporting come the caucus because they belong to another party, and in my mind belong on another line. But New Paltz is a town virtually run by a cabal which excludes not only Republicans, but many Democrats and virtually all members of other parties.
In short, there's no qualified Republicans willing to step up. No one willing to help me, to help us have a choice.
To curtail any suggestions to the contrary, I have a career I love which requires me to be out of town when most local meetings are held. That alone makes me an inappropriate candidate for any local elected office, so I can't step up and put my money where my mouth is.
I'd like to shake the trees, though, and help find some willing citizens to take a stab at civic duty. New Paltz has too long been bereft of choice on Election Day, and I for one would very much like to help solve that problem at the Republican caucus by casting a vote for a GOP candidate or two.
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