Originally Posted - September 30, 2006

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Jeanine Pirro is the most popular Republican running for state office because she is the closest candidate to Rudy Giuliani we have running. And most people admire Rudy because we need more of his toughness and resolve in our leaders, law and policy makers that they may preserve all we entrust them to preserve for our heirs and us.

Jeanine has exhibited the toughness and perseverance needed to investigate and pursue corruption in the New York Legislature if she sees fit as Attorney General, much as Elliot Spitzer investigated and dealt with Wall Street corruption while AG (but would not with Legislative corruption), and Giuliani dealt with crime in NYC as mayor.

Expect the 'usual suspects' to be highly motivated to have her fail. She is very passionate about protecting our women and children from violent and/or sexual predators, the story of the struggle to pass tougher legislation in New York is a scandal that dwarfs anything she has been accused of.

http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/052206EmbarrassingSpeaker.html, http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/091406SilverCorruption.html, http://albanysinsanity.com/?p=293, http://www.northcountrygazette.org/articles/061406FewDareSee.html (Unfortunately you will have to go into the archives of the NY Post to access the articles once linked to by these links, but they are great background resources.)

So far the only crime that seems to be involved in Jeanine's latest 'scandal' is that sealed court documents from a Federal investigation were "leaked to the press", so conveniently close to these elections.

Whenever New York Republicans choose to step forward and rally around their most popular candidate over this or future 'scandals', they have all the reason they need to explain and make an issue of the 'special circumstances' that encourage some to target their Attorney General candidate.

Explaining how voters making their sentiments known now, while their legislators are really paying attention might shape future legislation could result in the passage of legislation and policies long over due. Let them choose sides, stand beside us while we finally address these situation, and see if we remember and appreciate you.

We are disserved that more New York Republicans do not exhibit the toughness and resolve of Pirro and Giuliani. Assembly Republicans have an admirable record of struggle for their constituents that could expose their opposition for the opportunists they are, if our legislators would 'get their Giuliani on.'

From school choice, to another 150 much needed charter schools, to civil confinement and Jessica's law; these are issues and struggles that define the difference between parties, candidates and philosophies.

Given the abysmal performance of minority students in public schools compared to charter schools, the crime and violence issues, given the desire by the majority of minority parents and grand parents to have their children succeed, why allow the myths and stereotypes about who is, or is not holding us back persist? As with almost all other families what is more important to us than our children and grand children, and what do you have to loose by exposing the truth?

Which ever side one is on, if you are not tough and resolute enough to stand on the principles that guided your actions, and reap the appreciation earned when you fought for those you represent, perhaps that explains why you are stymied in your efforts year after year to advance certain agendas, at the expense of your constituents.

If Assembly Speaker Silver stalls important legislation (especially legislation that passes the state Senate with near unanimous bi-partisan support) in committee year after year, so you could not vote on it, do you re-elect him the powers of Speaker to do so? Or do you vote to Assembly Speaker someone who will better help you serve your constituents?

Stand and explain your actions and invite your opposition to do the same, and be judged by your constituents, that is how our democratic system is supposed to work. If you support and fight for an issue you should be proud to recount your struggle and explain your actions if they are admirable. If you did not follow important close enough to argue your position, if you only gave important safety issues lip service and followed caucus leaders, you barely fulfilled your responsibilities to your constituents, and may the best candidate win.

Republicans, if you do not unite and use all available resources in the struggle to represent the interests of those who elected you, if you loose your seat to your opposition because you did not fight for it as hard as you could, you do those who trusted and elected you a disservice. If you pass on this window of opportunity to advance the well being of New Yorkers, if you do not expose the obstructionism of your adversaries so they will be pressured by their constituents to do their duty, you do all of New York a disservice.

Your opposition stands and fights for those their base admires, and they have held majority public support in New York for decades. Unity with their base is not the only reason they out number us, but it would not hurt us to take this page from their playbook. Look to the strengths of your adversaries, as well as those in your party who are recognized and respected most by those you seek to represent, and practice what works. 9-30-06

© 2006 North Country Gazette