John Podhoretz to Carl Paladino: Get Serious!
John Podhoretz gets rough on Carl Paladino in the New York Post today, but in itself represents a remarkable compliment: John, who knows New York politics in deep detail, believes Paladino is worth smacking around because Paladino has a chance.
Yesterday was certainly the best day of your short political life, with the Quinnipiac poll putting your longshot Republican candidacy for governor within a mere six points of Andrew Cuomo.
Even more important, the poll had Cuomo under 50 percent -- a frightening bit of data for him....
But here's the thing: Loose cannons don't win come-from- behind victories in general elections....
The time for games is over. Bone up. Talk policy. Hire somebody good and make decent commercials.
Above all, don't get personal with Cuomo. If you continue to show decently in the polls, he'll find it impossible not to get personal with you.
Every word of that sounds right. Paladino already has New Yorkers' attention. Now he needs to earn their respect.
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Jul '10
Re: John Podhoretz to Carl Paladino: Get Serious!
I dunno, Peter
If New Yorkers were all that interested in policy, they never would have elected Cuomo, Bloomberg or Spitzer. New York voters are dumb consumers; they just go with the name brand.
Paladino needs to hold Cuomo up to ridicule. New Yorkers love a "Lo, the mighty have fallen" story.
Yes, Paladino needs to put out a firm, bold set of policies.
But he also needs to put a pin in the Cuomo balloon.
Aug '10
Re: John Podhoretz to Carl Paladino: Get Serious!
John, who knows New York politics in deep detail, believes Paladino is worth smacking around because Paladino has a chance.
I find it interesting to compare this piece on Carl Paladino to his recent piece on Christine O'Donnell. He gives sound advise to Paladino in the hope that Paladino might prevail. Regarding O'Donnell, he explains why she is such a hard sell.
I do not know if this fervent anti-incumbent mood is a correction or an earthquake. It is certainly a rising tide.
A rising tide lifts all boats, but not all those boats are seaworthy. Just because the boat is painted red does not mean it is watertight.
This anti-incumbent mood has drawn out many ambitious canidates: some are fine people who would serve us well, others are simply unfit for office.
I believe fitness trumps ideology. Most of my squishy blue rhino-ness is based in cowardice and a desire to get along. But the best part of it is a refusal to pretend anyone with an R after their name deserves my vote.
Jul '10
Re: John Podhoretz to Carl Paladino: Get Serious!
It's good advice in general, but getting serious does not mean toning down the rhetoric. Getting better people to craft the message with more wit and intelligence is a good idea, but he should not let up on his attacks of Cuomo being a privileged, corrupt opportunist who has no business being elected as the governor of New York. I agree with Kenneth that the people of New York want to stick it to the Man, and as long as the Paladino campaign can continue convincing more and more voters that Cuomo is The Establishment incarnate, he will win the day. I say again, do not tone it down, but ratchet it up in an intelligent fashion and then keep the momentum steady through to November 2.
Jul '10
Re: John Podhoretz to Carl Paladino: Get Serious!
Again I agree with Kenneth.
Which election has John Podoretz won?
Louie Mungaray
John, who knows New York politics in deep detail, believes Paladino is worth smacking around because Paladino has a chance.
I find it interesting to compare this piece on Carl Paladino to his recent piece on Christine O'Donnell. He gives sound advise to Paladino in the hope that Paladino might prevail. Regarding O'Donnell, he explains why she is such a hard sell.
That's because one has different plumbing than the other.
Jun '10
Re: John Podhoretz to Carl Paladino: Get Serious!
Count me in with those who think candidates need to talk to the American people like adults. This seems to be a real weak point for Democrats and other elitists whose condescending attitude is now so obvious that even the most politically disengaged voter is paying attention. I'm not qualified to offer more, but I think my suggestion is a good starting point.
Sep '10
Re: John Podhoretz to Carl Paladino: Get Serious!
It seemed a bit Gergenesque and dated to me. Paladino has toned it down (for example, on NPR the other day). And while it's decent advice to attract voters like John Podhoretz, getting that demographic in a state that is 2-to-1 Democratic will get you nowhere.
Paladino does have detailed plans that he has publicized. Guess what? So does Cuomo. And most people are not going to take the time to dig through the details of either.
The responses that I have received from people about Paladino is that a) he's funny, b) he will cut spending by 20% and taxes by 10%, and c) they believe he will do what he says.
Cuomo has been smart enough to say all the right things but he's a humorless scold, and he's lying.
Paladino's chance lies in revving the Republican base, and attracting Independents. And those groups are outside of Podhoretz's wheelhouse.
May '10
Re: John Podhoretz to Carl Paladino: Get Serious!
As I thought (and actually wrote to Rick Lazio's campaign), I think much of the problem with NY state politics is that both the media, and the public think it is beneath them; that being in NY, and especially in/near "world city" NYC means that only national, and international politics are worth caring about.
Paladino's hopes (as well as those of Senate candidate Joe Dioguardi) are in a combination of anger at Dems, and apathy that keeps Dem voters at home.
Hope it works.
Sep '10
Re: John Podhoretz to Carl Paladino: Get Serious!
ParisParamus: Paladino's hopes (as well as those of Senate candidate Joe Dioguardi) are in a combination of anger at Dems, and apathy that keeps Dem voters at home.
Hope it works. · Sep 24 at 8:32am
I completely agree. Do you have a feel for how energized the Dems are for Cuomo?
I also wonder how much of an impact Chris Christie is having on potential Cuomo supporters.
Cuomo - like Obama - is a scold. Having to sit and listen to either one of them for more than an hour sounds like one of the circles of hell.
Is there any evidence Cuomo is becoming no-longer fashionable?