October 05, 2005
Another NY politics post
UPDATE: I'm a doofus and I've appalled Von Bek with my error. Pataki ran on the Conservative line and got over 5%, Ognibene should be allowed to debate. I hope you're not all as appalled as Von Bek that I actually make mistakes.
There's some discussion about Thomas Ognibene, the conservative candidate for mayor of NYC, potentially being forced out of a debate (which Mayor Bloomberg is not participating in anyway) because he's not polling over a certain level. Conservatives are annoyed, completely illogically in my opinion. For one thing, polls will always have a margin of error. Even if Ognibene was at 5%, which he's not, I don't see how that matters. What matters is how the party, in this case the Conservative Party, did in the last election for Governor. And, of course, they were nowhere with no candidate at all. If Golisano can debate, why can't Audrey Silk, the Libertarian candidate (a party that did have a candidate in the last Gov race) or whatever crazy the Working Families Party is putting up?
I had a friend who was mad that Ralph Nader didn't get to debate in 2000, but of course didn't care whether Pat Buchanan or Harry Browne shared the stage as well. The fact is that if we let Nader debate then, or Ognibene debate now, you open the field to every candidate who can commission some pollster to get them the 5% they need to be in. We can't make exceptions just because the we favor the candidate. I mean, imagine wackjob Christopher Brodeur in the debate. He's still running on some third party line and he got an astonishing 4% in the Democratic primary, proving both that people will vote for any dumbshit with his name on the ballot and that the 5% marker should be taken seriously.
So, conservatives, I'm not telling you not to support Ognibene but remember that when you fight for also-rans to be included to debates, they won't always share your views and can muddle up the entire process.
Posted by Karol at October 5, 2005 12:53 PM | TrackBackTechnorati Tags: NYC+Mayoral+Debate Thomas+Ognibene Christopher+Brodeur Third+Parties Audrey+Silk Michael+Bloomberg
First, I'm a little stunned by your apalling mistake in New York politics. The Conservative Party of NY State did endorse a candidate in 2002. His name was George Pataki and he pulled 176,848 votes. See:
http://www.elections.state.ny.us/elections/2002/general/2002_gov.pdf
It may not be CNN but it is the offical election results of the State of New York.
I have a slightly different opinion. If a candidate is getting taxpayer dollars for his campaign, they should be allowed to take part in debates. As long as we are funding them, we should hear what they have to say.
Posted by: Von Bek at October 5, 2005 02:37 PMHa. My 'appalling' mistake 'stunned' you. Hysterical much?
My bad, Pataki was the C candidate in which case Ognibene should be allowed to debate and this post is pointless. I couldn't remember if Pataki got the C line and my limited research showed he had not.
Posted by: Karol at October 5, 2005 02:41 PMHysterical ? Nah, just addicted to purple prose.
Posted by: Von Bek at October 5, 2005 02:43 PMGod forbid we let the unclean from either side muddle up this glorious and beautiful process that pits two Democrats against one another.
If you're on the ballot and people can vote for you and you're willing to play by the debate rules, you should be allowed in the debates. Plain and simple. Even Bernie Goetz and his pet squirrel should be allowed to debate.
Of course, someone who is now in the pocket of one of the major parties (ahem) is likely to disagree with the unsightlies ruining the show.
Posted by: ken at October 5, 2005 03:47 PMKen, that's really dumb. Do you understand how many candidates that would be? While you're ok with watching a pet squirrel, most realistic people who don't harbor fantasies about single women winning the presidency would just tune the debate and the process out. It actually would be worse for third parties because any remotely serious third party candidate would be lumped in with the rest of the kooks.
And, oh yeah, I'm sooooo in the pocket of the Republicans. Wooo, look at me, in this wool pocket here. Now, where's my money?
Posted by: Karol at October 5, 2005 03:59 PM"I'm a doofus and I've appalled Von Bek with my error. Pataki ran on the Conservative line and got over 5%, Ognibene should be allowed to debate. I hope you're not all as appalled as Von Bek that I actually make mistakes."
No, I just have a very high opinion of you and a lot of respect and affection for you.
Posted by: Von Bek at October 5, 2005 04:01 PMHey, just because you waste all your money on jacuzzis don't take it out on me.
Posted by: ken at October 5, 2005 04:49 PMFor those who want to know how many candidates will be on the ballot for Mayor this year, it's eight. That's a large Field.
Bloomberg - Republican,Liberal/Independence
Ferrer - Democrat
Ognibene - Conservative
Silk - Libertarian
Koppel - Socialist Workers
McMillan - Rent is Too Damn High
Blum - Education
Gronowicz - Green
This year's election info can be found here, the Vote NYC site.
I think 8 is a lot.
I believe that if a candidate is filing with the CFB, raises a minimum amount of cash, it doesn't matter what % they get. If they meet the requirements, more power too them. Perhaps the reason they aren't heard is mainly the media. Ross Perot had the money to buy his time on TV, not everyone can do that. But if they are following the election rules, then why not. Let them be heard. If they don't, then they should sit out.
PS. Broudeur I believe was supposed to be on the ballot under the Rebuild Party, but he's not listed in the PDF file.
