Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Machine may make end run around Baldeo

From City Hall:

Even as they fight over who should take over Anthony Seminerio’s seat, most of those involved seemed to have reached consensus on who they do not want to see replace the Assemblyman who resigned before pleading guilty to fraud.

“I think one thing everyone can agree on is that nobody wants Al Baldeo,” said one Queens Democrat. “It’s hard to see a scenario where he would be the party’s choice.”

Currently, the seat is slated to go up for election along with the city races on Sept. 15 and Nov. 3. But things might get complicated: Gov. David Paterson has the power not to wait for those elections and act on the vacancy, calling a special election to take place sometime before the November elections. If that happens, there is speculation that Baldeo may not meet the State Constitution’s one-year residency requirement and be disqualified from running until the seat comes up again in next year’s election cycle.

A special election may occur if the party organizations, unhappy with the mix of candidates that survive petitioning, ask Paterson to call for one. TA special election might take place on the same day as the regular elections in November, but would operate under a different set of rules that tosses the petitions and gives each party's county committee the power to choose a candidate for the general election. The governor could make that decision at any time ahead of the elections.


Hey why have a fair contest when you can engineer the result to eliminate the competition?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

It should be a special election. It should be in September. Why would the state spend extra money to have it on a different day? This is not something that came as a surprise,if someone does not meet the qualifications, OH WELL!

Anonymous said...

What has Baldeo ever done for the good of the people? I'm for Mike Miller who has overwhelmingly given his time to such organizations as kiwanis and has been instrumental in making a change in childrens lives. He also has the nowledge on how to handle budgets and is a true community person.

Anonymous said...

The cronies and special interests do not want Baldeo, because he is an independent minded leader, who stands up for the little guy, and gives a voice to constituents. His website shows his commitment to the greater good. I saw how he helped the 25,000 Rochdale residents, for Glendale to get its own zip code, for our kids and seniors.Anyway, we deserve who we get, like the big fat lazy slobs we push in because of our innate prejudices.

Anonymous said...

If the party machine hates Baldeo, then he deserves our vote.

Anonymous said...

Does he volunteer time, or is given a generous dollop of city funding to do these things and build his resume with the community?

And if the pols give him the money to do it, he is their boy.

Anonymous said...

Instead of machinery getting involved, they should allow the voters to pick their candidate. It's a shame for Queens machinery not to acknowledge Baldeo's contribution in getting their hand pick candidates elected over the years.

Anonymous said...

I checked all public records. Baldeo has never received a dime from the federal, state or city governments to carry out his projects or work. It' all done from his own philantrophy. Liz Crowley and the other political hacks should be ashamed of themselves. Baldeo is the breath of fresh air we need to fight for us...

Anonymous said...

looks like Al reads this blog and writes on it too. Miller is the best man for the job!

Anonymous said...

You guys are funny, the machine is crumbling in Queens. They have no choice to support Baldeo, who is anti-machine. Look at Queens machine now:

Monseratte forces out machine favorite Sabini

(the other) Vallone gets Bloomturds endorsement and become favorite

One of the Cohens running is going to take Katz' seat over Klown Kozlowitz

Crowley is going to get stomped by Ognibene

If John Liu loses then Queens Machine will get nothing from shunning one of their own

Anonymous said...

I don't see how Baldeo is anti-machine. I have seen his contributions to the County organization. He also helped Joe Addabbo beat Maltese and Liz Crowley defeat Como. People like him. He stands for hope and change. He should assess why County is treating him like they are. And he should make a decision to take out County candidates, and perhaps Joe Crowley, himself. You don't have to live in Crowley's Congressional district to take him out, Albert. There are a lot of voters-new Americans and fair-minded democrats who hate the machinery for this same type of politics they practise. You all know what I am talking about...