Teddy Roosevelt is one of Rick Lazio's political heroes. As he climbs the ladder of political power in New York state, will the people see a resemblance between the two men? by Mark Vogl
(conservative)
Thursday, June 3, 2010
In 1992 America was in the beginning throes of a populist revolution. The Cold War had ended on Christmas Day, 1991. The Soviet Union had dissolved peacefully. 400 million souls, through out Eurasia, had been liberated from communism. It truly was one of the pivotal events in the twentieth century and in world history.
A monolithic empire with an aggressive ideology that aspired to world domination was dead. It had been defeated by the pugnacious, conservatism of Ronald Reagan. Reagan was not the smartest man to occupy the White House, but he may have been the wisest, at least in the second half of the twentieth century.
The collapse of the Soviet Union altered economic priorities within the United States. On Long Island, huge defense contractors were almost instantly taken from the tit of government contracts. This action, combined with a natural downward trend in the economy shook Long Island. And when the economy teeters...so do the careers of incumbent politicians. In this case it was one of Washington's established liberal Congressman, Tom Downey.
The poor economy on Long Island created a fertile but unwatered field for political upset. But, it would political scandal, in the form of the Congressional Bank scandal...and Downey's intimate involvement in it, which would be his undoing.
Luck has been defined as preparation meeting opportunity. And in 1992 it was Rick Lazio, a young, ambitious, sharp legislator in Long Island's eastern most County, Suffolk, who would be lucky. Raising only one fourth the money spent by incumbent Tom Downey on a focused message attacking Downey's "incumbency" Lazio won an upset victory which sent him to Washington. The victory was unexpected, til the very end.
But winning was not the end of Lazio's luck. Two years later, Newt Gingrich's Contract with America would sweep the Republicans into power in the House of Representatives. And this political landslide would lift Rick Lazio, the second tem Congressman, to powers unimagined just 24 months earlier. Suffolk woul d benefit from Lazio's political fortune.
Lazio spent eight years in Congress, leaving to run for the US Senate .against Hillary Clinton. His luck would not hold out in that race. But the more important thing for the people of New York is the record Lazio earned while in Congress from 1992 to 2000..
Congress is the work horse of the American federal government. The House of the People is literally that. Week in and week out Congressmen and women are on the very front lines of national politics. They interact with some of the most powerful lobby groups?in Washington. But as past Speaker of the House Tip O'Neal said, "All politics is local." Congress people must go home, go to the picnics, and parades, to church and the veterans halls. Though somewhat sheltered, they are the most exposed of federal elected servants they feel the pulse first.
Lazio proved up to the job. He was tireless. His priorities were balanced. He came home. His kids lived on Long Island. He was the people's representative. He hired quality people to staff his district office and he had a strong reputation for constituent service. Lazio won re-election by growing margins and took a Democratic seat to a safe Republican seat.
But for today, for the voters of New York, looking at a state in?fiscal disaster, its Lazio's toughness when dealing with spending issues which should be the focus of their interest. Lazio has proven that he is tough enough to be a fiscal conservative. Rare in New York.
When Lazio lost to Hillary Clinton...who elected her? The state's unions. It was core Democratic constituencies who elected Hillary and took joy in defeating New York's most renown fiscal conservative. When Lazio lost did he look for a political patronage position with the Bush Administration? No he went to work in the capital of America's private sector, Manhattan! Lazio turned as quickly from government as the voters had turned from him. He went to work...in the global economy! And made quite a living at it. He was successful in the game played by the big boys.
Now, Lazio stands offering himself as the leader to bring the Empire State back. And like 1992, the nation is in convulsions against liberalism. In New York, the Great Society has bankrupted the state. Wall Street's performance, and a limping economy are starving the state's treasury. New York's socialism is killing the golden goose, and there is a need for a tough fiscal conservative to grab hold before the entire house of cards collapses.
Lazio has proven he is the man who can do it. Lazio has proven a tough independent streak. He has earned his spurs. New Yorkers have a reputation? as tough business people, the sharpest of the sharp. Will they prove that in this election? Will they look past the names, and see the realness of their choices.?
Andrew Cuomo is the son of one of America liberal icons.?Andrew was born into New York's Democratic machine politics. He is where he is because of his name, and lineage, not because of what he has done. Like Hillary, he is an empty suit when it comes to governing. As Senator Hillary had an Obama-like record of legislation ... nothing. Cuomo is about the same. Not really much meat there to chew.
Lazio's legislative record is there for all to see and study. It reflects a?fiscal toughness, when toughness wasn't cool.
The GOP in New York has done the right thing. They have selected the right man. They have not allowed gamesmanship to dilute the quality of their choice. New Yorkers have five months to see the reality of the men they can choose to lead their state. In this time of crisis and upheaval, will they have the wisdom to choose wisely?
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 20
thumbs so far
The views expressed
in this article are those of Mark Vogl only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
Mark Vogl is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
Granted neither Carl Paladino or Steve Levy are much to smile at either. The endorsement of Lazio shows that the NY Republican Party bosses are just interested in being in power rather than pushing for reduced government. Lazio is the "safe" Republican as opposed to a true small government advocate Warren Redlich and opportunists Paladino and Levy.
