Tag Archives: andrew cuomo

Ending months of delay that drew criticism from some fellow Democrats, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is planning to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for president, a person familiar with his plans told The Associated Press.

De Blasio is expected to make his endorsement official in the coming weeks and likely before a December presidential forum in early-voting Iowa put together by a political group founded by the mayor, according to the person, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter before the announcement and who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

De Blasio managed Clinton’s successful 2000 Senate campaign and has close ties to the ex-secretary of state and her husband, the former president, both of whom sat on stage for his 2014 mayoral inauguration.

Despite that, de Blasio had hesitated to back Clinton. The mayor said repeatedly that he wanted to hear more from Clinton on certain issues — namely income inequality — before he would offer his endorsement.

That left some Democrats accusing him of putting his own goals of becoming a national liberal leader ahead of party unity or loyalty to the Clintons.

“It’s not clear to me that a town hall meeting in the cornfields of Iowa has anything to do with the quality of life of everyday New Yorkers,” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said earlier this fall, questioning the mayor as he offered his own endorsement of Clinton.

De Blasio has publicly been inching toward the endorsement in recent weeks. He had praised her stances on a number of issues, including criminal justice reform and, earlier this month, her opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.

“I think she’s running a very good campaign because her vision is getting stronger and stronger,” de Blasio said recently. “There are a few more areas I want her to flesh out in her vision, but I think she’s been doing a great job.”

A spokesman for Clinton confirmed that aides for the candidate and the mayor have held discussions but declined further comment. News of those talks was first reported by Politico.

Earlier Monday, Clinton’s camp announced the support of 100 leaders from New York. De Blasio’s name was not on the list, though most prominent New York politicians, including the mayor’s frequent rival Gov. Andrew Cuomo, were on the roll call.

De Blasio founded The Progressive Agenda Committee, which is largely comprised of left-leaning politicians and activists, this spring to call attention to issues such as paid sick leave, universal prekindergarten and reining in the national debt. It is holding a forum for presidential candidates Dec. 6 at the University of Iowa.

None of the candidates have officially committed to attending the forum, though some — including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley — have previously expressed interest. The Clinton spokesman declined to say whether she would attend.

Environment, News, Progressive

New York Gov. Cuomo announces fracking ban

December 17, 2014 Wisconsin Gazette Leave a comment

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Dec. 17 that hydraulic fracturing will be banned in New York, following the release of a long-anticipated study that concluded fracking could pose “significant public health risks.”

Also today, the Long Island Power Authority Board of Trustees voted to approve only a fraction of the renewable energy projects promised by the governor, bringing just 122 megawatts of new solar projects online and falling short of the 280 megawatts of renewable energy the governor committed to this year.

After Cuomo’s announcement, Deborah Goldberg, the managing attorney with Earthjustice, said, “This is truly a monumental day. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has earned a place in history. Never before has a state with proven gas reserves banned fracking. I believe that future generations will point to this day and say ‘This is when the tide began to turn against the dirty, dangerous and destructive fossil fuel industry.'”

Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune said the national group “applauds Gov. Cuomo for recognizing what the science has made consistently clear: fracking is a hazard to human health that endangers communities wherever it is allowed. By banning fracking, Gov. Cuomo has set himself apart as a national political leader who stands up for people, and not for the interests of the dirty fuel lobby. Today’s decision will shake the foundations of our nation’s flawed energy policy, and we can only expect that it will give strength to activists nationwide who are fighting fracking in dozens of states and hundreds of cities and counties.”

Brune said “passionate anti-fracking activists in New York” were “relentless in telling the truth about the dangers of fracking, persevered years of opposition from the oil and gas lobby, and ultimately prevailed. All we need now is for New York to bring wind, solar, and energy efficiency to full potential so we can leave dirty fuels in the ground and move quickly to clean energy prosperity.”

Julia Walsh of Frack Action added, “On behalf of millions of New Yorkers, we would like to thank the governor for his leadership and keeping his word in listening to the science and protecting the health and safety of New Yorkers over the special interests of the oil and gas industry. The science on fracking has been clear. The toxic drilling process would threaten our health, poison our water and air, and forever mar New York as hundreds of health professionals and medical organizations have told us. This decision will affect New York for generations to come. We now look forward to making New York the renewable energy capital of the United States, leading the nation to a better, brighter future.”

Some background on the issue:

> Physicians, Scientists & Engineers for Healthy Energy recently released a statistical analysis of the approximately 400 peer-reviewed studies to date on the impacts of fracking and shale gas development. It showed:

• 96 percent of all papers published on health impacts indicate potential risks or adverse health outcomes.

• 87 percent of original research studies published on health outcomes indicate potential risks or adverse health outcomes.

• 95 percent of all original research studies on air quality indicate elevated concentrations of air pollutants.

• 72 percent of original research studies on water quality indicate potential, positive association, or actual incidence of water contamination.

> Concerned Health Professionals of NY recently released an updated compendium of the scientific, medical and media findings demonstrating the risks and harms of fracking, with the pace of new studies rapidly expanding — the first few months of 2014 saw more studies published on the health effects of fracking than all studies published in 2011 and 2012 combined.

> A new NYPIRG report released this week showed how local municipalities aren’t suited to decide about fracking because of failed ethics and transparency laws. It revealed that some local governments adopted pro-fracking resolutions despite possible conflicts of interest and failure to provide adequate public notice.

Goldberg, who represented the Town of Dryden, New York, in its precedent-setting fracking ban case, said on Dec. 17 that New Yorkers won a hard-fought victory. “Now all New Yorkers can enjoy the safety and peace of mind that the 80 New York communities that have banned fracking already have,” she said. “We hope that this determined leadership Governor Cuomo has displayed will give courage to elected leaders throughout the country and world: fracking is too dangerous and must not continue.”

News, Political

How they run: The 2016 presidential checklist

June 19, 2014 Wisconsin Gazette Leave a comment

Here’s a look at the who, what, when and where of the 2016 presidential contest at the cusp of summer. Why? Because more is going on than you might think two years from the event.

To those who might run, 2016 is the day after tomorrow and there’s no time to waste.

For almost a year, The Associated Press has been tracking movements and machinations of more than a dozen prospective presidential candidates.

They are, for the Democrats, Vice President Joe Biden, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo; for the Republicans, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Latest twists and turns:

NONDENIAL DENIAL: Cagey words that cloak presidential ambitions, none too convincingly.

Democrats

Biden: “If I decide to run, believe me, this would be the first guy I talk to. But that decision hasn’t been made, for real. And there’s plenty of time to make that.”- April, CBS, in joint interview with President Barack Obama.

Clinton: “I just want to get through this year, travel around the country, sign books, help in the midterm elections in the fall and then take a deep breath and kind of go through my pluses and minuses.” – June, ABC. Said Republican criticism of her handling of the Benghazi episode gives her “more of a reason to run.”

Cuomo: “I’m sorry, I’m losing you. We have a technical difficulty. I’m running for governor of the state of New York.” – Seeming not to hear a question about his presidential intentions. February, Fox Business Network.

O’Malley: “No one ever goes down this road, I would hope, without giving it a lot of consideration and a lot of preparation and a lot of thought work, and so that’s what I’m doing.” – February, speaking to reporters in Baltimore.

Republicans

Bush: “I can honestly tell you that I don’t know what I’m going to do.” – His standard disclaimer. Says he’ll decide by year’s end whether to run. One factor in his decision: Whether he can run an optimistic campaign and avoid the “mud fight” of politics.

Christie: “I’m certainly thinking about it, but I won’t make any decision until 2015, and I’ve got a job to do.” – End of May, to reporters in Tennessee. Also: “It’s a lifetime away until 2016.”

Cruz: “My focus is entirely on working for Texans in the U.S. Senate.” – February. He said that not in Texas or in the Senate but in the important presidential primary state of South Carolina.

Jindal: “It’s something that we’re certainly thinking about and we’re praying about. My wife and I, we won’t make any decisions until after the November elections.” – May, after addressing Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans.

Paul: “We’re definitely talking about it, my family is talking about it. I truly won’t make my mind up until after the 2014 elections. But I haven’t been shy in saying we’re thinking about it.” – March 9, Fox News.

Perry: “I’d be fibbing to you if I told you I knew what I’m going to be doing.”- May, in Iowa. Says he’ll decide in January.

Rubio: “It’s something I’ll consider at the end of this year.” – May, on ABC. Does he feel ready to be president? “I do, but I think we have other people as well.”

Ryan: “Janna and I are going to sit down in 2015 and give it the serious … conversation, consideration that are required for keeping our options open. But right now I have responsibilities in the majority in the House of Representatives that I feel I ought to attend to, and then I’ll worry about those things.”- March, CBS.

Santorum: “I don’t know if I can do this. It’s just tough.” – April, AP interview. Timing of decision? “A year at least, probably.”

Walker: “I’m really focused on 2014, not getting ahead of the game. … You guys can predict all you want.” – January, CNN.

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WRITING A BOOK: The perfect stage-setter for a campaign season, just ask Barack Obama (“The Audacity of Hope,” 2006; “Dreams from My Father,” 2004)

Democrats

Biden: No, not since before 2008 election.

Clinton: Yes. Splashy tour for “Hard Choices,” released in June, puts her front and center.

Cuomo: Yes, coming in 2014.

O’Malley: No. “I’m not sure where I’d find the time for that.” It’s probably only a matter of time before he finds time.

Republicans

Bush: Yes, on immigration.

Christie: No.

Cruz: Yes, book deal disclosed by his agent in April.

Jindal: Not since before 2012 election.

Paul: No, not since just before the 2012 election.

Perry: Not since before 2012 election.

Rubio: Yes, coming in late 2014 from the publisher of his 2012 memoir.

Ryan: Yes, coming in 2014.

Santorum: Yes, “Blue Collar Conservatives” released in late April, says: “Do Republicans really care less about the person at the bottom of the ladder than Democrats do? To be painfully honest, I would have to say in some ways `yes.'”

Walker: Yes, out in fall 2013.

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GO TO IOWA: Its caucuses are the opening act of the nomination contest.

Democrats

Biden: Yes, spoke at Sen. Tom Harkin’s fall 2013 steak-fry fundraiser, a must-stop for many Democrats seeking to compete in the leadoff caucuses. Then in May, attended party for Iowans who came to Washington for annual lobbying trip. Raised money for Iowa congressional candidate Jim Mowrer. Schmoozed with Iowa power brokers during 2013 inauguration week in Washington.

Clinton: No, avoiding big primary/caucus states. But Ready for Hillary is mobilizing for her in the state.

Cuomo: No.

O’Malley: Yes, mid-June events. Headlined Harkin’s 2012 fundraiser.

Republicans

Bush: Has been holding off on splashy visits to early voting states but hosted spring fundraiser May 22 in Florida for Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. Attended 2012 economic development meeting in Iowa.

Christie: Summer visit expected. Can test his theory that “they love me in Iowa, too.” Hosted New Jersey fundraiser for Branstad in May. More travel driven by politics in the cards now that he’s chairman of Republican Governors Association for 2014 election year. Campaigned in Iowa in 2012.

Cruz: Oh yes, four visits in eight months, and on tap to join several other prospects at August Christian conservative event.

Jindal: Yes, state GOP conference in June. Also, summer 2013 visit, then flew with Iowa governor to governors association meeting in Milwaukee. In Iowa seven times in 2012.

Paul: Yes, state GOP conference in June, after three visits in 2013. In March, snagged the state GOP chairman, who announced he was quitting to join Paul as an adviser.

Perry: Yes, three times in six months, more ahead in July and August. Campaigned for Senate hopeful Matt Whitaker in late May and promised to return often for Branstad’s campaign. Visited Des Moines suburbs and Davenport in February, meeting GOP activists and attending an event sponsored by Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity. Met Branstad and addressed Des Moines crowd of 400 in November.

Rubio: Yes, just days after 2012 election, but has been largely holding off on a new wave of trips to early voting states. That’s changing.

Ryan: Yes, was keynote speaker for Iowa GOP’s big fundraising dinner in Cedar Rapids in April. Main speaker at governor’s annual birthday fundraiser in November 2013, in first visit since 2012 campaign.

Santorum: Yes, state GOP conference in June, earlier visit with strategists and media. Also August 2013 speech to conservative Christians in state where he won the 2012 caucuses. Screened his new Christmas movie in Iowa in November.

Walker: Yes, fundraiser last year.

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GO TO NEW HAMPSHIRE: Nation’s first primary comes after Iowa and is just as important.

Democrats

Biden: Yes, raised money for three Democrats in March visit for job-training event. Quipped: “I’m here about jobs – not mine.”

Clinton: No. But Ready for Hillary has sent people there this year.

Cuomo: No.

O’Malley: Yes, spoke at Democratic Party dinner in November, returned in June. Also spoke at 2012 convention of New Hampshire Democrats.

Republicans

Bush: No.

Christie: It’s been awhile. June visit scheduled. Visited three times in 2012.

Cruz: Yes, three times since August.

Jindal: Yes, keynote speech to local Republican organization in March, headlined state GOP fundraiser in 2013, visited twice in 2012.

Paul: Yes, addressed Freedom Summit in April. Won straw poll at March meeting of Northeast Republican Leadership Conference in Nashua. Several visits last year.

Perry: No, but had group of 13 conservative leaders from the state to Texas for private meeting in May.

Rubio: Yes, splashy debut in May, first visit of the 2016 season, headlining fundraisers, meeting local officials, giving interviews. Multiple visits before 2012 election.

Ryan: Yes, headlined Manchester fundraiser in February for former House colleague. Canceled October 2013 visit because of government shutdown.

Santorum: Yes, March speech to Northeast Republican Leadership Conference marked his return to a state where he performed weakly in 2012 campaign.

Walker: Yes, headlined a GOP state convention in October 2013, keynote at state party convention in September 2012.

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DON’T FORGET SOUTH CAROLINA: First Southern primary and big in its own right.

Democrats

Biden: Yes. In May, gave commencement speech at University of South Carolina and headlined Democratic fundraiser, first visit since he spoke at state party’s annual fundraiser a year earlier. Several earlier visits since 2009.

Clinton: No, but things are stirring. At a May meeting in Columbia partly sponsored by Ready for Hillary, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine urged Democratic women to “think about pledging your support right now” to ensure she has “millions of us ready to take the field with her” if she runs.

Cuomo: No.

O’Malley: Yes, in May to campaign for state Sen. Vincent Sheheen, Democratic candidate for governor. Also made a 2013 speech to Democratic activists.

Republicans

Bush: Yes, 2012 speech.

Christie: Summer visit expected, to raise money for Gov. Nikki Haley. Came in 2012 on behalf of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney.

Cruz: Yes, speech at The Citadel military college in April was third visit in a year, following event with religious conservatives in November and speech to annual state GOP dinner last May.

Jindal: Yes, made third visit in a year in June, as keynote speaker at state GOP’s biggest gathering, the Silver Elephant dinner.

Paul: Yes, foreign policy speech at The Citadel military college and small GOP fundraiser in Charleston in November 2013 visit; headlined several fundraisers earlier in year.

Perry: Yes, two-day visit in December 2013, addressed state GOP. In August, raised money for Gov. Nikki Haley’s re-election campaign.

Rubio: Yes, headlined 2012 Silver Elephant dinner.

Ryan: Yes, in 2012 campaign.

Santorum: Yes, April GOP event at The Citadel military college, where two sons are cadets. Campaigned in April 2013 for Curtis Bostic in GOP House runoff race; Bostic lost.

Walker: Yes, attended August 2013 fundraiser for Haley, who came to Wisconsin to campaign for him in 2012 recall vote.

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GO ABROAD: Helps to give neophytes foreign policy cred, and Israel is a touchstone for U.S. politicians.

Democrats

Biden: You bet. Took in World Cup soccer in Brazil in June as part of his ninth trip to South or Central America since 2009. Attended June inauguration of Ukraine’s new president. Eastern Europe in May. Ukrainian capital in April to symbolize U.S. commitment to new government in its struggle against pro-Russian insurgents and threatening signals from Moscow. Long at forefront of Obama administration’s diplomatic maneuvers with Kiev. Sent to Poland and Lithuania in March to reassure NATO allies anxious about Russia’s annexation of Crimea. December 2013 visits to China, Japan and South Korea. Countless trips to Iraq and Afghanistan during first term.

Clinton: Another globe-trotter, nearly 1 million miles as secretary of state. Limited overseas travel in 2013: honorary degree at St. Andrews University in Scotland in September; trip to London in October for a diplomacy award and a fundraising concert for the family’s foundation. Attended memorial services for Nelson Mandela in South Africa in December. Several engagements in Canada. Trip to Oxford, England, for daughter’s graduation in May.

Cuomo: Doesn’t get around much. Israel twice in 2002.

O’Malley: Yes, considerable. Israel last year for a second time as governor; also visited there as Baltimore mayor. Also Denmark, Ireland, France, Brazil and El Salvador in 2013. Asia in 2011, Iraq in 2010.

Republicans

Bush: Yes, usually several overseas trips a year. Three times to Israel since 1980s.

Christie: Yes, Israel and Jordan in 2012.

Cruz: Yes, Ukraine in May, meeting leaders of the protest movement that ousted pro-Russian president. Visited Israel, Ukraine, Poland and Estonia to meet various leaders on the same trip. Has been to Israel two other times since 2012, including as part of Senate Republican delegation that went to Afghanistan, too.

Jindal: January 2014 trade and investment mission to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, first time overseas as governor. Canada in August 2013 to speak to oil industry about his support of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Paul: Yes, Israel and Jordan in 2013.

Perry: Yes, has visited Israel numerous times including an October trip that included a photo op with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meeting Cabinet members and a separate stop in London to see British officials and financial leaders.

Rubio: Yes, visited the Philippines, Japan and South Korea in January, foreign policy speech in London in early December and Israel, Jordan, Palestinian Authority, Afghanistan in February 2013. Also went to Israel after 2010 election to Senate.

Ryan: Yes, Middle East during congressional career; visited troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Santorum: Scant foreign travel while in the Senate drew notice in 2012 GOP campaign.

Walker: Yes, China in 2013 trade mission.

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MEET THE MONEY: To know donors now is to tap them later.

Democrats

Biden: Yes, headlined fundraiser for Democrats in late May at San Francisco home of billionaire Tom Steyer, a leading Democratic donor. Is actively fundraising for Democratic committees and candidates in 2014 midterms. Regularly schmoozes contributors at private receptions.

Clinton: Can tap deep well of Democratic and activist money. Former President Bill Clinton’s vigorous fundraising for Democratic candidates further expands that potential source of donors for her. She’s been raising money for Clinton foundation. The super PAC Ready for Hillary has raised nearly $6 million since its founding last year to support a candidacy. Priorities USA said in January it will back Clinton if she runs, signaling support from senior members of President Barack Obama’s campaign team. Prominent bundlers such as Hollywood moguls Jeffrey Katzenberg and Haim Saban have indicated their support.

Cuomo: Flush coffers for 2014 governor’s race.

O’Malley: Yes, has many bases covered as one of the party’s top fundraisers. Raised more than $1 million for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign and in December ended his year as finance chairman for the Democratic Governors Association.

Republicans

Bush: Yes, addressed well-heeled crowd at Manhattan Institute, led by GOP benefactor Paul Singer, in May. Flew to Las Vegas in March to meet GOP super-donor Sheldon Adelson and address Republican Jewish Coalition at Adelson’s company airport hangar. In February, his short video for a GOP fundraiser at Donald Trump’s Palm Beach, Florida, estate was a bigger hit than Cruz’s keynote speech. Party in summer of 2013 for his immigration book at home of Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets and a leading Republican bundler. Has longtime Wall Street connections.

Christie: Yes, his year as GOP governors chairman gives him regular access to GOP’s top national donors as he raises record sums to help candidates. Some big donors, though, question whether he’s still a viable prospect after scandal surfaced over politically motivated traffic tie-ups in New Jersey. Addressed Romney’s Utah retreat drawing together donors and establishment-focused policy people. Was among a handful of high-profile Republicans to meet with super-donor Sheldon Adelson in Las Vegas at his resort casino in late March. Followed up with more Jewish donors at New York event attended by Adelson in May. Courted donors for his re-election campaign in 2013 national tour, when Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg hosted an event at his Palo Alto home.

Cruz: Yes, met in March with top California conservative donors and keynoted Trump fundraiser. Has list of potential donors that’s still growing after he collected more than 1.5 million signatures for the online petition “Don’tFundObamaCare,” which he began in 2013.

Jindal: Yes, met leading GOP donors in New York City, as most GOP prospects do over time. Among prospective candidates who visited Iowa GOP donor Bruce Rastetter’s farm in August 2013 for annual fundraiser for the governor.

Paul: Yes, headlined luncheon in April at Boston-area equity firm led by Romney’s former national finance chairman and Romney’s oldest son, Tagg, an event that drew together the 2012 presidential candidate’s inner circle. Also attended Romney’s 2014 and 2013 Utah retreats. Has met GOP donors in New York City.

Perry: Yes, friendly with big donors nationwide as former head of Republican Governors Association and has strong contacts both with grass-roots activists and mainstream GOP donors after so many years in office in Texas. In May, attended Manhattan Champions of Jewish Values event with mega-donor Sheldon Adelson and Christie. Has led many job-poaching missions in big states with Democratic governors and met donors privately during those trips, especially in New York and California.

Rubio: Yes, aggressive national fundraising outreach, including trips to New York and California to meet potential donors. Raised more money last year than potential rivals Ted Cruz and Rand Paul. Among a handful of possible candidates to attend September 2013 event at home of Woody Johnson, New York Jets’ owner and Romney’s 2012 national finance chairman.

Ryan: Yes, attracts Wall Street interest. Addressed GOP donor Paul Singer’s Manhattan Institute at same May event that heard from Bush. Had a follow-up reception with Singer and Woody Johnson. Attended Romney’s 2014 and 2013 Utah retreats, has money connections from 2012 campaign.

Santorum: 2012 shoestring campaign was largely fueled by a super political action committee to which Republican donor Foster Friess gave more than $2 million.

Walker: Yes. Addressed Republican Jewish Coalition at a Las Vegas gathering in March where main attraction was Adelson, who’s looking where to place his bets in GOP field. Headlined 2013 fundraisers in New York and Connecticut.

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NETWORK LIKE MAD: Taking their case to ideologues, activists and party heavyweights who hold great sway in nomination race.

Democrats

Biden: And how. Says he plans to campaign in more than 100 races in the 2014 election. Meets regularly with former Senate colleagues and congressional Democrats. Gives keynote speeches at annual state Democratic Party dinners across the country. Making calls for House Democrats’ campaign organization, assisting in recruitment of candidates. Campaigned for new Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey. Speaks regularly to special interests.

Clinton: Frenetic pace of book tour has a distinct campaign feel. In May, attended her first political event of the year, a fundraiser for Pennsylvania congressional primary candidate Marjorie Margolies, mother-in-law of Chelsea Clinton (Margolies lost). A steady presence now on the speaking circuit, delivering paid speeches to industry groups and conferences and appearing before college crowds and groups with ties to the Democratic coalition.

Cuomo: Sparingly. Rarely leaves New York.

O’Malley: Yes. Busy season, with speeches to Democrats in California in March, Wisconsin in April, Massachusetts in May, Iowa in June, Nebraska in July, more. “I’m going to do quite a bit more traveling this summer … supporting like-minded Democrats in states with important races,” he wrote in a May fundraising letter from his political action committee. Was Democratic governors’ chairman for two years until December 2012.

Republicans

Bush: Doing more this year politically after a long period of “a little self-restraint.” Already a GOP establishment favorite; House Speaker John Boehner has been nudging him to run. Recent travels to Tennessee, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas. Endorsed GOP establishment favorites in North Carolina Senate and California governor primaries. Skipped Conservative Political Action Conference in March, after giving keynote speech to the influential group a year earlier.

Christie: Yes, more than 20 out-of-state appearances in at least states as chairman of GOP governors group. Bolstering his political network in important primary states. Spring speech pleased activists at Conservative Political Action Conference, which snubbed him last year because he’d been too chummy with President Barack Obama in Superstorm Sandy’s aftermath. Addressed Republican Jewish Coalition spring meeting in Las Vegas, spending a full day with top donors and GOP operatives.

Cruz: Yes, vigorously. Gave well-received speech and won presidential straw poll at Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans in late May. Was among headliners of Western Republican Leadership Conference in Utah in April, the same month he addressed the NRA’s April leadership forum by video. Addressed Conservative Political Action Conference in March, after landing group’s coveted keynote role in 2013. Addressed 2012 Republican National Convention before he was even elected to the Senate.

Jindal: Big time and small time, far and wide. Addressed South Carolina GOP dinner as well as Iowa convention in June, May commencement address at Liberty University in Virginia, a familiar stop for prospective candidates. Addressed NRA annual leadership forum in April, Conservative Political Action Conference in March, also in 2013. Made time for fundraiser for local sheriff in Michigan. Altogether, has spent much of his time during six years as governor on the road, talking to GOP and activist groups, supporting Republican candidates and promoting achievements. Has close ties with social conservatives. Created political action committee to help conservative candidates running for Congress, giving him continued opportunities to network nationally.

Paul: Yes, and now roaming freely beyond tea party tent. Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell used Paul’s testimonials in primary campaign that beat back a tea party challenger. Paul had private audience in April with Romney advisers from 2012 campaign, is helping Republicans across political spectrum, including moderate Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, and has pitched in with party leaders to heal divisions from last campaign. Had spring speeches at Harvard and University of California. Generated buzz and won symbolic straw poll at Conservative Political Action Conference in March.

Perry: Yes, interrupted by cries of “Run, Rick, run!” while addressing Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans in May, following recent appearances in Florida and Pennsylvania. That speech went better than last summer, when he mistakenly referred to being in Florida during a RedState Gathering event in New Orleans. Also spoke at past two Conservative Political Action Conferences.

Rubio: Yes, stepping it up. Private audience with Republican National Committee in Memphis in May, right after his New Hampshire trip. Earlier outreach to conservative and party activists focused on repairing tea party relationships strained over immigration. Well-received speech to Conservative Political Action Conference in March. In Virginia governor’s race, campaigned for Republican Ken Cuccinelli, who lost. Speech to National Rifle Association in April; also foreign policy speech at University of Texas, more.

Ryan: Yes, prime networker as 2012 vice presidential candidate; now helping fellow House members raise money. One of several prospective candidates at Romney’s June retreat.

Santorum: Addressed NRA convention in April; speeches to groups around the country, including Conservative Political Action Conference. His Christian-themed film company is his calling card with religious conservatives.

Walker: One of only a few 2016 prospects who spoke to Republican Jewish Coalition. Skipped the big Conservative Political Action Conference in March, appeared there last year. Campaigned for GOP in Virginia governor’s race. Spoke to Michigan Republican Leadership Conference on Mackinac Island in September 2013.

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HOG THE TV: Achieving national recognition by sermonizing on the Sunday news shows, or going for soft questions and easy laughs on late-night TV.

Democrats

Biden: He’s back. After being largely absent from the airwaves for more than a year, Biden has resumed frequent interviews, including joint TV appearance with Obama in April. He did a TV blitz the morning after the State of the Union, a CNN interview aboard an Amtrak train and dished on his skin care routine and his wife’s oddball pranks during an interview with Rachael Ray. But not a Sunday news show fixture.

Clinton: She’s back. Doing high-wattage interviews to promote her book and herself, starting with prime-time ABC interview that was timed to book’s release. Was largely absent from airwaves before that. But showed up for Barbara Walters’ last taping of “The View” in May. Late-night TV host Jimmy Kimmel interviewed her at Arizona State University in March. Sat down with Walters, who named her the “Most Fascinating Person of 2013” in December. Appeared jointly with Obama on CBS’s “60 Minutes” early in 2013.

Cuomo: No. Prefers radio.

O’Malley: Getting back in the swing. January 2014 Sunday news show appearance on CNN was first in months, followed by CBS in February.

Republicans

Bush: Blanketed the five Sunday shows one day in March 2013 to plug his book on immigration, a few appearances other times.

Christie: He’s back, too. Shook a leg on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in June, marking his return to late-night TV, where he liked to cut up before the traffic scandal surfaced and made him keep his head low. Last year, tended to avoid the usual sober circuit – most conspicuously, the Sunday news shows – although he appeared on four of them the day after his 2013 re-election.

Cruz: Yes, now a mainstay on Sunday news shows. Frequent guest on Fox News and CNN.

Jindal: No, only a couple of Sunday news show appearances since 2012 election.

Paul: Leader of the chattering pack with more than a dozen Sunday talk show appearances since 2012 election, including one in April from New Hampshire. Frequent guest on news networks, especially Fox.

Perry: Making many national TV appearances while starring in flood of media spots to persuade businesses in Democratic-led states to move to Texas. On NBC’s “Meet the Press” in May: “I’m going to be across the country talking about red-state versus blue-state policies. Hopefully engaged in a good, thoughtful, winsome conversation about how do we make America more competitive.”

Rubio: Staying on par with most rivals in Sunday news show appearances, did one from New Hampshire in May. Blanketed all five Sunday shows one day in April 2013 to talk about immigration, before he dropped the subject. Frequent guest on news networks.

Ryan: Many Sunday news show appearances since 2012 election. Occasional guest on network news.

Santorum: Yes, promoting his new book. Plugged his Christmas movie on “The Colbert Report,” Fox News, MSNBC and more. Radio, too. Teamed up with Democrat Howard Dean as sparring partners for debates on the air and with audiences.

Walker: Already on the Sunday news show scoreboard for 2014. Half dozen or so Sunday news show appearances since 2012 election. Also, Piers Morgan, Lou Dobbs, more national TV interviews.

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ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING: For voters who want to support doers, not just talkers.

Democrats

Biden: Leading Obama’s review of federal job-training programs, prime player in U.S. response to Ukrainian crisis. His office co-chaired a White House task force to address sexual assault on campuses. Point man on gun control, which failed. Negotiated fiscal cliff deal.

Clinton: Record as secretary of state, senator and first lady. Recent initiatives to help children’s health and education and status of women.

Cuomo: 2014 budget proposal calls for tax cuts for businesses, homeowners and renters. In 2013, pushed through nation’s first gun-control law after the Newtown, Connecticut, school massacre. Led New York’s effort to legalize same-sex marriage in 2011. Minimum wage boost, on-time budgets, teacher standards.

O’Malley: Toughened gun laws, repealed death penalty, saw voters approve gay marriage after he got behind legislation to approve it, set up a framework to develop offshore wind power, won legislative approval in April of minimum wage increase, a 2014 priority.

Republicans

Bush: As Florida governor, revamped state educational system, cut taxes, managed state through hurricanes.

Christie: Won November 2013 re-election, becoming first Republican to earn more than 50 percent of New Jersey vote in quarter-century. Led state’s response to Superstorm Sandy. Agreed to expand state’s Medicaid program under the new health law while some other Republican governors have refused to do so. Vetoed a bill that would have sanctioned gay marriage but declined to appeal a court ruling that legalized it. Facing massive state budget deficit, proposed slashing pension fund payments over the next year to balance budget.

Cruz: Leading force in dispute that partly shut the government, 21-hour Senate speech against Obama’s health law. Argued before U.S. Supreme Court nine times, eight of those while he was Texas’ longest-serving solicitor general, between 2003 and 2008.

Jindal: Privatized much of Louisiana’s Medicaid program, shrank public hospital system, signed statewide voucher program that covers private school tuition for certain students. Signed abortion restrictions, fought liberalization of adoption law, making it impossible for gay couples to adopt jointly. Hurricane and Gulf oil spill disaster response.

Paul: One-man, nearly 13-hour Senate filibuster to protest drone policy put him at forefront of civil liberties debate.

Perry: “Texas Miracle” job-creation boom saw state create a third of net new jobs nationwide for 10 years ending in 2013, although Texas has disproportionately high percentage of hourly workers earning minimum wage or less. Helped muscle through new abortion restrictions.

Rubio: Broker of Senate immigration overhaul, though he’s gone quiet on the issue. Early leader of effort to link financing of health care law to government shutdown. Working with anti-abortion groups on Senate version of bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks.

Ryan: Negotiated December 2013 bipartisan budget deal that scaled back across-the-board spending cuts, drawing contrast with potential rivals who opposed it. Budget-hawk record to be judged on. Emerging as influential moderate on immigration.

Santorum: Making Christian-themed, family-friendly movies at the moment; record from Senate days.

Walker: Curbs on public service unions became national flashpoint, but he won the effort – and the recall election that followed.

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TAKE A NATIONAL STAND: Effective state governance is nice but leaders must build national stature on issues of the day.

Democrats

Biden: Eclectic. Guns, violence against women, gay rights, veterans.

Clinton: Eclectic. 2013 speeches focused on the economy, housing, opportunities for women, voting rights. Avoided taking a position on Keystone XL pipeline when asked about it after Toronto speech in June.

Cuomo: Environmentalists nationally and the energy industry are closely watching his pending decision whether to allow fracking in upstate New York counties near the Pennsylvania line.

O’Malley: The liberal checklist: more spending on education, infrastructure, transportation; supports same-sex marriage, immigration reform, repealing death penalty, pushes environmental protections.

Republicans

Bush: Unapologetic proponent of Common Core education standards and immigration changes opposed by many in GOP.

Christie: Moderate on the reach and functions of government; bipartisanship.

Cruz: Anti-Obama’s health care law, pushes broader tea party agenda.

Jindal: A record of privatization to show he means government should be trimmed, happy to carry a social conservative banner.

Paul: Tea-party plus, with a libertarian streak that places him to the left of rivals on some issues, to the right on others. Fiscal conservative, criticizes surveillance state. Says GOP should back off on pushing state voter ID laws offensive to blacks. Health law scold. Joining in 2014 with liberal lawmakers and others in effort to roll back some mandatory minimum sentences and give judges more flexibility in fitting punishment to crime.

Perry: In June, likened homosexuality to alcoholism as a condition that can be controlled, bringing a sharp rebuke from Christie. Perry said that, for example, “I may have the genetic coding that I’m inclined to be an alcoholic, but I have the desire not to do that, and I look at the homosexual issue the same way.” Prominent voice on conservative issues since before the birth of the tea party. Wants to ban all abortion in Texas, relax environmental regulations, boost states’ rights.

Rubio: Proposes higher retirement age for Social Security benefits for younger workers and restraints on benefit increases to the wealthy. 2014 initiative on poverty calls for federal wage supplements for some low-wage workers instead of earned income tax credit. Economy, abortion, tea party fiscal conservatism; immigration liberalization if he decides to get back to it. Another voice against health care law. Has become a leading GOP voice in foreign policy, pressing for stronger U.S. action in geopolitical hot spots. On climate change: “I do not believe that human activity is causing these dramatic changes to our climate the way these scientists are portraying it.”

Ryan: Cutting spending, taking on entitlements, rolling back Obama’s health law. Anti-poverty initiative this year.

Santorum: Social conservative activism goes way back. Focus on blue-collar economic opportunity. Speaking against libertarian streak in GOP, a “strain of conservatism that has no basis in conservatism.” Book calls climate change “hyped-up crisis.”

Walker: Fiscal stewardship, from a GOP point of view. Tough guy against the unions and liberal defenders of the status quo. Says GOP in Congress is the party of no.

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BAGGAGE TO CHECK: It’s never too early to deal with skeletons in the closet; rivals will be rattling them soon enough.

Democrats

Biden: Flubs, fibs, age. Deflection: “I am who I am.” Saddled by Obama’s low approval ratings.

Clinton: Age, Benghazi and the politics of being a Clinton. Republicans are already raising questions – if not innuendo – about her health. GOP strategist Karl Rove suggested she may have suffered health problems more serious than acknowledged in her concussion and hospitalization in 2012, bringing rebukes from her husband and advisers. Deflection: She laughed off Rove’s comments and said she has no lingering effects from her “serious concussion.” GOP wants to pin blame on her for vulnerability of U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya that came under deadly attack in 2012. In long-confidential documents from Bill Clinton’s administration, advisers urged her to “be real” and “humanize” herself, revealing concerns about her authenticity as a public figure.

Cuomo: New York economy is dragging, his poll numbers have sunk, went through public and bitter divorce with Kerry Kennedy, daughter of late Sen. Robert Kennedy, in 2005.

O’Malley: State-run health insurance exchange website was an expensive bust, prompting officials to make an embarrassing switch in April to one based on Connecticut’s. Contraband- and drug-smuggling scheme at state-run Baltimore City Detention Center that resulted in 44 people being indicted has state lawmakers looking to make reforms. Has record of raising taxes that could be challenged by less liberal Democrats, never mind Republicans.

Republicans

Bush: The Bush factor. Does the country want a Bush dynasty after presidents George H. W. and George W.? Courting trouble with the right with positions on education and remarks in April that people who cross into the U.S. illegally are doing so as an “act of love” for their families.

Christie: If you have to declare “I am not a bully,” you’ve got a problem. Apologized in January 2014 for highway lane closures apparently ordered by his aides as retribution against a mayor who did not endorse him for re-election. Also fired his deputy chief of staff and denied knowledge of the machinations. Episode deepened questions about what Christie, or those around him, will do to win and contributed to a significant drop in his poll standings. Investigations continue. Blamed state’s budget mess on Democrats, creating some wear and tear on his reputation as a bipartisan figure.

Cruz: Reputation as a hotheaded upstart, also part of his appeal. Polarizing within his party. Also comes with birther baggage: Questions have been raised in some quarters about his constitutional standing to become president because of his birth in Canada, to a Cuban father and American mother. Deflection: Renounced Canadian citizenship.

Jindal: Ambitious plan to replace state’s personal and corporate taxes with higher sales taxes flopped, delivered dud of a speech when given juicy platform of responding to Obama’s first presidential address to Congress in 2009. Deflection: Poking fun at himself. Jindal administration’s award of a $200 million Medicaid contract is under investigation by state and federal grand juries.

Paul: Dear old dad: Must move beyond Ron Paul’s fringe reputation. Bridge-burning in Congress endears him to tea party, could bite him otherwise. Deflection: GOP outreach to minorities. The Washington Times canceled his column after he was found to have used passages from other people in his speeches and writings as if they were his own. Deflection: Promising proper citations and footnotes for his pronouncements “if it will make people leave me the hell alone.”

Perry: “Oops!” Memories of his stumbling 2012 campaign, a quick progression from a front-runner to flameout. Deflection: Owns up to his “botched efforts” in last campaign. Also a potential drag: a grand jury investigation in Austin into whether he abused power by cutting off state financing for an office of public corruption prosecutors led by a Democrat who refused to resign after being convicted of drunken driving.

Rubio: Rift with tea party constituency on immigration, “a real trial for me.” Deflection: Go aggressive on a matter of common ground, which he did in pledging to take apart the health law. And stop talking about immigration. Response to Obama’s 2013 State of the Union speech was remembered only for his clumsy reach for water. Deflection: Made fun of himself.

Ryan: Budget axe cuts both ways – catnip to conservatives but people want their Medicare. Carries stigma of 2012 election loss as running mate. Tea party not happy with his late 2013 budget deal. Comments in March about cultural “tailspin” in inner cities struck some as veiled racism. Deflection: Called his remark “inarticulate.”

Santorum: Overshadowed by newer conservative figures. Deflection: Being overshadowed means being an underdog, and he can thrive at that. Feisty 2012 campaign became the biggest threat to Romney’s march to the nomination. New book contains provocative passages for future rivals to dredge up.

Walker: Some things that give him huge appeal with GOP conservatives – taking on unions, most notably – would whip up Democratic critics in general election. Wisconsin has lagged in job creation. Release of emails in February shed light on criminal investigation into whether Walker’s aides were illegally doing campaign work for the 2010 governor’s election while being paid as county employees. Walker, then a county executive, wasn’t charged but the episode has proved a distraction.

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RUN SHADOW CAMPAIGN: One way to run without running is to have a political action committee to promote ideas or other candidates for office, or to hire advisers who can switch to a campaign when the time comes.

Democrats

Biden: Constrained by his current job but tapped longtime adviser and former lobbyist Steve Ricchetti to be his new chief of staff; maintains close contact with political advisers past and present.

Clinton: Ready for Hillary super PAC set up by supporters is laying groundwork, so are others. Several old Clinton hands are advising the group, including Craig T. Smith and Harold Ickes.

Cuomo: Overshadowed by Clinton’s shadow campaign. Considered a likely contender if Clinton ends up not running.

O’Malley: Set up a PAC called O’Say Can You See and hired two people for fundraising and communications.

Republicans

Bush: He’s a Bush, so he’s got connections. Sally Bradshaw, chief of staff when he was governor, is his go-to political person.

Christie: Republican Governors Association chairmanship allows him to grow his national profile with voters and party officials with regular travel and key appearances. Began building broad coalition of donors through his national fundraising tour in spring 2013. But the shadow of the traffic scandal still hangs over his shadow campaign.

Cruz: Has leadership PAC, Jobs Growth and Economic Freedom. Has been one of the largest beneficiaries of Jim DeMint’s Senate Conservatives Fund and has gotten millions of dollars and grassroots logistical support from the Club for Growth, FreedomWorks and Ending Spending PAC. Heritage Action PAC helped sponsor Cruz’s summer anti-health-law trip around Texas and country.

Jindal: Created Washington-based nonprofit, America Next, in October 2013 to push policy ideas nationally. For executive director, tapped Jill Neunaber, who worked on Romney’s presidential campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire. In March created PAC to help conservative candidates.

Paul: Has formidable leadership PAC called Rand PAC, has maintained ties to father’s political network in early primary states and benefits from strong tea party support. Is starting to build teams on the ground in most states.

Perry: Created Americans for Economic Freedom PAC in fall 2013 to raise his profile again, help him test the waters and broadcast ads promoting Republican leadership around the country. Group used more than $200,000 left over from the PAC that raised millions for his 2012 campaign.

Rubio: Beginning more aggressive travel to early voting states, has lagged potential rivals on that front. Ramping up in other ways, too: Shuffled his staff and directed political resources of his Reclaim America PAC to three big Senate midterm races this year, one of them the GOP primary in Iowa.

Ryan: His Prosperity Action PAC. Questions remain about whether he will make a presidential bid given his rising influence in Congress.

Santorum: Keeps in touch with chief supporters of his winning 2012 Iowa caucus campaign, giving him a leg up on a campaign organization in that state.

Walker: Consults with top Republican governor strategists such as Phil Musser and Nick Ayers.

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GET WITH IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: A must for spreading ideas, poking competitors, raising money, organizing events and showing a personal side, though often a very canned version.

Democrats

Biden: Launched Instagram account in April. Not active on Facebook, occasional contributor to his office’s vigorous Twitter account.

Clinton: About 1.4 million followers on Twitter, her preferred social media outlet. Tweets photos of her posing with Republican Sen. John McCain, members of the Russian feminist protest group Pussy Riot, more. Tweets that grandmother-to-be is “my most exciting title yet!”

Cuomo: Few if any personal tweets; Facebook also generated primarily by staff.

O’Malley: On Twitter, standard governor’s fare but promotes rare appearances by his Celtic rock band, O’Malley’s March, for which he sings and plays guitar, banjo and tin whistle. Posted photo of himself playing banjo in downtown Annapolis in May. On Facebook, his PAC-generated page is more active than official governor’s account.

Republicans

Bush: Tweets and posts many Wall Street Journal stories, education thoughts and some Bush family doings.

Christie: More engaged in Twitter (“It was great to be able to visit with the owners of Rossi’s Rent-A-Rama in Ortley today.”) than Facebook.

Cruz: Active on Facebook and Twitter, much content is pumped out by staff.

Jindal: Active on Twitter and on Facebook, where he lists among favorite books, “John Henry Newman: A Biography,” about recently canonized British cardinal and sage. Also favors James Bond movies.

Paul: Aggressive. Bragged on Twitter last year that he’d attracted more than 1 million likes for his Facebook page, where he listed his own books as his favorites.

Perry: Active. One popular tweet was accidental – from his pocket, he said – and consisted of “I.” Followers jumped in to complete his sentence. One offered: “I … really like Obamacare.” (He doesn’t.) Facebook appears staff-generated.

Rubio: Aggressive, with large followings, appears to make personal use of Twitter more than staff-generated Facebook. Takes lots of shots at the health law. On Facebook, lists “Pulp Fiction” movie and “The Tudors” historical fiction TV series among favorites.

Ryan: King of Facebook among potential rivals in both parties, with nearly 4.9 million likes. Seeks $10 donations for “Team Ryan” bumper stickers for his PAC and kisses a fish. Posts photo of Obama with his feet up on Oval Office desk. Commanding presence on Twitter, too, via an account associated with his PAC and another as congressman.

Santorum: Active on Twitter and Facebook.

Walker: Posts vigorously on Facebook and on his Twitter accounts. Many exclamation points. “Glad USDA is keeping cranberries on school menus. I drink several bottles of cranberry juice each day!” Promotes policy achievements and his TV appearances, reflects on sports, pokes Obama.

Associated Press writers Ken Thomas and Josh Lederman in Washington; Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland; Tom Beaumont in Des Moines, Iowa; Steve Peoples in Boston; Michael Virtanen in Albany, New York; Will Weissert in Austin, Texas; Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Erik Schelzig in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed to this report.

National, News

Who’s jumping through which hoops for 2016

December 27, 2013 Wisconsin Gazette Leave a comment

ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING: For voters who want to support doers, not just talkers.

Democrats:

Joe Biden: Point man on gun control, which failed. Lots on foreign policy. Negotiated fiscal cliff deal. December 2013 trip to Asia put him front and center in regional dispute over China’s new air defense zone.

Hillary Rodham Clinton: Record as secretary of state, senator and first lady.

Andrew Cuomo: Pushed New York’s legalization of gay marriage, first gun-control law after Newtown, Conn., school massacre. Minimum wage boost, on-time budgets, teacher standards.

Martin O’Malley: Toughened gun laws, repealed death penalty, saw voters approve gay marriage after he got behind legislation to approve it, set up a framework to develop offshore wind power.

Republicans:

Jeb Bush: As Florida governor, revamped state educational system, cut taxes, managed state through hurricanes.

Ted Cruz: Leading force in dispute that partly shut the government, 21-hour Senate speech against Obama’s health law. Texas’ longest-serving solicitor general argued before U.S. Supreme Court nine times.

Chris Christie: Won November 2013 re-election, becoming first Republican to earn more than 50 percent of New Jersey vote in a quarter century. Led state’s response to Superstorm Sandy. Agreed to expand state’s Medicaid program under the new health law while some other Republican governors have refused to do so. Vetoed a bill that would have sanctioned gay marriage, but declined to appeal a court ruling that legalized it.

Bobby Jindal: Privatized much of Louisiana’s Medicaid program, shrank public hospital system, signed statewide voucher program that covers private school tuition for certain students. Signed abortion restrictions, fought liberalization of adoption law, making it impossible for gay couples to adopt jointly. Hurricane and Gulf oil spill disaster response.

Rand Paul: One-man, nearly 13-hour Senate filibuster to protest drone policy put him at forefront of civil liberties debate.

Rick Perry: “Texas Miracle” job-creation boom has seen state create a third of the net new jobs nationwide over last decade, although Texas has disproportionately high percentage of hourly workers earning minimum wage or less. Helped muscle through new abortion restrictions.

Marco Rubio: Broker of Senate immigration overhaul, though he’s gone quiet on the issue. Early leader of effort to link financing of health care law to government shutdown. Working with anti-abortion groups on Senate version of bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks.

Paul Ryan: Negotiated December 2013 bipartisan budget deal that scaled back across-the-board spending cuts, drawing contrast with potential rivals who opposed it. Budget-hawk record to be judged on. Emerging as influential moderate on immigration.

Rick Santorum: Making Christian-themed, family-friendly movies at the moment; record from Senate days.

Scott Walker: Curbs on public service unions became national flashpoint, but he won the effort — and the recall election that followed. Court decision pending on a challenge to a key provision of that law.

TAKE A NATIONAL STAND: Effective state governance is nice but leaders must build national stature on issues of the day.

Democrats:

Biden: Eclectic. Guns, violence against women, gay rights, veterans.

Clinton: Eclectic. Recent speeches have focused on the economy, housing, opportunities for women, voting rights.

Cuomo: Environmentalists nationally and the energy industry are closely watching his pending decision whether to allow fracking in upstate New York counties near the Pennsylvania line.

Republicans:

Bush: Education, immigration, economy.

Christie: Moderate on the reach and functions of government; bipartisanship.

Cruz: Anti-health law, tea party agenda.

Jindal: A record of privatization to show he means government should be trimmed, happy to carry a social conservative banner.

Paul: Tea party plus. Fiscal conservative, criticizes surveillance state. Praised Supreme Court gay marriage ruling as one that avoids “culture war.” Health law scold.

Perry: Prominent voice on conservative issues since before the birth of the tea party. Wants to ban all abortion in Texas, relax environmental regulations, boost states’ rights; opposes gay marriage.

Rubio: Economy, abortion, tea party fiscal conservatism; immigration liberalization if he decides to get back to it. Another voice against health care law.

Ryan: Cutting spending, taking on entitlements, rolling back Obama’s health law.

Santorum: Social conservative activism goes way back. Focus on blue-collar economic opportunity.

Walker: Fiscal stewardship, from a GOP point of view. Tough guy against the unions. Says GOP in Congress is the party of no.

BAGGAGE TO CHECK: It’s never too early to deal with skeletons in the closet; rivals will be rattling them soon enough.

Democrats:

Biden: Flubs, fibs, age. Deflection: “I am who I am.”

Clinton: Benghazi, Libya; polarizing when political, age. GOP wants to pin blame on her for vulnerability of U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya that came under deadly attack.

Cuomo: New York economy is dragging, his poll numbers have sunk, went through public and bitter divorce with Kerry Kennedy, daughter of late Sen. Robert Kennedy, in 2005.

O’Malley: A record of raising taxes that could be challenged by less liberal Democrats, never mind Republicans.

Republicans:

Bush: The Bush factor. Does the country want a Bush dynasty after presidents George H. W. and George W.?

Christie: The fat factor and man dates with Obama and Bill Clinton.

Perry: “Oops!” Memories of his stumbling 2012 campaign, a quick progression from a front-runner to flameout. Deflection: Poked fun at himself for forgetting in a GOP debate one of the federal departments he would close as president, Energy.

Ryan: Budget axe cuts both ways — catnip to conservatives but people want their Medicare. Carries stigma of 2012 election loss as running mate. Tea party not happy with his late 2013 budget deal.

Santorum: Overshadowed by newer conservative figures, conceivably out-popes the pope on some social issues. Deflection: being overshadowed means being an underdog, and he can thrive at that. Feisty 2012 campaign became the biggest threat to Romney’s march to the nomination.

Walker: Some things that give him huge appeal with GOP conservatives — taking on unions, most notably — would whip up Democratic critics in general election. Wisconsin near bottom in job creation.

Democrats:

Biden: Constrained by his current job, but tapped longtime adviser and former lobbyist Steve Ricchetti to be his new chief of staff; maintains close contact with political advisers past and present.

Clinton: Ready for Hillary super PAC set up by supporters is laying groundwork. Several old Clinton hands are advising the group, including Craig T. Smith and Harold Ickes

Cuomo: Overshadowed by Clinton’s shadow campaign. Considered a likely contender if Clinton ends up not running.

O’Malley: Set up a PAC called O’Say Can You See and hired two people for fundraising and communications.

Republicans:

Bush: He’s a Bush, so he’s got connections. Statehouse lobbyist Sally Bradshaw, chief of staff when he was governor, is his go-to political person.

Cruz: Has leadership PAC, Jobs Growth and Economic Freedom. Has been one of the largest beneficiaries of Jim DeMint’s Senate Conservatives Fund, and has gotten millions of dollars and grassroots logical support from the Club for Growth, FreedomWorks and Ending Spending PAC. Heritage Action PAC helped sponsor Cruz’s summer anti-health law trip around Texas and the country. Chief of staff Chip Roy ghost-wrote Perry’s 2010 book about federal overreach.

Christie: New Republican Governors Association chairmanship allows him to grow his national profile with voters and party officials with regular travel and key appearances. Began building broad coalition of donors through his national fundraising tour in spring 2013. Hired senior Romney media mind Russ Schriefer in late spring.

Paul: Has leadership PAC called Rand PAC, maintains ties to father’s political network in early primary states.

Rubio: Expects to begin more aggressive travel to early voting states in 2014. Reclaim America PAC led by former deputy chief of staff, Terry Sullivan, veteran of South Carolina politics, expected to be active behind GOP candidates across country in 2014 midterms.

Ryan: His Prosperity Action PAC.

Santorum: Keeps in touch with chief supporters of his winning 2012 Iowa caucus campaign, giving him a leg up on a campaign organization in the state.

Walker: Consults with top Republican governor strategists such as Phil Musser and Nick Ayers.

GET WITH IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA: A must for spreading ideas, poking competitors, raising money, organizing events and showing a personal side, though often a very canned version.

Democrats:

Biden: Not active on Facebook, occasional contributor to his office’s vigorous Twitter account.

Clinton: Nearly 1 million followers on Twitter, her preferred social media outlet.

Cuomo: Few if any personal tweets; Facebook also generated primarily by staff.

O’Malley: On Twitter, standard governor’s fare but promotes rare appearances by his Celtic rock band, O’Malley’s March, for which he sings and plays guitar, banjo and tin whistle. On Facebook, his PAC-generated page is more active than official governor’s account.

Republicans:

Bush: Tweets and posts many Wall Street Journal stories, education thoughts and some Bush family doings.

Christie: More engaged in Twitter (“It was great to be able to visit with the owners of Rossi’s Rent-A-Rama in Ortley today.”) than Facebook.

Cruz: Active on Facebook and Twitter, poses with a hunting rifle on his campaign accounts and in the usual suit and tie with flag backdrop on his Senate accounts. Much content is pumped out by staff.

Paul: Aggressive. Bragged on Twitter in June that he’d attracted more than 1 million likes for his Facebook page, where he lists his own books as his favorites.

Perry: Active. One popular tweet was accidental — from his pocket, he said — and consisted of “I.” Followers jumped in to complete his sentence. One offered: “I … really like Obamacare.” (He doesn’t.) Facebook appears staff-generated. Calls himself a presidential candidate, apparently a leftover from last campaign.

Santorum: Active on Twitter and Facebook, where he relentlessly plugs his new movie, gives away tickets and goes after the health law.

Walker: Posts vigorously on Facebook and on his Twitter accounts. “Wow is it cold out.” Many exclamation points. “Glad USDA is keeping cranberries on school menus. I drink several bottles of cranberry juice each day!” Promotes policy achievements and his TV appearances, reflects on sports, pokes Obama.

National

Civil rights museum to be built in Harlem

February 25, 2013 Wisconsin Gazette Leave a comment

Plans are under way for New York State’s first civil rights museum to be built in Harlem.

The plans were announced earlier in Februry by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The officials said the museum will be built on a stretch of 125th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Lenox Avenue/Malcolm X Boulevard. Officials say the Museum of the Urban Civil Rights Experience will use Harlem as a lens through which to view the wider civil rights experience in cities across America.

The museum will be housed on a 42,000-square-foot stretch of property that will also contain a new national headquarters for the National Urban League.

Mixed-income housing and multi-level retail space will also be provided for after groundbreaking occurs in 2015.

National

NY says ‘I do’

June 30, 2011 Wisconsin Gazette Leave a comment

New York lawmakers, in legalizing marriage for same-sex couples, made the union “a little more perfect,” openly lesbian New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said June 24.

That Friday night, the New York Senate sent a marriage equality bill to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who wasted no time in signing the legislation into law.

Same-sex couples can marry in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Iowa and the District of Columbia – and, in about a month, they can also marry in New York.

“This is a huge victory not just for LGBT New Yorkers, but for all New Yorkers and for our country,” Quinn said.

Around the world, as many communities in major cities celebrated Pride over the weekend, passage of the bill was heralded as a momentous development in the state where the modern LGBT civil rights movement began and in a nation about to celebrate independence, justice and liberty.

“At our founding, what made America different from every other country that existed before was a commitment to an ideal that had never been advanced – that all are created equal, endowed by their Creator with the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” said New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. “Our history as a nation has been one of striving to make those words ever more true. Today, our state rose to the challenge, and New York, once again, has carried on this great American tradition.”

The vote

The New York General Assembly passed the marriage equality bill 80-63 on June 15. But early last week, with the 2011 legislative session in overtime, there was no certainty the bill would reach the Senate floor, where it had the support of 29 Democratic senators, but still needed three GOP votes to pass.

The bill’s Democratic shepherds were convinced they had two Republican votes and knew of two other “undecided” Republicans as of June 23, when closed-door negotiations began in earnest to craft an amendment providing additional protections for religious institutions that teach homosexuality is sinful and might refuse wedding and marital services to same-sex couples.

Cuomo, who made marriage equality a cornerstone of his legislative agenda this year, pressed hard, behind the scenes and publicly. On June 17, urging passage, the state’s top Democrat said, “This state has a proud tradition and a proud legacy as the progressive capital of the nation. We led the way, and it’s time for New York to lead the way again.”

As negotiations went on inside the capitol in Albany, demonstrations for and against passage of the bill took place outside, with equality activists chanting and lobbyists touting polls showing 58 percent of New York voters supporting the legislation. A similar bill had stalled at the conclusion of the session two years ago.

A breakthrough came June 24, when the bill reached the floor. The measure passed the GOP-controlled senate 33-29, with four Republicans and 29 Democrats voting “yes.”

Cuomo signed the bill at about 11:55 p.m.

“Love conquers all,” said Susan Sommer of New York-based Lambda Legal. “Today our state government rose above the political fray and did the right thing for New York families. Equality prevailed.”

Chuck Wolfe of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which is committed to electing openly LGBT candidates, praised out legislators “who have been at the center of this fight for years – the brave men and women who helped their colleagues understand our humanity. Their authentic voices helped change hearts, and their determined hearts helped change votes.”

There also was praise for the four GOP senators who supported the bill and for the well-financed, well-coordinated campaign by LGBT nonprofits to move New York voters and lawmakers on the issue. There was particular praise for Cuomo, who basked in the adoration of hundreds of thousands of Pride celebrants June 26. Signs along New York’s Pride parade route stated, “Promise kept” and “Thank you, Gov. Cuomo.”

“Gov. Cuomo has shown New York and the nation what leadership looks like,” said Brian Ellner, the senior strategist in the state for the Human Rights Campaign. HRC deployed about 30 full-time field organizers to work for marriage in the state and estimated that work led about 150,000 constituents to encourage their representatives to support the bill.

Longtime activist Evan Wolfson, who has been at the forefront of the marriage fight since the earliest battle in Hawaii, predicted, “Now that we’ve made it here, we’ll make it everywhere.”

The impact

The Williams Institute, a California think tank, estimated the number of people potentially affected by the legislation’s passage:

An estimated 42,600 same-sex couples live in New York.

About 7,200 same-sex couples in New York are raising about 14,000 children.

With the governor’s signature, the percentage of the U.S. population living in a state allowing same-sex marriages will more than double, from 5.1 percent to 11.4 percent.

Beyond New York, marriage equality proponents predict that the legalization of gay marriage in the state will influence those in other state capitols, on the courts, in the Congress and in the White House.

Their major goal is the voiding of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman for federal purposes and allows one state to refuse to recognize another state’s legal same-sex marriage. New York same-sex couples may marry in a month, but they still will be denied access to about 1,200 federal rights and benefits.

“Constitutional rights belong to every individual, regardless of the state you inhabit,” said Chad Griffin of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the group behind the legal challenge to California’s anti-gay Proposition 8. “This has recently been affirmed within the past year by federal courts in our nation’s most prominent civil rights cases. … We are beginning to see the dark walls of discrimination crumble.”

The Justice Department announced earlier this year that it would not defend the section of DOMA withholding federal recognition of same-sex marriages, because the provision is unconstitutional. Congressional Republicans have since pledged to step in and defend DOMA in court.

President Barack Obama, speaking at a fundraiser in New York on June 23, reiterated his support for repealing DOMA.

But he did not respond to hecklers in the audience who urged him to publicly support marriage equality.

During the fundraiser at a Sheraton hotel, a woman shouted, “Marriage.”

Obama said, “I heard that. Believe it or not I anticipated that” and then, after some clapping and a “where was I?” went back to his comments.

Later, regarding the upcoming vote on the New York marriage bill, Obama said, “Right now I understand there’s a little debate right here in New York. … New York is doing exactly what democracies are supposed to do” – debate and deliberate.”

A heckler shouted, “Do you support…?” and others yelled, “Say yes to marriage” and “Support gay marriage.”

A report from the press pool summarized, “Bottom line: Despite some heckling on gay marriage, which (the president) said he expected, he did not break any new ground on gay marriage – apparently his position is still evolving. He mentioned the N.Y. legislation pending in the state senate, stalled by Republican opposition, but did not endorse it, only said it was right for states to debate the issue.”

The vote in New York, along with public opinion polls, suggests that the president is “falling behind the majority of Americans who see marriage equality as a key civil right for LGBT Americans,” said Robin McGehee of GetEqual.

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New York Senate approves gay marriage

June 25, 2011 Wisconsin Gazette Leave a comment

The New York State Senate has voted to allow gay marriage, meaning the state will now become the sixth and largest in the nation to provide marriage equality.

The 33-29 vote, which was almost entirely along party lines, came just moments ago following a brief debate. The state’s House had already approved the measure and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who lobbied fiercely for its passage, is expected to rapidly sign it into law.

The Senate chamber erupted in applause from a packed gallery following the vote. Various media reported that cheers could be heard echoing outside for minutes afterward.

Passage of the same-sex marriage bill reversed a 2009 vote that defeated a similar measure. Two Republicans joined 29 Democrats in approving the measure, while one Democrat voted against it.

New York’s legislature is the first controlled by Republicans to pass a bill allowing gay marriage.

Shortly before the vote, longtime Republican Senator Stephen Saland described the debate behind the bill and revealed that he would be voting for it, even though he had voted against the 2009 measure. He said he had been raised to be tolerant of all people and that the only way to avoid “flying in the face” of his upbringing was to vote for marriage equality.

Senate Republicans allowed the measure to come to a vote only after behind-the-scenes talks between them and Cuomo, the New York Times reported. Republicans were concerned that the measure protect religious institutions that do not want to marry people of the same sex.

Senator Ruben Diaz said he was the only Democrat voting against the bill and wore the fact as a “badge of honour”.

Referring to the capital of the state, Diaz said, “God, not Albany, has settled the definition of marriage a long time ago.”

Five states in America currently allow gay marriages: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Washington, D.C., also allows gay marriage.

the name.

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Big names drive New York marriage bill forward

May 19, 2011 Wisconsin Gazette Leave a comment

A former president and a current governor, a bad-boy hockey player and a retired talk-show host are driving marriage equality in New York state.

Still, there’s a deficit in the state senate in “yes” votes for same-sex marriage legislation.

While the legislative season is nearing an end in many states, it is heating up in New York state.

On May 10, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched his People First Campaign, a statewide tour to promote his legislative priorities. The governor’s campaign includes capping property taxes, enacting ethics reform and passing a marriage equality bill.

“The clock is ticking, but when the people speak, the politicians will listen,” Cuomo said.

An estimated 58 percent of New York citizens support legalizing same-sex marriage. That majority includes some high-profile people, including former President Bill Clinton.

“Now we should do it again, in New York, with marriage equality. For more than a century, our Statue of Liberty has welcomed all kinds of people from all over the world yearning to be free. In the 21st century, I believe New York’s welcome must include marriage equality.”

Daughter Chelsea Clinton also endorsed the equality legislation, as did New York Ranger Sean Avery, TV personality Larry King and a number of other celebrities.

Chelsea Clinton, in her statement, said, “As someone who got married last year, it was certainly the happiest day of my life to be able to marry my best friend. I fundamentally believe that every New Yorker, every American and everyone should have the same right.”

The statement came out just days before about 1,200 lesser-known New Yorkers organized by Empire State Pride Agenda boarded buses from the Bronx to Utica to lobby in the capital for marriage equality.

While there is momentum for moving the bill, state Sen. Thomas Duane, D-N.Y., recently said there are not enough votes in his chamber. The assembly has passed a marriage equality bill several times, but not the senate.

Also, in the weeks before the session ends in June, the National Organization for Marriage plans to invest $500,000 to block passage of the bill and another $1 million to defeat Democrats who support such legislation.

News, Political

NYC’s largest Spanish paper comes out for marriage equality

May 6, 2011 Wisconsin Gazette Leave a comment

New York’s largest Spanish-language daily newspaper came out in favor of same-sex marriage in a May 4 editorial.

The editorial is a response to an unprecedented push to legalize gay marriage in the state, led by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who says it’s an issue of fairness.

The editorial says:

“Governor Cuomo’s campaign merits all the support of the Latino community, including those who are opposed for religious reasons. Officials in this position should remember that they were elected to serve the public (independent of its sexual orientation) under American laws, which were established with a clear distinction between church and state. Latinos should also remember our collective fight is against discrimination and marginalization.

“Homosexuality is a human reality. The majority of New Yorkers have a friend, colleague or relative who’s gay. It’s time to give these people the opportunity to develop families and build communities. Our government shouldn’t be in the business of telling the people who to love or who to marry.”

On May 5, anti-gay state Sen. Ruben Diaz called for a boycott of the influential newspaper. In an open letter to Monica Lozano, the CEO of El Diario’s parent company, the Bronx Democrat said he would promote the boycott at a May 15 rally that he’s holding for “traditional” marriage – the same day that the city holds its AIDS Walk fundraiser.

Diaz, who claims to have two gay brothers, held New York City’s largest anti-gay rally in May 2009. The event drew more than 10,000 protesters.

Diaz also sued to shut down the city’s LGBT high school and tried to stop the Gay Games from taking place in the city, warning that it would “spread AIDS.”

ruben_diaz

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NY Republican gov hopeful makes anti-gay remarks

October 12, 2010 Wisconsin Gazette Leave a comment

NEW YORK (AP) — The conservative Republican candidate to be governor of New York told Orthodox Jewish leaders on Sunday he doesn’t want children “brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality” is acceptable.

While Carl Paladino, a multimillionaire developer from Buffalo, has stated that he is opposed to gay marriage, his most recent comments were striking because they came hours after eight people were arraigned in an attack on a gay man and two gay teens in the Bronx on Oct. 3.

Paladino, who has received strong support from conservative-libertarian “tea party” activists, made the comments at a synagogue in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg section while trying to strike a contrast between himself and his Democratic rival, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Paladino said he chose not to march in this summer’s gay pride parade but his opponent did.

“That’s not how God created us,” Paladino said of being gay, “and that’s not the example that we should be showing our children.”

He added that children who later in life choose to marry people of the opposite sex and raise families would be “much better off and much more successful.”

“I don’t want them to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option,” he said.

He skipped one line from his prepared text in his speech at the synagogue: “There is nothing to be proud of in being a dysfunctional homosexual.”

In a statement issued after midnight, Paladino said he did not agree with the passage. He said the remarks were suggested by his “hosts at the synagogue.” His campaign manager, Michael Caputo, told The New York Post that the congregation distributed the draft in Paladino’s name without clearing it with the campaign. A message was left at the synagogue early Monday.

“In my speech today to Orthodox Jewish leaders in New York City, I noted my opposition to gay marriage, inspired by my Catholic beliefs,” Paladino said in the statement. “I also oppose discrimination of any form.”

Church teaching holds that followers should refrain from discriminating against gays but that homosexual acts are “intrinsically disordered.”

Asked whether his comments were appropriate given the recent savage attacks on gays, Paladino said he does not support violence against gays.

“Don’t misquote me as wanting to hurt homosexual people in any way. That would be a dastardly lie,” he said. “My approach is live and let live.”

A Cuomo campaign spokesman, Josh Vlasto, said Paladino’s comments demonstrate “a stunning homophobia and a glaring disregard for basic equality.”

“These comments along with other views he has espoused make it clear that he is way out of the mainstream and is unfit to represent New York,” Vlasto said.

Paladino, who apologized for forwarding racist and sexist e-mails early on in his campaign to replace Democratic Gov. David Paterson, was campaigning on Sunday through traditionally Jewish conservative neighborhoods of Brooklyn, stopping at a rabbinical college in Borough Park, before eating lunch at Gottlieb’s deli in Williamsburg and then ending his tour at the synagogue.

Recent polls have showed Cuomo with a big lead over Paladino in the governor’s race. Several minor-party candidates also are seeking to replace Paterson, who took office after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer stepped down in a prostitution scandal but isn’t seeking election to a full term.

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