NY Comptroller: Who to vote for?
I’ve been truly conflicted with the decision who to pull the level for in the NY Comptroller Race. Havesi or Callaghan. I’m one of those “we have to be more ethical than the Republicans people” I called out in a previous post. BTP wrote a piece a while back here and I’ve been going back and forth.
Nothing provides clarity like election day so I’m pulling the lever for Hevesi.
Hevesi is due his day in court (it is his right) and I simply don’t trust the Republicans, their policies or their enablers.
Here is why.
Hevesi is due his day in court. He has been probed, investigated and as far as I can tell, he has not been found guilty of a crime in a court, or by the NY Senate. Wrongdoing has been alleged. Probes are on going but - the U.S. Constitution applies to everyone and investigory bodies do not find guilt.
I also was struck by this line in yesterday’s D&C article. (bold text is mine)
(November 5, 2006) — ALBANY — An independent investigator concluded that enough evidence exists to warrant removing Comptroller Alan Hevesi from office but stopped short of urging that proceedings begin, a report released Saturday indicated.
David Kelley’s report to Gov. George Pataki said he could not urge removal because he was unsure of the process and he needed time for more inquiry.
Kelley, a former federal prosecutor, noted the alleged violations were not criminal.
So, “alleged” and “not criminal” Powerful meaningful words to be sure. Not powerful enough to overcome my distrust of the Republican party.
But it is the ethics stupid. Yes, bad judgement and ethics issues. Have a look at how the D&C addresses bad ethics and poor judgement with regards to Reynolds. Ultimately poor judgement and ethics violations lead to criminal proceedings. Criminal Proceedings lead to removal.
Republican trust. Frankly, I don’t trust the Republican party. Callaghan is a space filler candidate. Until the probe, he simply didn’t have a chance. He was put on the ballot to help the Republican ticket down the line. There is a significant qualification issue.
So. I’m voting for Hevesi. Yes, I am extremely disappointed in his lack of judgement. I’m confident that when Spitzer is elected, the Hevesi issue will be resolved either through resignation or trial. If Hevesi goes, someone who is highly qualified will be appointed.
Skipping the race is a wasted vote. Voting for Callaghan enables Republican polices and detracts from Spitzer’s term.
For me, I prefer to have Eliot Spitzer appoint someone if Hevesi is removed and that can’t happen if Callaghan is elected.
Now, I’m sure the comments will fill with all the puts and takes. My conscious is clear. The only path to putting a audit qualified candidate into office is pulling the lever for Hevesi.
Amen
I’ve come around to the same way of thinking since my last post about this. I’m disappointed in Hevesi, and want him to resign after Spitzer’s able to appoint someone else. Callaghan is just not qualified, and I’m scared he will bring his unbalanced conservative ideology and lack of experience to bear instead. It’s that deadly combination that has helped screw up Iraq so badly. It could screw up the state pension plan and other finances similarly. And I don’t trust Republican officials on oversight, from the federal level all the way down to town gov’ts.
I’ll take a guilty, remorseful Hevesi before Callaghan any day of the week. If Hevesi had not been so wrapped up in his work, this may have never happened.
Have to disagree. Hevasi lost my vote and I will give Callaghan a chance.
I see alot of complaints about DeLay, Ney, Reynolds, Jefferson(throw a Democrat in to the list) etc… and yet when it comes down to voting the bums out I see people voting to leave the bums in. Hevasi may resign or be impeached. That is all well and good. But, at this point you have to decide if you really want to vote the bums back in by voting for Hevasi or vote them out by voting for an alternative Comptroller candidate.
The election tomorrow is perhaps the one chance we as voters get to cast a vote about the “culture of corruption” of a candidate. Hevasi gave up the right to hold public office. The choices are those who are on the ballot on Tuesday not who the combined Assembly and Senate chose when Hevasi resigns.
Don’t vote for Callaghan if you want BUT don’t vote for Hevasi.
I respect your opinion but need to disagree.
I remember people saying they were tired of the Clinton scandels, associated Gore and a few verbal gaffees (Internet, some FEMA gaffe) with them and didn’t think GWB was going to be too bad either.
I still say Callaghan is a distraction to Spitzer.
Wow, nice perspective. That brings it all home.