Did Molinaro and the Conservative Party force Donovan out?

It looks like Borough President Jame Molinaro and the Conservative Party as exuding their influence over the Republican nominees. An overpassed quote from yesterday suddenly becomes very telling after the sudden and extremely unexpected withdraw by Donovan.

via the Advance

But sparks flew when Borough President James P. Molinaro, who has feuded with Donovan, was asked yesterday how he'd feel if Donovan ran. Molinaro's Conservative Party could play a key role in the race.

"It's not my choice," he told reporters following an event at City Hall.

When reporters persisted, Molinaro said, "You're fishing, and I'm not taking the hook."

But Molinaro added that he is "definitely not sitting this out."

Today without much explanation Donovan the clear favorite of the national Republican Congressional leaders withdrew his name. Then consider this, while no one publicly called for Fossella's resignation and many eventually came to his defense when it looked like he was staying, Molinaro said;

At the end of the day, he doesn't run.

The day after that statement Fossella showed up at a Conservative Party dinner unannounced and then three days later declared he was not seeking re-election.