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.

Dan Donovan won't run

This is excruciatingly painful news for the Republican Party in Staten Island. Donovan as the District Attorney offered the clearest counter to Fossella's ethical and legal improprieties. He was courted by Minority Leader Rep. Boehner and NRCC Chair Rep. Cole well before Fossella declared he wasn't running. He had the clear support of the national party, just no promises to any financial help.

"I feel that at this time, I am best able to serve the people of Staten Island in the position to which they re-elected me by such an overwhelming margin just six months ago, as their District Attorney. Therefore, I am now removing my name for consideration for a candidacy for Congress."

Donovan was the only candidate the Republican party had that ran a successful borough wide race. The only legitimate back up choice now is State Senate Andrew Lanza, childhood friend of Fossella who has to pick between a senate seat where he soon will be in the minority or a congressional race he is not assured to win where he also will be in the minority. Before the Donovan announcement is appeared that Lanza was setting himself up for a graceful withdraw from Congressional speculation with comments like these;

"It's the so-called prize, but at what price?"

Lanza said the state Legislature's six-month session and generally shorter workweek also allow him to devote time to both public service and his family.

"I'm still away too much, but I've been able to strike a little bit of a balance."

The pressure certainly has to be intense now as his state party will be demanding he not give up his Senate Seat and the National party trying to throw anything they have at him to entice him to give it all up for what appears to be a gamble. Cusick or McMahon will now be all in as aggressively as they can be. This seat just inched closer towards leaning Democratic.

Consider this a massive loss for the NRCC, one in a long long line of them this cycle. Or if you are a Republican think of it as a strategic part of your Regain Our Majority Program. First you added an incumbent to that program, and he got arrested. Then you have a successor to hold the seat, not gain a seat, and he declines. Now you will offer up a third tier candidate to carry the party's banner.

If you can't see how this is not all part of their plan to "regain" their majority you must be blind.

Fossella to resign?!

Sources are saying Vito Fossella will resign Monday and that Dan Donovan, Staten Island DA will be the Republican nominee to replace him. While a resignation is the worst of the three potential options for the republican party (resign, stay in but not run and run again) Donovan is certainly their best hope of keeping the seat. Tomorrow (later today) I will break down the candidate options and scenarios on both sides of the aisle.

note: I remain some what cautious of believing he will resign as its the worst option for Republicans and the various press conferences that were reported as imminent never happened.

Staten Island DA Donovan zero tolerance for drunk drivers

D.A. Donovan: Contrary to National Trend, DWI Fatalities on the Rise in New York State, 2004;

According to statistics released on August 25th by the NHTSA, a total of 17,013 alcohol related fatalities were recorded in 2003. This is down by 511, or nearly 3%, from the total of 17,524. “Law enforcement agencies across the nation, including my office, have been working tirelessly to end drunk driving and its tragic consequences,” stated District Attorney Donovan. “While the national statistics are encouraging, the numbers for our own state should convince anyone that our work is far from done.” District Attorney Donovan noted that in New York State, alcohol related fatalities on our roads increased by 47, or 9.8% from 2002 to 2003, from a total of 482 in 2002 to 529 in 2003. In 2003, drunk driving accounted for 35% of auto fatalities in New York State. Ironically, this increase in fatalities in New York occurred after the State lowered the Blood Alcohol Content limit to .08% from .10%.

“If these statistics don’t wake people up to the dangers of drunk driving, I don’t know what will,” stated the District Attorney. “My office will continue to vigorously prosecute anyone who is arrested for drunk driving on the roads of Staten Island.”

With police enforcement on roadways and at bridge crossings, drunk driving arrests should reach another record on Staten Island this year. As of September 1st, there had been 543 DWI related arrests in 2004. At the current pace, this years arrests will far exceed the totals in 2002 and 2003, when there were 626 and 665 respectively.

“On Staten Island we have been fortunate that we have not had any alcohol related fatalities this year,” noted Donovan. “However, I would rather depend on zero tolerance for drunk driving than luck.” [bolded for emphasis]

D.A. Dan Donovan, 2007;

“When I was a candidate for District Attorney, I told the people of this community that I would aggressively target the drunk drivers who endanger all of our lives on the road, stated District Attorney Donovan [bolded for emphasis]

The bench: Mike Ryan, District Attorney Candidate

In a race garnering less attention than some more contentious races for seats in Albany or DC, the District Attorney elections are coming up this fall, and one of the few off year elections we will see. The incumbent, is DA Dan Donovan (R) and the challenger, as noted in the title, is Attorney Mike Ryan (D). While it is doubtful there will be messages coming out of this race that we can use to carry over into the Congressional race, there are many lessons. Similar to Manny Innamorato's strategy, Mike Ryan has decided to bring his message directly to the residents of the island campaigning door to door. Via Wrobleski's polit.bureau;

"We're out walking and knocking on doors every night," Ryan told us at Democratic headquarters in Port Richmond. "When we're not out walking, we're speaking to the political clubs."

Instead of focusing on prime voters in Democratic districts, Ryan says he's trying to hit every section of Staten Island possible.

The second part of that quote may be the most important, bringing the message to what otherwise would be considered the Republican base. It would have been sensible to see some Congressional candidates working with Ryan to build off the work of Innamorato's campaign. Rebuilding our efforts every campaign to introduce our Democratic message in the South Shore and mid island is an unnecessary expense of time and money that we need to change.