Bob McCarthy: Entering the home stretch
Some thoughts and observations gathered along the short campaign trail to Election Day:
• Former County Legislature Chairman Chuck Swanick’s return to his old party last week underscores his deeply held Democrat- turned-Republican-turned-Democrat political philosophy. It may also serve as a sign that one of the most popular and indefatigable pols to ever come out of Tonawanda may be ready for a comeback.
The return of this prodigal son, however, has not prompted the demise of any local fatted calves. Some see him returning to the County Legislature, and the concerns he expressed last week over the Collins administration appeared to show him headed in that direction.
But Swanick could also be aiming at veteran Assemblyman Robin Schimminger. The two are not exactly close pals, and Schimminger’s $434,000 campaign kitty might not deter Swanick. That’s because, as an official friend of former Erie County Democratic Chairman Steve Pigeon and his access to Tom Golisano’s Responsible New York millions, Swanick could counter that sum in a nanosecond.
Then there’s a potential challenge to Republican Sen. Mike Ranzenhofer; maybe even Tonawanda supervisor.
Swanick denies any such plans, even though he coveted the Legislature candidacy eventually claimed by Republican Kevin Hardwick earlier this year. That got nixed by Erie County Republican Chairman Jim Domagalski, never a fan of “crossovers” like Swanick, and former County Executive Joel Giambra — which explains Swanick’s pining for the good old days under former Chairman Bob Davis.
Before Swanick chatted with a reporter from The Buffalo News about his return to the Dems last week, he had just descended from the cab of a CSX locomotive, where he returned after his “retirement” from the Legislature in 2005.
Hey, politics is a good gig and everybody knows your name. But choosing County Hall over hauling a mile-long freight along the main line? Hmmmm.
• Sources throughout the Democratic Party report a frosty relationship these days between Congressman Brian Higgins and Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan over Headquarter’s refusal to support Mayor Byron Brown for re-election. With the Brown and Higgins camps both unhappy, it only adds to speculation Lenihan may face a tough bid for a fifth term in 2010.
• County Executive Chris Collins continued his IcNY tour in the Big Town last Monday and Tuesday, this time for a round of political events and an interview with Crain’s New York Business.
He also appeared at a Police Athletic League fundraising event with former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, whom he says he supports for governor next year. Nevertheless, the county executive is spending more and more time telling New Yorkers why he would make a good governor, too.
Also on Collins’ downstate agenda last week was a business roundtable in White Plains with Westchester county executive candidate Rob Astorino.
• Speaking of Republican aspirants for governor, former Congressman Rick Lazio got a big boost last week with the endorsement of 11 GOP honchos from his native Long Island, including Suffolk County Chairman John Jay LaValle.
The rap on Lazio was that he has failed to excite the Republican establishment. Now he at least has roused Republicans in his own back yard.
• Lazio was also slated to fire up the GOP in Collins’ own yard. He was scheduled to address the Erie County Republican Party’s annual fall fundraiser Saturday night in the Adam’s Mark Hotel.
Not to be outdone, Collins was also inked in as a speaker, as was state Republican Chairman Ed Cox.
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