A critic of GOP US Senate hopeful Bruce Blakeman and his supporters is circulating this Web video, which questions the former Long Island lawmaker’s support by powerbroker Alfonse D’Amato, who some believe is double-dealing by also quietly backing Blakeman’s Democratic target: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
D’Amato, a former Republican US senator-turned-lobbyist, was on hand both for Blakeman’s campaign announcement back in January and Gov. David Paterson’s formal selection of Gillibrand to replace Hillary Clinton last year.
(The fact that D’Amato, a longtime friend of Gillibrand’s father, lobbyist Doug Rutnik, was standing front-and-center on stage and closer to the newly-minted Democratic senator caused quite the buzz at that press conference).
POLITICO’s Glenn Thrush suggested not long ago that D’Amato’s backing of Blakeman “only further proves” the ex-senator is trying to help Gillibrand because Blakeman isn’t viewed as a strong challenger, even though he has amassed the most GOP support of her three would-be challengers to date.
There’s no name on the (lengthy) e-mail that accompanied the video, but the format looks a lot like one used by an advocate helping one of Blakeman’s primary opponents, former Rep. Joe DioGuardi.
He is an NY 1 Wiseguy and a pawn of the anti Italian media who love portray Italian as gangsters, murders, etc.
BTW who is he supporting for Governor ?
Before there was the “Oracle at Delphi” there was Count Vampire J. Machiavelli
VJ Machiavelli http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
No More Schumer, Pelosi, Rangel,Engel, and Arthur Finkelstein & Co
“After Four Years of Scandals it is time for Levy/Faso/Callaghan/Garcia”
Howard K. Smith
Typical despicable garbage coming from a piece of human excrement like Joe DioGuardi.
Gloria Woodard
Clearly Big Daddy Al is the deal-maker or go-between, among other roles. He lines up big donations, and then ensures that the elected official delivers. It is also obvious that he “advises” as part of his fee for fundraising or matchmaking. D’Amato should just retire and play the craps tables in Atlantic City. That’s how you get D’Amato’s poker face.
Hal Benson
The real “human excrement” in this deal is D’Amato. He’s obviously throwing the republicans under the bus to help Gillibrand retain her seat in the Senate. How has nobody woken up and figured this out yet?
http://www.youtube.com/NoMafia4NY Carrie B.
I don’t have a hard time believing this whatsoever, D’Amato and even Blakeman himself have Mafia ties, and D’Amato has been a sleazebag since day one. Theres a reason NY voted him out awhile ago, and since then he’s been able to make money out of it. It’s depressing that he’s still allowed to thrive, but he’s so well-connected within government, whos going to get him?
FS
Looks like a Jim Kelly job.
Carla Cossack
D’Amato has established himself as a gatekeeper of political power, giving him a dangerous amount of influence that will hurt voters. His shady and unethical practices have turned him into a destructive machine that needs to be stopped before he causes more damage to the state of New York.
To claim that Joe DioGuardi is behind this video is libelous to the character and candidacy of a great public servant. Those attacking Joe are trying to avoid the facts. D’Amato and Blakeman are the ones with ties to criminal organizations. It’s almost certain that @F S and @Howard K. Smith are supporters of Kirsten Gillibrand–just like Alfonse.
Why is the truth so difficult to take? D’Amato’s been up to these tricks for years; nothing in the video is surprising or false.
The Conservative Party spoke on Friday night– they can no longer tolerate the buying and selling of power that is a violation of ethics, if not laws, and that’s detrimental to voters who pay taxes.
The big question now is whether the NY GOP will have the courage to do the same thing.
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