Mike Whittemore
Mike is a Senior Video Journalist and Producer for Capital Tonight, New York's only nightly statewide political television program.
Homepage: http://capitaltonightny.ynn.com/stateofpolitics
AIM: rockharmonica
Posts by Mike Whittemore
Gillibrand And Schumer React to Ferraro’s Death
Mar 26th - 9:46 am
“My thoughts and prayers are with Geraldine’s family today. She was more than a pioneer who inspired me, and generations of women, she was also a great friend and mentor. I will greatly miss her many words of wisdom, encouragement and advice. Today is a great loss for our country, but I trust that her legacy will live on forever.” – U.S. Senator Kirsten
“Gerry Ferraro symbolized grace in every aspect of her life, as a wife, mother, grandmother, community activist, lawyer, businesswoman, philanthropist and public servant. She broke barriers with a matter-of-factness, modesty, and grace that made her achievements all the more important and becoming. The Schumer family extends our deepest condolences to the Ferraro-Zaccaro family. We will miss Gerry dearly.” – United States Senator Charles E. Schumer
RIP Geraldine Ferraro
Mar 26th - 8:47 am
A spokeswoman confirms this afternoon that Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman to run for vice president on a major party ticket, has died at the age of 75.
A family friend speaking on behalf the family says Ferraro, who was diagnosed with blood cancer in 1998, died today at Massachusetts General Hospital.
A native of Newburgh, Ferraro was an obscure Queens congresswoman when she was catapulted to national prominence at the 1984 Democratic convention. Walter Mondale chose her to run with him against incumbents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.
Mondale had chosen Ferraro in hopes of bridging the gender gap in politics and also infusing some life into his lagging campaign. While Ferraro won over crowds, often overshadowing her runningmate with her down-to-earth approach, she was also dogged by pro-life demonstrators who opposed her support of abortion rights.
In the end, the Reagan-Bush ticket won 49 of the 50 states, the largest landslide in nearly half a century.
Some observers said legal troubles involving her husband and son were a drag on Ferraro’s later political ambitions, which included her unsuccessful bids for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in New York in 1992 and 1998.
In the 1998 run, she finished a distant second in the Democratic primary to then-Rep. Chuck Schumer, who went on to win in a squeaker of an election, ousting Republican powerhouse, Sen. Alfonse D’Amato.
In 2008, Ferraro served as a surrogate for former Sen. Hillary Clinton’s presidential run and held an unpaid campaign post. She spared controversy when she seemed to suggest then-Sen. Barack Obama’s success was due largely to the color of his skin, indicating that sexism was more pervasive than racism in America. She stepped down from Clinton’s campaign.
Ferraro inspired a generation of woman elected officials currently serving today. We’re seeing an outpouring of statements from all manner of public figures, from Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (the lone female House member on Long Island) to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.
Millionaire’s Tax Advocates Not Giving Up Hope
Mar 25th - 9:00 pm
The so-called millionaires tax was, at one point, a significant priority of the Assembly Democrats, who hoped the extension of a higher tax rate for the state’s wealthiest residents would generate cash to restore Cuomo’s education cuts.
But the governor and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos refused to drop their opposition to continuing the tax – even with a higher threshold of $1 million to make it leave up to its name. According to Skelos the matter is now officially dead.
But, advocates have not given up hope. They even solicited some hollywood star power to help their cause. But will it work? To discuss this last-ditch attempt is Ron Deutsch, Executive Director of New Yorkers for fiscal fairness.
New Bill Would Give College-bound Illegals IDs, Aid
Mar 25th - 9:00 pm
There’s a new bill in the state legislature that loosely mirrors the controversial federal DREAM Act that died in Congress last year. One big difference: This bill does not provide a path to citizenship. It would, however, give young people brought to the U-S illegally by their parents a chance to earn a college degree, access to financial aid for college, the ability to work legally in New York, health care, and – here’s the big one – a driver’s license. That didn’t work so well for Eliot Spitzer, as you’ll recall.
To explain more about this potentially controversial measure is one of its sponsors, Liz Benjamin was joined by Democratic Senator Dan Squadron.
Two Ceremonies To Commemorate Historic Fires
Mar 24th - 9:00 pm
100 years ago this month, New York suffered two horrific fires within a four day span.
Friday marks the 100th anniversary of the fire that engulfed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City becoming the deadliest industrial disaster in state history. 146 garment workers – most of them immigrant women ages 16 to 23 – either perished in the flames or jumped to their deaths .
Four days later – during the early morning hours of March 29, 1911, a fire broke out at the state Capitol, claiming the life of the lone night watchman. The inferno destroyed thousands of historical artifacts and many of the documents housed in the State Library, which was the fifth largest library in the nation.
Earlier this week, the State Museum opened a exhibition on the 1911 Capitol Fire and a ceremony will be held on the 29th to mark the 100th anniversary.
Both fires had long-term impacts on the course of state history. Liz Benjamin spoke to a panel to discuss their significance.
Bob Weible is the State Historian and the chief curator of the New York State Museum and Christine Ward is the state archivist and Brian O’Shaughnessy is the co-director of the Labor-religion coalition.
Prosecutors Present Case For New Bruno Trial
Mar 24th - 9:00 pm
Former State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno was found guilty of violating the “honest services” law in 2009 and was sentenced to two years in prison. Bruno remained free, however, pending a decision by the US Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the honest services statute.
The following year, a decision was handed down that dramatically narrowed that statute, making it unlikely that the former Republican political heavy weight would serve any time. Earlier today, the prosecution in the case against Bruno filed a brief explaining why they believe he should be re-tried.
Paul DerOhannesian has kept a very close watch on this case from the beginning. He is a partner at the Albany-based first DerOhannesian and DerOhannesian and he joins us now to explain what this means for Joe Bruno.
Rent Control Still A Major Sticking Point For Dems
Mar 24th - 9:00 pm
Liz Krueger is the new ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee. She joined Liz Benjamin to discuss the progress being made toward reaching a budget deal – possibly ahead of schedule and how rent control could cause Democrats to vote against any budget, if the issue is not included.
Bill Would Give Nurse Practitioners More Flexibility
Mar 24th - 9:00 pm
Until the state budget is passed, it’s easy for other bills before the legislature to get overlooked. Seth Gordon, President and CEO of the Nurse Practitioner Association is trying to prevent that from happening to a piece of legislation that would give nurse practitioners in New York more leeway to treat patients.
What The Census Numbers Mean For Redistricting
Mar 24th - 9:00 pm
At first glance, the 2010 Census numbers released today were unsurprising, showing continued population loss upstate, but growth in New York City.
But a closer look revealed some questionable figures. Downstate officials immediately cried foul when they saw population in the Big Apple had increased considerably slower than expected – with some outer boroughs that are home to fast-growing immigrant communities actually registering a loss in residents.
Allegations of an under count immediately began to fly. One lawmaker called for an investigation. All this is taking place against the backdrop of redistricting, as House members and state legislators try to determine what their lines will look like come 2012.
To help us make sense of it all, Liz Benjamin was joined by Assemblyman Jack McEneny, a veteran of several redistrictings.
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