State of Suffolk
Suffolk Democrats will host the state party’s gathering to elect a state chairman September 17-18 -- the first time the state committee has ever convened in the county.
Assemb. Herman “Denny” Farrell Jr. (D-Manhattan), state party leader for the last four years, is expected to be re-elected to another two-year term.
While the party usually meets in New York City or Albany, Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman, said officials chose to meet in Suffolk, at the Smithtown Sheraton in Hauppauge, because of the major inroads the party has made electing a Democratic district attorney, county executive and county legislature -- all in a county where Republican still outnumber Democrats. “I think they wanted to highlight how much we’ve done and how competitive Democrats can be in the suburbs,” Schaffer said.
Rick Brand
Floyd Sarisohn, a long-time party lawyer, said Suffolk has never hosted a state party meeting in the 50 years he’s been involved in local Democratic politics. “In the early years, we were just a outpost and not that important,” he said. And when Dominic Baranello was state party leader for five years in the late 1970’s, “he never wanted to hold a meeting in Suffolk because he didn’t want to anger people from upstate,” Sarisohn added. “This is quite a coup for Richie Schaffer.”
E-mail
Facebook
Digg
Delicious
Comments (5)
It's too bad that Ferrell will have a banner year this year because it's mostly due not to him but that the GOP is imploding all over the place. Schaffer would make an excellent state chairman.
Schaffer would make a great chairmain as long as spota was the governor, dont forget who made who....spota brought the democrates back from the dead not little richie
You got it backwards. Rich recruited Spota to defeat Catterson, funded him and organized the effort. Schaffer has had nothing but gains each and every year as County Chair. I hope he does not become state chair because I nevewr want to lose him here in Suffolk where we still need to bring offices like County Clerk and Islip Town board into our Democratic column!
All Schaffer's minions have been delusional in thinking that Richie has had any influence with bringing the Democrats to power, the reality has always been since Mr. Spota was first elected in 2001 he was the only one that has given the democratic party it's only pulse in the last 30 years, Schaffer's "street smarts" was knowing that Mr Spota (number 2 on 2006 Long Islands 50 Most Influential people) is the true tactical genius of the democratic party. Proof will be, if Richie does move on to the state (Which is highly un-likely as long as Suozzi, Oh BTW who is number 1 on 2006 Long Islands 50 Most Influential People, is still looking to be the to be fly in the ointment to Spitzer, umm another democrat DA) and see who takes little Richie's position, perhaps a very high ranking member of Spota's team? Oh well sorry to bruise Richie's ego, however the facts are the facts. Spota is the leader and Schaefer is a follower as he has always been and always will be.
What has become of us? Can it be true that the Democratic Party is about to be eliminated by the Republicans? It seems likely that this senario could take place if we allow it to happen. We are are involved in laissez-faire politics which, as it has been proved over and over in our history, can destroy a government from within. If we continue on our present path fighting amongst our selves, we will surely selfdestruct. Shall we sit back and allow the present adminastration to dictate and distort the truth concerening the conditions in the mideast? How many more lies will be spoon fed to the American People? The true intensions of the Bush administrtion is to hold the oil fields and protect the Saudi Royal Family. Prince Bandar and the bin Ladin's have been close friend's of the Bush family for years and they will remain strong and powerful as long as we allow it. Lets change this. Lets find a leader that will face up to this dynasty of oil and blood. We are in desperate need of someone who will speak and have no fear of the consequences. When that individual steps forward we must support them and remain committed to the democratic system. Where is this one person. I pray every day that they will have the courage to come forward.