A week after Alan Hevesi got broadsided by the Ethics Commission, Democrats seem to have come up with a party line.
Yesterday, Hillary Clinton said she would vote for Hevesi "because the alternative is just not acceptable." Chuck Schumer said you couldn't just "flick away" Hevesi's misconduct, but later said, "Personally, I plan to vote for Alan. In this case there is no viable alternative. His opponent is just not up to the task of managing the pension fund, and Alan has proved his competence on that front."
Today, much the same from former comptroller Carl McCall: “I’ve been Comptroller; I know what the job takes. Chris Callaghan does not have what it takes. I know Comptroller Hevesi can do the job because he has already done the job. And his opponent, Chris Callaghan is not qualified. There’s simply no choice. I’m voting for Alan Hevesi.”
And also, from NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson: “As City Comptroller, I understand the importance of the office of State Comptroller. Chris Callaghan is simply not up to the job. He’s not qualified to manage New York’s $140 billion pension fund. Comptroller Hevesi’s record as both New York City Comptroller and State Comptroller is something to be proud of. I am voting for Alan Hevesi.”
For those Democrats who think Hevesi is a despicable crook, this might be compelling logic if they had some assurance that he would be removed and replaced by a person who was honest like Callaghan, but also more competent and a Democrat. Unfortunately, none of the Democrats urging a vote for Hevesi have promised to push for his ouster if he is elected, nor has the party's supposed champion of ethics, Eliot Spitzer.
Spitzer pulled his endorsement from Hevesi, but has assiduously avoided talk of resignation or removal. And today, campaigning in Yonkers, he tells reporters it's basically no one's business what he plans to do about Hevesi if both are elected, courtesy of the Journal News: “I’ve said everything that I will say about that race and the unfortunate events that have overtaken it and we’ll see what happens on Election Day.”
It's apparently one of the changes Spitzer is bringing to Albany, part of his new construct of how democracy should work: When it comes to petty little matters like an elected official misusing state assets, elect me first. Then I'll tell you what I plan to do.
Comments (4)
You could put a monkey in as comptroller and it wouldn't matter. The professional staff runs the office. Give us a break already about Callaghan's lack of experience. He'll do just fine.
So all the democrats are essentially saying they prefer a corrupt democrat over an honest republican.
No, I do not want Callaghan in charge of my pension..period..shame on the republicans for putting up someone so incompetent as he is..he was a throw-a-way candidate..who up until recently could care less about..call it the way it is...I would rather have Spitzer pick someone competent that have this political hack in charge of the state pension system..which..ironically..he wants to do away with..great...just great.......
Riley, you are the king of petty when it comes to Elliot Spitzer...he has not been elected govenor yet..yet you expect him to answer questions as if election day..has come and gone...what about the current govenor Pataki??? he is not calling for his resignation either??? and you know why?? Because a man's career and reputation is on the line here...a very serious matter indeed..just maybe Spitzer and Pataki have a bit more class than Bruno and Faso..and that is the reason why they have been elected to state wide office???