We’ve heard a lot about Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Republican Carl Paladino over the last few months, but not so much about the other candidates on the ballot for governor this year. Is that because only Cuomo and, theoretically at least, Paladino have any chance of winning? Yes.
Nevertheless, a democracy such as ours functions optimally when you, the voters, are well informed about all of your choices. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to “throw away your vote” on one of the many third-party candidates running this year, and it’s up to us, the media and Daily Intel in particular to inform you about them. So, as a public service, we sent out a short questionnaire to each of the five third-party candidates for governor. Here are the answers of the four who responded! their answers!
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What’s your single most compelling campaign promise?
To get as many votes as possible to keep pressure on the Democrats to pass a gay-marriage bill and to end the prohibition on marijuana to generate $1.5 Billion in new revenues so we can cut taxes.
The single greatest threat to New York right now is …
High taxes. They kill jobs and opportunity. We need tax relief now to get New York moving again.
Finish this sentence however you want: “Andrew Cuomo is … ”
… probably going to be our next governor and I want him to walk the walk on gay marriage — not just talk the talk.
Finish this sentence however you want: “Carl Paladino is … “
… not cut out to be in politics and wrong on same-sex marriage.
What are your thoughts on the so-called ground-zero mosque?
I wish they would would build it elsewhere and be more forthright about their funding.
How far north have you been in the state of New York in your adult life?
Watertown — love it!
How will history judge David Paterson?
Another career politician like Eliot Spitzer who betrayed the public trust, broke the law, and paid no penalty.
Your prediction for how you’ll fare in the election?
I will win 50,000 votes to form a new permanent party to keep fighting for personal freedom, social justice, and economic growth and prosperity.
Audrey C. Tiernan-Pool/Getty Images
What’s your single most compelling campaign promise?
Full employment. More private jobs through public investment in clean energy and mass transit. Public jobs in public works and services for those who can’t find work in the private sector.
The single greatest threat to New York right now is …
… the parasitic super-rich in finance, insurance, and real estate, who have bought both major parties in order to protect their tax breaks and corporate welfare, even though it means persistent high unemployment and gutted public services for New York’s working people.
Finish this sentence however you want: “Andrew Cuomo is … ”
… the candidate favored by the parasitic super-rich.
Finish this sentence however you want: “Carl Paladino is … “
… mean-spirited and talked himself out of the race by insulting another group of New Yorkers every time he opened his mouth.
What are your thoughts on the so-called ground-zero mosque?
The Islamic Community Center will be an asset for the community, like a YMCA or Jewish Community Center, as reflected in the 29-1 approval by Community Board No. 1, which represents Lower Manhattan. The right-wing attack on the center is an assault on our constitutional right to religious liberty, which is the foundation for freedom of thought, speech, press, and assembly.
How far north have you been in the state of New York in your adult life?
The Mohawk Nation Territory of Akwesasne that straddles the northernmost border of New York with Canada.
How will history judge David Paterson?
The man who talked Left as the State Senator from Harlem and walked Right as the Governor from Wall Street.
Your prediction for how you’ll fare in the election?
At least over 50,000 votes, which will secure the Green Party a ballot line in New York for the next four years. Potentially over 200,000 votes, which will establish the Green Party as the third line on the ballot and the third major party in New York.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
What’s your single most compelling campaign promise? Declaring an economic state of emergency and reducing rent statewide, businesses and tenants.
The single greatest threat to New York right now is …
Rent. It’s driving everyone out of the state. That’s a cancer. Once you cure the cancer, problem solved.
Finish this sentence however you want: “Andrew Cuomo is … ”
… following in the footsteps of his father.
Finish this sentence however you want: “Carl Paladino is … “
… a captain in the United States Army, eleven years, and I will never talk about my brother veteran. We talked backstage. At the debate I was going to eat him up, but when he told me that we were brothers, I would never talk about my brother.
What are your thoughts on the so-called ground-zero mosque?
That should not be in the political area because of the economic condition that we’re in. If it was a religious condition that we’re suffering from, well good, but I have no comment to, that’s ignorance, and I have no comment to it, to even discuss it.
How far north have you been in the state of New York in your adult life?
I walked through the state from Brooklyn, New York, to Buffalo and covered almost every large city in the state on foot in 1994, and I’ve been throughout periodically.
How will history judge David Paterson?
What a remarkable man … I wanted to nominate David Paterson on my party line and I would not be running … What a remarkable job. But there’s still some things that he don’t know, but I think he did pretty well for the circumstances.
Your prediction for how you’ll fare in the election
I will win …. The people have already chosen me to be their leader, it’s just a matter to go through the election process before I am pronounced the governor of the state of New York on November 2.
Audrey C. Tiernan-Pool/Getty Images
What’s your single most compelling campaign promise?
I will fight to stop wasting money so you will keep more of your money and we can take care of schools, parks, and bridges.
The single greatest threat to New York right now is …
Reckless spending.
Finish this sentence however you want: “Andrew Cuomo is … ”
… in bed with special interests — he works for them, not us.
Finish this sentence however you want: “Carl Paladino is … “
… temperamental and so lacking in judgment he’s not fit to be governor.
What are your thoughts on the so-called ground-zero mosque?
Not an issue for the governor. I respect NYC’s right to decide local matters.
How far north have you been in the state of New York in your adult life?
All the way to the top on the way to Montreal.
How will history judge David Paterson?
Inconsequential.
Your prediction for how you’ll fare in the election?
Better than Paladino.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
What’s your single most compelling campaign promise?
I promise to stop the state from balancing budget on the backs of poor and working-class people. I will do this by instituting a progressive taxation package that will ensure that the rich pay their fair share as well as a stock transfer tax and the closing of corporate loopholes. Thus, I will end the trend of vital services being cut, fees being raised, and workers being laid off, as these things equate to a disproportionate and unacceptable tax on the poor and working class.
The single greatest threat to New York right now is …
Cuomo and his attack on unions and working-class families.
Finish this sentence however you want: “Andrew Cuomo is … ”
… arrogant, incompetent, and a real threat to working-class families in general and black and Latino communities in particular.
Finish this sentence however you want: “Carl Paladino is … “
… should be arrested for impersonating a candidate. He is an embarrassment.
What are your thoughts on the so-called ground-zero mosque?
Stop Islamic-Phobia and build the Mosque immediately.
How far north have you been in the state of New York in your adult life?
The Canadian border.
How will history judge David Paterson?
Unfairly. Paterson was never given a chance to complete his job because of Cuomo’s and others’ undermining and scheming to force him out of the race. History will state that New York never elected a black governor. Now, New York can redeem itself by electing Charles Barron as the first black governor of New York State.
Your prediction for how you’ll fare in the election?
50,000 votes and we have a new party, the Freedom Party. 200,000 or more votes and we have great leverage. 1.6 million or more, and I am the next governor of New York State. Any one or all three can happen.
