Tom Golisano is a billionaire businessman from upstate New York who helped found the Independence Party of New York. Michael Bloomberg is a registered independent in the State of New York, a billionaire businessman, and the mayor of New York City. What do these two titans of industry have in common? An apparent desire to “revamp” the New York Independence Party using their billions.
Observers tell the Post there are a number of advantages to Bloomberg teaming up with Golisano: First, it keeps him from meddling in this fall’s mayoral election (Golisano was helping efforts to keep term limits at two). Second, “the mayor’s new joint effort with Golisano could help crowd out the faction controlled by Lenora Fulani, who runs the city party and has said the mayor will have an uphill climb getting the line.” Bloomberg has gotten flak for supporting the city’s Independence Party—and implicitly Fulani, who made anti-Semitic remarks. Pigeon claims the partnering isn’t related to the 2009 mayoral election.
Whole article here.
I would like more info. as I am a ind. voter and registered as such. I have had it with the politics and I want to make a change.
Because McCain got a statewide ballot listing, where Frank McCay and his people are stronger. Only in New York City is the Fulanist-group strong, which is why people suspect Bloomberg could have ALOT of trouble getting their ballot line the next time around.
Sorry, I meant
If the Fulanists are so strong, how did McCain get the Independence Party ballot line last year?
Sorry about that, I needed to reread the post!
The Fulanists are only storng in New York CITY, though I’ll be honest, you’re question is not very clear.
If the Fulanists are so strong there, how did they get the New York Independence Party ballot line last year?
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/01/independence-day.html
Controversy!
Im sad to say it, but Bloomberg really should entertain the idea of running for President as an Independent. He’d instantly have the support of the New York Independence Party, Minnesota Independence Party, and others (those two makes up two of the strongest state third-parties in the nation).
It seems obvious to me that Golisano and Bloomberg are looking after their own tails–they want this ballot line in the future and dont want it tainted with the Fulanists.
If cleared of the Fulani elements and back by major funds, the Independence Party could become a real factor in New York. While Golisano and Bloomberg obviously seem to be looking out first and foremost for their own self-interest, the fact that they have decided their self-interest doesn’t always run in the major parties is good for political competition.
A good move by Golisano to get a big-mae politician and one with some ready cahs to spend to fix the party, root out Fulani’s communists, and create a viable alternative for New York voters.