Carl Paladino, New York gubernatorial candidate, who somehow acquired the "Tea Party Favorite" title, has shown himself once again to be a jerk at best and a complete nutcase at worst. His "angry boy" persona has not served him well up till now, and it's not getting any more promising.
His own self-defeating antics are responsible for the butt whoopin' the numbers show him receiving from Andrew Cuomo. And while I am all for a no-nonsense kind of leader, especially in my state of New York, I would like one that can combine no-nonsense with common sense--at least a hint of it. Not so with Paladino.
Knowing Americans are fed up with the damage political correctness has done, Paladino has tried to sell himself as the antithesis of such, assuming by so doing he is endearing himself to fed up New Yorkers. While refusing to wear the fear the Left tries to impose upon people is admirable, the wannabe governor's words and actions are not quite so admirable. His behavior has been disgraceful at a time when New York could really use a level-headed--albeit strong--public servant. Paladino, however, has too often shot himself in the foot. And again, he has taken a cheap shot at Governor Palin. With Election Day fast approaching, I ordinarily wouldn't ride the Republican candidate's tail too hard, but since he continues to wag it, since he's totally killed his own chances, and especially since he's used his platform to try to take down Governor Palin, he's got this coming.
The Huffington Post reports:
New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino took aim at the prospect of Sarah Palin pursuing a presidential run in 2012 in an interview with the New York Times published on Monday night.
In voicing his opinion on the matter, the Tea Party-backed hopeful reportedly criticized Palin as a "TV personality" in the making who isn't ready to serve the country in the White House.
It's not the first time that Paladino has stated the view in the wake of whispers about plans in the works for Palin to mount a presidential campaign in 2012.
"We need a real leader," explained the Republican candidate to New York-based station WNYC last month. "Not someone who just wants to go and throw a bunch of words around and proverbs and -- I want somebody that is going to be totally responsible. Someone that is a student of that government."
First of all, the media's obsession with asking politicians about Governor Palin and a 2012 run for the presidency is really telling. They have allowed her to rule and reign in their minds, and they are more concerned about what her next step may be than they are with the issues the candidates have espoused. Even though she has set her attention on 2010, they have visions of 2012 dancing in their heads. One must wonder, with all the hoopla surrounding this topic already, what in the world can we expect should she actually decide that she is running in 2012?
Second, with the mess New York state is in, one would think there is a plethora of more pressing issues to discuss with this man who claims to have the goods to move the Empire State forward. Yet somehow his opinion of Governor Palin as a contender for the presidency manages to find its way into the conversation. He should have his hands full. Where does he find the time?
Furthermore, Paladino's decision to take the low road and demean Governor Palin speaks more about his leadership--or lack thereof--than hers. His words concerning her demonstrate a gross lack of insight and awareness of the issues. He presents himself as a maverick who has come to turn things around, one who can buck the establishment and make a difference in New York. But what he illustrates is he's been missing in action or not paying attention. If he were more aware, he would recognize that Governor Palin has both accomplished more and laid more on the line for the sake of tea party conservative principles than anyone else to date. She has given herself completely to these mid-terms elections--making endorsements, donating funds, traveling the nation at an incredibly busy pace, her life even threatened in the process. She has done nothing less than put her efforts, her name, and her reputation on the line so that she can help restore sanity to Washington. All this while some others have taken the safer route--some too cowardly to make the long-shot endorsements, others making endorsements after Governor Palin's candidates have gained ground (but enough about Mitt).
The Governor is responsible for drawing attention to the danger of Obamacare, demanding we "repeal and replace," calling out cap-and-tax, and heralding fiscal responsibility. She has supported our military, taken a stand for common decency at Ground Zero, and stood on the side of border states determined to keep themselves safe despite the federal government's negligence. The work she has done toward energy independence will outlive each of us. She has promoted a culture of life and respect for those with special needs. Governor Palin has almost singlehandedly brought the revival we now see in this country, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
Paladino states that Governor Palin merely throws a bunch of words around. Really? Well, with just one word spoken or written, the Governor has repeatedly raised thousands of dollars to help elect yet another common sense conservative who will serve for the right reasons. And we're supposed to take this guy's opinion of her seriously?
Carl Paladino says he wants someone responsible for president, and apparently Governor Palin doesn't fit the bill in his mind. Is he offering himself up as an exemplar of responsibility? Should she be taking notes from him? Well, let's take a look at his version of responsibility in both word and deed. Then you decide who has more credibility--and sensibility.
Douglas Feiden of the New York Daily News provides some background information on Paladino:
Framing everything in take-no-prisoners terms, Paladino weeks ago predicted his primary win and promised the same against Andrew Cuomo, the odds-on front-runner in the race for the governor's mansion.
"I promise you, I will take down Little Ricky [Rick Lazio], and after that, I will take out Prince Andrew," he said.
Paladino, 63, offered up a healthy dose of threats and invective while dining at Sinatra's, his favorite Italian eatery in his hometown of Buffalo.
"There will be blood on the floor," he said, washing down pork braciola with red wine.
"It won't be pretty, it won't be clean, but I will take them down."
Subtle as a pit bull, but with a fast smile and a mischievous glint in his eye, Paladino will vilify any foe and blurt out anything that comes to mind.
He told building contractors in Ronkonkoma that Gov. Paterson was "a wimp . . . really, he's pathetic." Former Gov. George Pataki? He's a "degenerate idiot."
Tough campaigning is a part of running for office, but Paladino's words work to show him as a loose cannon more prone to insults, profanity, and threats than anything else--and it's simply not working for him. In fact, it's worked against him and killed his chances. Paladino's track record shows his brand of responsibility to involve having no language filter, making serious personal allegations without sufficient evidence, and being commitment challenged.
In addition, he almost ruined his Primary chances when disgustingly racist, sexist, and pornographic emails he forwarded were leaked. His defense? He simply stated that he's not politically correct, that the emails were "just humor." The problem is New York state--and the state New York is in--are no laughing matters, and he has hurt the efforts to turn things around.
If Carl Paladino holds himself up as the example of a "real leader," if he is the standard by which leadership is measured, thank God Governor Palin doesn't fit his mold. Why in the world would anyone ask him to validate someone else's leadership credentials, especially someone with the success Governor Palin has enjoyed? It just shows, again, the state of the lamestream media.
Carl Paladino, who fancies himself a no-nonsense voice, needs to add some common sense to his resume'. Until then, he might just want to say nothing at all. Besides, instead of assessing Governor Palin's ability to handle the presidency in 2012, shouldn't he be spending all his energy between now and next Tuesday finding a way out of the hole he's dug for himself in New York?
(h/t Ron Devito, Stacy Drake)
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