ALBANY - With Rudy Giuliani dropping out of the presidential race, New York Republicans said Wednesday they'll get behind John McCain, eight years after state party officials tried to keep him off the primary ballot against George Bush.
Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno talked with Giuliani Wednesday morning. Bruno says McCain “has the experience our nation needs in these uncertain times as we continue the war on terror abroad and seek to steady our economy at home.”
Despite a statement from state Republican Committee Chairman Joe Mondello indicating his party would back McCain, Cayuga County Chairwoman Cherl Heary said she wasn't prepared to endorse a candidate just yet.
“I haven't talked to Chairman Mondello or any other of the party chairs about this,” Heary said Wednesday, shortly after the statement was released. “I just haven't given it a lot of thought.”
The county committee likely won't be making any endorsements prior to Tuesday's vote.
But Mondello said the state party is unified behind McCain.
“Sen. John McCain is a true leader, an extraordinary patriot, and a committed Republican,” Mondello said in a written statement. “New York's Republican Party and John McCain have been good friends over the years.”
Not always, though.
In the 2000 primary against Bush, state Republican leaders, including Gov. George Pataki and then-state Chairman William Powers, tried hard to keep McCain off the ballot, prompting the Arizona senator to stand on the steps of the Russian consulate in New York City and denounce the party's “Stalinist politics.” A court fight ensued, the party ultimately relented and McCain was on the ballot, losing to Bush 51 percent to 43 percent.
This year, he'll be tested by Mitt Romney, the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts. A USA Today/Gallup poll out Monday showed McCain leading Romney 40 percent to 17 percent. New York's GOP primary is a winner-take-all contest with 101 delegates at stake, the second biggest Super Tuesday prize behind California.
“John McCain has shown the fortitude to withstand major challenges,” Bruno said. “He is a true reformer and has the courage of his convictions that will help him win in New York and throughout the country.”
A McCain campaign spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
In a statement, the Romney campaign said the former governor would run strong in New York.
“Governor Romney's support continues to grow daily as more and more New Yorkers tune in to the election, recognizing that we need change in Washington,” the statement said. “And as the economy teeters on the brink, Americans increasingly want a leader who understands the economy - and Governor Romney stands alone in that regard.”
The developments could also impact more local races in the fall.
Republicans in the state were counting on Giuliani's marquee name to push up turnout in November, when all 212 seats in the Legislature are contested and the balance of power in the Senate could go to the Democrats. Republicans, who have dominated the 62-seat chamber for four decades, hold just a 32-29 advantage with one special election scheduled for Feb. 26.
If U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is the Democratic nominee, she could help fellow New York Democrats on the ballot.
Despite a statement from state Republican Committee Chairman Joe Mondello indicating his party would back McCain, Cayuga County Chairwoman Cherl Heary said she wasn't prepared to endorse a candidate just yet.
“I haven't talked to Chairman Mondello or any other of the party chairs about this,” Heary said Wednesday, shortly after the statement was released. “I just haven't given it a lot of thought.”
The county committee likely won't be making any endorsements prior to Tuesday's vote.
But Mondello said the state party is unified behind McCain.
“Sen. John McCain is a true leader, an extraordinary patriot, and a committed Republican,” Mondello said in a written statement. “New York's Republican Party and John McCain have been good friends over the years.”
Not always, though.
In the 2000 primary against Bush, state Republican leaders, including Gov. George Pataki and then-state Chairman William Powers, tried hard to keep McCain off the ballot, prompting the Arizona senator to stand on the steps of the Russian consulate in New York City and denounce the party's “Stalinist politics.” A court fight ensued, the party ultimately relented and McCain was on the ballot, losing to Bush 51 percent to 43 percent.
This year, he'll be tested by Mitt Romney, the former governor of neighboring Massachusetts. A USA Today/Gallup poll out Monday showed McCain leading Romney 40 percent to 17 percent. New York's GOP primary is a winner-take-all contest with 101 delegates at stake, the second biggest Super Tuesday prize behind California.
“John McCain has shown the fortitude to withstand major challenges,” Bruno said. “He is a true reformer and has the courage of his convictions that will help him win in New York and throughout the country.”
A McCain campaign spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
In a statement, the Romney campaign said the former governor would run strong in New York.
“Governor Romney's support continues to grow daily as more and more New Yorkers tune in to the election, recognizing that we need change in Washington,” the statement said. “And as the economy teeters on the brink, Americans increasingly want a leader who understands the economy - and Governor Romney stands alone in that regard.”
The developments could also impact more local races in the fall.
Republicans in the state were counting on Giuliani's marquee name to push up turnout in November, when all 212 seats in the Legislature are contested and the balance of power in the Senate could go to the Democrats. Republicans, who have dominated the 62-seat chamber for four decades, hold just a 32-29 advantage with one special election scheduled for Feb. 26.
If U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is the Democratic nominee, she could help fellow New York Democrats on the ballot.
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