Cuomo-Green Race Gets Closer

Amid signs that the race for the Democratic nomination for state attorney general may be tightening, frontrunner Andrew Cuomo's lead over Mark Green now stands at 13 points according to a Quinnipiac University poll released last week.

That development came as Cuomo drew sharp criticism from Green and his other rivals for refusing to participate in a second debate. Cuomo said he would take part in only one of six planned debates before the September 12 primary.

Green, who has been going after Cuomo throughout the campaign on a variety of issues, took the occasion of Cuomo's debate withdrawal to attack again.

If Cuomo couldn't stand on his own two feet in a fair debate during the primary, how, Green asked, can he stand up to Republican attorney general candidate Jeanine Pirro if he must face her in the general election?

Another Cuomo primary rival, Sean Patrick Maloney, also pummeled the frontrunner, saying, "This race is wide open and voters deserve to hear from all the people who want to be hired."

Several days after the debate issue arose last Tuesday, Cuomo suffered another setback as Eliot Spitzer, who's far ahead in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, announced he would take no action in the four-way attorney general primary.

Although Spitzer's comment applies to all four candidates and could be considered a rebuff to each one, it would appear to harm Cuomo most because Spitzer arguably had more reason to endorse Cuomo because both are part of the statewide Democratic organization's ticket. It would also seem Spitzer was rubbing salt into Cuomo's wound by unsolicitedly announcing the "no endorsement" policy several days after Cuomo had announced his no-debate policy.

Spitzer made his announcement after he and Cuomo had been endorsed by the Grand Council of Guardians, a statewide organization of African American law enforcement officers.

The organization also endorsed City Councilmember Hiram Monserrate (D-Corona), who is challenging incumbent state Senator John Sabini (D-Jackson Heights) in the 13th District primary election.

Sabini, meanwhile, on Monday received endorsements from an array of African American Leaders in New York City, including senate Minority Leader David Patterson the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, and Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. The endorsements, which were announced at a City Hall ceremony, should validate his commitment and record of service to minority communities, Sabini said.

Still on endorsements, Green picked up one from the Sierra Club, one of the leading environmental organizations in the country.

RUDY STRONG FOR PIRRO: As the Democrats vying for the attorney general nomination get more frantic with the primary now only 13 days away, the Republican nominee for the post, Jeanine Pirro, is looking more competitive lately, thanks to Rudy Giuliani.

The ex-NYC mayor, the top Republican in the state, has indicated he plans extended support for the ex-Westchester district attorney. This includes a major fundraiser for her and also campaign appearances with her.

Giuliani is touting Pirro's law and order record as well as her efforts against sexual predators. Giuliani is also firmly behind Republican gubernatorial candidate John Faso. It's all part of his plan to advance his presidential agenda in 2008, which has him supporting GOP candidates all around the country with campaign and financial support.

ONORATO FUNDRAISER: Looking ahead to a 13th term in the state senate, Senator George Onorato will hold a fundraising reception Wednesday evening, September 26 at Riccardo's, 21-04 24th Ave., Astoria from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Onorato, the senior Democrat in the Queens senate delegation, has been occupied in the past month with the fallout from the Northwest Queens power blackout and its aftereffects and has joined with other local lawmakers in seeking the causes of the breakdown so steps can be taken to prevent a repeat of the disturbing event.

WEPRIN BLASTS TICKET BLITZES: Steaming over the issuance of a $115 parking ticket to a Brooklyn priest who had parked outside a hospital to bless a sick parishioner, Councilmember David Weprin (D-Hollis) blasted the Bloomberg mayoral administration's overzealous ticket blitzes and said the Finance Committee, which he chairs, is planning to hold public hearings on the issue shortly.

"I'm calling on them to use common sense and dismiss this ticket on appeal," Weprin declared as he charged the ticket blitzes are designed to "raise revenue on the backs of citizens."

Weprin raised the issue last Wednesday, citing the ticket issued to the Rev. Cletus Forson on July 26 as he paid a 20-minute visit to a parishioner to offer a blessing following emergency surgery. The cleric paid the fine under protest after his explanation failed to persuade an administrative law judge to dismiss the charge.

PADAVAN'S STORM PREPARATION ADVICE: Last week's severe storms showed that state Senator Frank Padavan's urging for residents to prepare for the hurricane season were very timely.

Last Wednesday, the Bellerose lawmaker announced that he had teamed up with several supermarkets in Queens to encourage residents to prepare their families and homes for expected storms. He said Waldbaum, C-Town and Bravo supermarkets were distributing free information to help consumers create their own disaster preparedness kits.

"With the help of supermarket owners, without whom this project wouldn't be possible, I'm hopeful that we can help our residents to better prepare themselves in case of a hurricane," Padavan (R-C, Bellerose) noted.

"Get Ready" hurricane preparedness brochures are also available by calling Padavan's district office at 718-343-0255. Additional information is also available on his Web site, www.frankpadavan.com.

GIANARIS HAILED: Citing his leadership in the Assembly on environmental issues, Environmental Advocates of New York recently recognized Assemblymember Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) for his efforts to create a cleaner atmosphere.

Among Gianaris' accomplishments in this area, the environmental group cited his acclaimed Clean Energy Law, which encourages the phasing out of old, polluting power plants and his role in closing the New York Power Authority's Poletti power plant in Astoria.

Among the bills supported by Gianaris that led to his recognition by Environmental Advocates were the Community Preservation Act, the Clean Water Protection/Flood Prevention Act, the Bigger Better Bottle Bill and the EPF Enhancement Act. This legislative package was essential in working towards protecting the state's communities, waters and lands.

CROWLEY'S ANTI-GENOCIDE EFFORTS LAUDED: The Genocide Intervention Network, a humanitarian organization, has given Congressmember Joseph Crowley a perfect score for his efforts in stemming the ongoing crisis in the Darfur region in the African nation of Sudan. Sudanese government-backed militias have killed more than 400,000 people and driven close to 3 million from their homes.

Crowley's high score was based on several legislative efforts to deal with the genocide crisis, which first brought international attention to the situation. He also voted to provide additional funds for humanitarian aid and protection for the citizens there.

Crowley, the minority Democrats' chief deputy whip and an International Relations Committee member, also urged the United States and the United Nations to take a more active role in trying to stop the slaughter.