Finally, Thompson Gets Into Rudy's Path To GOP Nomination

It has been about a month since Fred Thompson, a low-key Tennessean, entered the race for the Republican presidential nomination, bringing with him the hopes of the party's conservative wing of overtaking frontrunner Rudy Giuliani.

Although national polls immediately following Thompson's longdelayed entrance into the race showed him fairly close to Giuliani, his subdued style later gave indications that the former United States Senator was losing his initial surge against Giuliani and not making much impact overall in the GOP field.

However, there could be some change in that picture because of recent events. Thompson made his first appearance in a debate against the Republican hopefuls last night in Detroit, which will surely provide some evidence as to how he stacks up against Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Senator John McCain.

The Gazette went to press several hours before the candidates debated. We do, however, expect extensive coverage in the print and broadcast media, and local press to do major reporting on its impact.

Thompson, who has been playing the district attorney on the "Law and Order" television series, will get a more prominent New York City platform to pursue Giuliani on his home turf next Monday night, when he will be the featured speaker at the state Conservative Party fall dinner at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Manhattan.

This event may or may not have any impact on Thompson's chances against Giuliani in the national campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, but it surely could have a great bearing on Giuliani's chances of winning New York state and its electoral votes if, as expected, he faces off against Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton in the general election next year.

The latest Quinnipiac University poll shows Clinton leading Giuliani in New York State by a 48-to-41 count. If Thompson runs on the Conservative Party line in New York, he could easily siphon off enough Republican votes to assure a Clinton victory here.

It's still a long way for party tickets to be firmed up, but Conservative Party State Chairman Michael Long sounded last week like Thompson could appear on his party's ballot line.

Long, whose organization did not support Giuliani in any of his three races for mayor, stated in announcing Thompson's appearance at the dinner, "Thompson has a lion's share of support at the moment among New York Conservatives- we're very honored and pleased he will speak."

In other comments by Long affirming how favorably Thompson is regarded, he said that Thompson is closer to the ideals of the Conservatives, and that Thompson's positions are more aligned with Conservatives' opposition to Giuliani's support for abortion rights and gun control, among other issues.

Another old Giuliani foe, former U.S. Senator Alfonse D'Amato, has also emerged in Thompson's corner in the presidential squabbling. D'Amato, who helped defeat Giuliani in the 1989 mayoral race by aiding in organizing a primary challenge earlier that year, helped Thompson prepare for last night's debate by playing the role of New York City's exmayor in mock debates with Thompson.

TABONE MOVES UP: Still on the subject of Giuliani, we heard from Vince Tabone, one of his most loyal and staunchest supporters in Queens last week. Tabone, at one time the driving force behind the Republican organization in Astoria/Long Island City who moved to Bayside several years ago is now a key player in the Queens Republican organization under the new county leader, Philip Ragusa.

Tabone, an attorney, became vice chairman of the county organization under Ragusa and last week was elected District Chairman in the 26th Assembly District, which is headed by Ragusa and Gloria Piekarski. Tabone succeeded Joseph Papillo as district chairman after Papillo resigned for personal reasons. The 26th AD club is the largest in Eastern Queens.

Tabone played a key role in Giuliani's two mayoral victories and then served in the Giuliani and Bloomberg administrations in the citywide Economic Development Corporation, with primary responsibility for economic development in Queens. He is now in private practice and supporting the Giuliani campaign in Queens and New York State.

ADD PATERSON AS POSSIBLE HILLARY REPLACEMENT: There's already a long list of those interested in replacing Hillary Clinton as New York State's junior U.S. Senator if Clinton is elected president in 2009. Among them are Queens Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney and Gregory Meeks, Manhattan's Jerrold Nadler and Nita Lowey of Westchester.

Recently the name of Lieutenant Governor David Paterson was added to the list, and some say even state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is being mentioned. Environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s name is also being mentioned in Albany.

If Clinton does move into the White House, choosing her replacement will rest solely with Governor Eliot Spitzer. This raises the possibility that the man in Albany closest to the governor- Paterson- might have the inside track, especially because the Harlem Democrat is interested in the Washington appointment.

That would leave a lot of disappointed pols whose only option would be to run for the job when it's up for election, but the incumbent- whoever he or she is- would have a huge advantage.

KATZ FUNDRAISER: City Councilmember Melinda Katz, who's eyeing the city comptroller job in the 2009 election when she'll be term limited out of her present position, will be given a fundraiser by Friends of Melinda Katz on Tuesday, October 23 in her home district at the Forest Hills Jewish Center, 106-06 Queens Blvd.

Others seeking the comptroller post are Councilmember David Weprin (D- Hollis) and possibly Councilmembers Simcha Felder and David Yassky, both from Brooklyn. Another possibility is Assemblymember James Brennan, also a Brooklyn Democrat.

LEGISLATIVE REVUE ON TAP: Almost every Queens lawmaker at every level of government will forget official duties the evening of November 17 and pick up a guitar or don tap shoes to take part in the annual Legislative Revue at Queens Theater in the Park in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

They'll be greeted by their colleagues in government, lobbyists, friends, families and anyone who loves a fun night. Festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. and end at the after-theshow cast and sponsor dessert extravaganza.

For ticket information call any lawmaker or Queens Theater In The Park. Sponsors are Con Edison, New York Hospital Queens, Flushing Savings Bank and Citibank, among others.