The so-called "experts" on politics were unanimous in their conclusion about New York's 13th District (Staten Island-Brooklyn) after Republican Rep. Vito Fossella announced he wasn't running again. With Democratic leaders settling on City Councilman Michael McMahon as their candidate and Republicans having an exasperating time recruiting a nominee (one candidate they settled on suddenly died), the consensus was that the last district in New York City to send a Republican to the House would fall in Une and, after 28 years, send a Democrat.
But the political "know-it-alls", as eventual Republican nominee Bob Straniere puts it, "don't know it all about Staten Island and Brooklyn. With 450 of the 600 precincts in Staten Island and the rest in Brooklyn, this is one of John McCain's best districts in New York. George W. Bush carried the 13th easily (55% of the vote) and the McCain-Palin ticket will do even better. And my opponent and I both have records that I can't wait to contrast!"
During 24 years in the New York State Assembly, Straniere proudly opposed tax increases across the board. On the council, opponent McMahon, he points out, "supported an entry fee for people who work in Manhattan and that is lethal to folks who commute from the outer boroughs."
The GOP hopeful (who additionally carries the second ballot Une of the New York Conservative Party) also emphasizes mat "my opponent takes the Obama-Biden Une on abortion and energy. Fve always been pro-life and I've made two trips to Alaska and say we should move on ANWR. My opponent takes the same line on both issues as Nancy Pelosi, who has contributed to his campaign."
For all the talk about his being a late entry or the second or third choice for the nomination, Bob Straniere, attorney and owner of a hot dog business, is a "street comer conservative." He knows how to take a message through the avenues of Brooklyn and to the bungalows of Staten Island. And his message is clear: Michael McMahon is a liberal and Bob Straniere is a conservative. That's been a winning formula before for Republicans in New York's 13th District With help for Bob Straniere from his fellow conservatives around the country, it can work again.
(Bob Sraniere for Congress, 885 Annadale Rd., Staten Island, N. Y. 10312; 718-966-2424; Robert@bobstraniere.com)
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