Eric Schneiderman should just declare he’s running for governor in 2018. The state attorney general is already devoting so many public resources to politics, instead of actual AG work, that making it official is the only honest approach.
It would also pave the way for someone who really wants to do the AG’s job.
Look at Schneiderman’s high-profile targets: ExxonMobil. Donald Trump. Companies in disputes with labor: like Domino’s and the Gap. He’s also fought with Citizens United, which has shined a light on Hillary Clinton’s abuses. All are villains to the left.
On Tuesday, Schneiderman announced a fresh probe of the Trump Foundation over a $25,000 donation to Florida’s attorney general. A charity can’t give to a political campaign, the AG says. “I’m just following the rules, like with any other charity.”
Any charity, that is, except the Clinton Foundation and its offshoots. Schneiderman gave the Clintons a pass on even just disclosing the names of foreign contributors, as state law requires. Yet his war with Citizens Union is over his demand for its donors’ names.
Schneiderman’s Exxon climate-change probe is just as political. Sunday, The Post cited an e-mail from Ted White, a partner of rich enviro-activist and Exxon foe Tom Steyer, noting the AG sought “a call with Tom regarding support for his race for governor . . . regarding Exxon case.”
Was Schneiderman squeezing Steyer for cash for a 2018 bid based on his Exxon probe?
Monday, the Daily Caller reported the AG snagged thousands from “monied individuals with ties to lawyers and environmentalists” backing his probe. Major greenie George Soros and his family gave close to $300,000. David Einhorn, another “clean energy” investor, forked over at least $122,300.
On Wednesday, a House hearing focused on the AG’s defiance of subpoenas it sent him for info about the probe. Would that info show his true motives?
Schneiderman insists he’s not running for gov. But his actions say otherwise. It’s past time for him to either admit he’s a candidate — or drop the politics and focus on his job.