The state political parties are playing “Trading Places” at this week’s nominating conventions, with the Democrats uncharacteristically acting like a well-oiled machine, while the usually lockstep Republicans face a major battle on the floor.
Instead of the top-of-theticket drama that Democrats have often seen, things are tranquil on the left side of the ballot, with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton seeking re-election and state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer leading all polls in his quest to become governor.
But the Republicans are watching the party chairman’s pick for governor, William Weld, fend off a surge in support for former state Assemblyman John Faso, and the outcome of that fight is the biggest question mark for the GOP as they head to Garden City, L.I., for their festivities.
“It’s a real role reversal,” said Baruch College political science expert Doug Muzzio. “The Democrats are holding coronations and the Republicans are having circular firing squads . . .
they’re cross-dressing.” The Democrats will start their election-year event first, with votes beginning on Tuesday in Buffalo. On Wednesday, state committee members will begin casting ballots for the Republican candidates – including Weld, Faso and bitter U.S.
Senate rivals John Spencer and KT McFarland.
Starting tomorrow, Democrats from around the state will begin converging in Buffalo for a string of receptions for candidates – including Spitzer, his running mate David Paterson, and state AG rivals Andrew Cuomo and Mark Green, who are providing the biggest excitement on the Democratic side.
The biggest head-turners will be the Clintons – Bill, Hillary and Chelsea, all of whom will be on hand to watch the senator, who’s trouncing her GOP rivals in all the polls, get crowned the official nominee.
East of New York City, Faso and Weld – and Spencer and McFarland – face off for support.
Weld, who was once seen as the anointed candidate, has stumbled recently – and even an expected backer, Gov. Pataki, decided to stay neutral.
And one of the biggest questions heading into the weekend was how the Faso-Weld fight will play out on the convention floor.
Last week, several consultants were whispering that Weld could fail to get to the magic number – 25 percent of the weighted vote, which is required to be granted an automatic spot on the primary ballot.
While it’s highly unlikely that Weld won’t hit 25 percent, “it says a lot about Weld that such a question is even posed,” said one Democratic operative.
But many political insiders questioned whether McFarland will reach 25 percent.
TALE OF THE TAPE
How the state Democratic and Republican party conventions match up:
Democrats
Buffalo
Symbol of Democrats’ upstate confidence
Five countries, including Pakistan and Germany
Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton
Tom Suozzi
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton
Republicans
Garden City, L.I.
GOP stronghold and Democrat Tom Suozzi’s back yard
None
Jeanine Pirro, Joe Bruno and George Pataki
Rudy Giuliani, Mike Bloomberg, Al D’Amato
Jeanine Pirro
Chris Callaghan (candidate for state comptroller)
PARTY
LOCALE
POLITICAL Significance
FOREIGN Media
ATTENDEES
NON-ATTENDEES
OPENING
CLOSING