Queens GOP Seeks Moderate, Eloquent Money-Raisers
"Aside from ideology," Hornak told me, describing the type of talent he's looking for, "somebody who is comfortable with public speaking" who also has "the ability to raise money."
"On the ideological side," he continued, "generally Republicans who will be reformers and fiscal conservatives. Moderate on social issues. Pro-choice, but against gay marriage. The ideal candidate is somebody in the middle."
Hornak's email pleading for candidates to step forward, is after the jump.
-- Azi Paybarah"Dear Friends,
I would like to call to your attention this press release the Queens County Republican Party sent out yesterday, in part to announce my appointment as the head of the newly formed Candidate Recruitment and Development Committee. While I am excited to take on this challenge, I recognize this is a huge task, especially for 2009 when we will likely have 15 open council seats, thanks to term limits, up for election. I have already begun to form a committee to work on this project with me, and am committed to challenging the democrats where ever we can find viable candidates.
We hope to have some good candidates lined up for 2008, however, my emphasis will be on 2009 and developing a strong slate of candidates for city council, where we have our best opportunities to pick up seats. Also because I believe in planning ahead and will get as many candidates as possible started on both '08 and '09 campaigns this year.
Lastly, if anyone knows of a good potential candidate in Queens, or someone already thinking of running for office, please put me in touch with them as soon as possible. I will also be spearheading the formation of our Candidate School, which will kick off this May, and want to make sure that every potential candidate is included in this important first step toward creating a campaign for public office.
If anyone has any questions I can be reached at (646) ###-####.
Best, Robert"
they're going to need a heck of a lot of luck. There are so many strong Democrats lined up, I doubt they pick up a single seat, and may lose the Gallagher one.
Hornack couldn't elect a dog catcher at an AKC Convention. He's the biggest fraud in GOP politics. He has no idea what he's doing.
Hornack is the greatest gift the Democrats have ever received.
Considering that the two most powerful Republicans in Queens, Senators Serpin Maltese and Frank Padavan barely speak to each other and that there's internal strife because the County Chairmanship was awarded to the grandfatherly Phil Ragusa, who ran probably the worst Councilmanic campaign in recent memory, I don't give the GOP much hope.
I myself am running for Alderman. My chance of attaining an office which no longer exists is about as good as any non-incumbent Republican in Queens running for one that does.
To say there are many strong democrats lined up without naming names means nill, in my book. There will be no queens incumbents in 2009 and to say a non-incumbent democrat will have more pull than a non-incubment republican beyond having an edge on registration numbers isn't really an edge. The Queens GOP certainly has an uphill climb to win more than just one seat in 2009 and state seats in 2008, but sometimes victory can be more than just winning seats. The NYC GOP needs to start somewhere and picking Robert Hornak seems like a good first step.