Rangel and Suozzi Clash Over Backing From Wealthy Republican

Rangel and Suozzi Clash Over Backing From Wealthy Republican

By JENNIFER MEDINA
Published: June 16, 2006

A leading Democrat in the New York Congressional delegation yesterday criticized Thomas R. Suozzi, a Democratic candidate for governor, faulting his association with a wealthy Republican benefactor who opposes Democrats in Washington.

The Congressional leader, Representative Charles B. Rangel, said that Mr. Suozzi should return the thousands of dollars he has received from the supporter, Kenneth G. Langone, a co-founder of Home Depot.

"Some of us believe that the Republican Party has taken our state of New York, as well as our nation, in the wrong direction," Mr. Rangel wrote in a letter to Mr. Suozzi, which was also distributed to reporters. "I certainly thought that you were one of us."

Mr. Suozzi retorted just hours later, saying that he was a loyal Democrat and that he and Mr. Langone "fundamentally disagree on this issue."
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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/16/nyregion/16gov.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Al Sharpton did, and now he's been reduced to being the big-mouthed scare-whitey guy on news shows and doing no-credit predatory car loan commercials.

:headbang:
rocknation

is a loyal democrat. he knows that things need fixing in albany. He did a great job turning Nassau County around.

If he is such a loyal dem., why did he side with the rethugs on a squabble with the council?

the county business wasnt moving forward due to egos and personal ambitions. he knew what was better for the county.

blame the parties involved not suozzi, he wanted to do right by the county.

I live on Long Island in Nassau county, so I know Swozzi very well. He is a sleazy rat for sure. Our taxes have gone up 100% since he became county exec. Also other then blind ambition, why would he challenge a good man in a primary and wast dem. campaign money?

Could be Langone is funding Suozzi to make sure that doesn't happen?

suozzi is a loyal democrat

i personally plan on voting for him in the primary. i think he can actually make change happen in albany instead of the insiders up there now.

"Mr. Langone, a former chairman of the New York Stock Exchange compensation committee, has been one of the subjects of a civil suit from Mr. Spitzer's office over pay for a top executive. Mr. Langone has promised considerable financial backing to Mr. Suozzi in the campaign.

At a fund-raiser this week for former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mr. Langone spoke of the need to keep Republicans in power in Washington, in the House and the Senate.

"This is a critical time," Mr. Langone said. "It's not a time to turn the asylum over to the inmates."

Langone's support for Suozzi seems to be little more than a vendetta against Spitzer.