Carl Paladino Remains Strong Candidate Against Andrew Cuomo in NY Governor's Race

In a recent Quinnipiac poll conducted September 16 - 20, GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, aided by a 4 -1 margin among Tea Partiers, trails New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic candidate for Governor, 49 - 43 percent among likely voters.

Seven percent of those polled were undecided. Cuomo's six-point lead is certainly not a comfortable one and Carl Paladino remains a formidable candidate.

Note: Only 18 percent of New York State likely voters consider themselves part of the Tea Party movement, but they back Paladino 77 - 18 percent. Additionally, Paladino is favored 49 - 43 percent among independent voters.

Days after the Quinnipiac poll, Marist and Siena College polls show Andrew Cuomo with a significant lead when Rick Lazio, who remains on the Conservative line, is factored in.

Is the Ground Zero Mosque Debate a Factor?

In an earlier Quinnipiac poll it was revealed that most NY voters are opposed to the Ground zero mosque. In an updated poll by Quinnipiac, conducted during the same time period of the Paladino/Cuomo poll, it was revealed that the New York opposition to the mosque near Ground Zero has grown.

Before the primaries, candidate Rick Lazio challenged Andrew Cuomo to investigate the Cordoba Initiative's dubious connections and shady financing regarding the purchase of the site to house Imam Rauf's mega mosque and Islamic center.

It is in Cuomo's purview as attorney general to have registered charities open their books, especially when the charity shows less than 22 thousand-dollars in those books and gets involved with purchasing a building for 4.85 million-dollars in cash.

Andrew Cuomo not only refused to acknowledge a reason to investigate, but embarrassingly hid behind the first amendment perverting the Constitution by suggesting it somehow protects the shenanigans of Imam Rauf and his Initiative.

The Constitution protects freedom of religion not financial impropriety.

As Rick Lazio was calling for an investigation, Paladino took it a step further and stated as governor he will use the "power of eminent domain to stop the mosque and use the site as a war memorial instead of as a monument to those that attacked our country."

Rick Lazio subsequently lost to Paladino in the Republican primary, but remains in the race on the Conservative line.

The Quinnipiac poll doesn't address the Lazio factor. Lazio remaining in the race will split the vote, pulling votes away from Paladino as the Marist and Siena polls indicate. Republican leaders are in talks with Lazio to see if he will quit the race and in a show of support and unity endorse Carl Paladino, the Republican primary winner.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg Endorses Cuomo.

On Wednesday, Mayor Bloomberg stated he is strongly endorsing Andrew Cuomo's candidacy for governor, but if one didn't know any better the mayor's words sound like an endorsement for Paladino, "New Yorkers deserve a leader in Albany who is committed to cleaning up the ethical mess in Albany and reforming government."

The mayor also said, "We need real change, we need new strategies, we need independent leadership."

One will have to boldly allow ideology to trump sound reasoning if they believe Andrew Cuomo, part of the establishment and son of former NY Governor Mario Cuomo represents "real change" and "new strategies."

The NYC mayor also sides with Cuomo on the mosque debate and insultingly claimed it is un-American to investigate Rauf's Initiative. Many voters believe it is un-American not to.

New York's Dirty Politics

Current NY Gov. David Paterson was Eliot Spitzer's lieutenant governor in 2008 and took over the role as governor when Spitzer was forced to resign amid a prostitution scandal. Spitzer was revealed to be the now infamous Client No.9 during a prostitution sting.

In the 90s Spitzer held Cuomo's current job as AG and Cuomo was Cabinet secretary in the Clinton administration. The two popular Democrats began to spar when Cuomo launched an investigation known back then as Troopergate and found wrongdoing among Spitzer's top aides.

Eliot Spitzer recently called Andrew Cuomo the "dirtiest, nastiest political player out there."

Ironically, David Paterson announced in February he will not run against Cuomo to keep his post as governor due to a scandal involving a Paterson top aid.

Andrew Cuomo was originally leading the investigation against Paterson until he recused himself as a result of the questionable ethics of investigating his own chief political rival in the Democratic gubernatorial race.

The New York Economy

As a result of non-existent leadership, a Progressive stranglehold stronghold and corruption New York is virtually bankrupt and in April held the distinction of being the tax capitol of the world.

In 2008, Governor Paterson, along with his fellow Democrats, offered a staggering4 billion-dollar package of taxes and fees to address New York's escalating 15 billion-dollar deficit.

Paladino beating Rick Lazio in the GOP primary is an indication of Republican frustration against the establishment, as Lazio is considered to be a part of.

Carl Paladino's emergence as a viable candidate in the NY Governor's race is not only indicative of a bump from his primary win but also a sign of all voters showing frustration with the establishment; Andrew Cuomo is clearly part of the liberal old guard that has earned the ire of the people.

Sources: embedded in article.