Donovan Vs. Schneiderman: The Closest Race in the Election

With only four days left to the election for NYS Attorney General, the race is still too close to call. Democrat Eric Schneiderman has a slight lead over Republican Dan Donovan in the polls, but many voters are still undecided and all of their votes are up for grabs.

In my October 1^st article, "Schneiderman and Donovan Not Clear in The Race for State Attorney of New York," I said I was leaning toward Dan Donovan for Attorney General. Since then, I've been watching both Donovan and his opponent, Eric Schneiderman, closely.

I am no longer leaning toward Republican Dan Donovan. I am a Democrat and I choose Dan Donovan. I've stopped leaning and taken the full plunge.

My decision was influenced by both candidates. At the beginning of the month, I saw them as fairly equal. Throughout the month, as Donovan made a positive impression upon me, Schneiderman made a negative one.

Why I will Vote for Donovan

Dan Donovan has years of prosecutorial experience with a high conviction rate. He's tough on crime.

He is not a political insider and part of those Albany packrats.

Andrew Cuomo is a political insider. So, Donovan will create a good balance.

When I see Donovan on television, I see an honest, sincere man with nothing to hide.

I am pro-choice. I heard Donovan say on NY1's "Inside City Hall" that, though Catholic, he will uphold a woman's right to choose and I believe him. I think Schneiderman's accusations against Donovan on this issue are political hogwash.

Donovan has much less campaign money than Schneiderman. Donovan only has $331,913 to Schneiderman's $1.2 million, reports Capital Tonight. Yet, Schneiderman only has a "7 percentage point lead" over Donovan, according to the NY Times. Donovan's ability to be so close in such an uneven playing field is a strong testament to his merit.

Why I will not Vote for Schneiderman

With his huge monetary lead, Schneiderman had the audacity to accuse Donovan of "routinely accepting more money than he was allowed to under law," reports Capital Tonight. He is groping at straws to try to discredit Donovan which means he cannot come up with anything legitimately damning.

Schneiderman is an Albany political insider.

He admitted to a car accident and dubious tax deductions AFTER the fact. He accepted $76,000 from people involved with the Aqueduct racino scandal and returned it AFTER the fact. This all seems a little shifty.

For Schneiderman to promise Al Sharpton an annex in the Attorney General's office to get Sharpton's endorsement was absurd. It shows Schneiderman is willing to cower to special interests and that he is a typical political wheeler and dealer. I loved Donovan's debate retort on this issue. He said if he's elected, "Nineteen million people will have an annex."

When I see Schneiderman on television, I see a smug, shifty man who is not honest or ethical enough to be my state's Attorney General.

Dan Donovan has convinced me to vote for him on Tuesday, November 2^nd. And when I do, it will be the first time I ever vote for a Republican. I am voting out of my party because Dan Donovan is the right man for the job.

Sources:

NY1 News, "NY1 Online: State AG Candidate Dan Donovan On "Inside City Hall" 10/28/10," NY1

Joel Stashenko, "Poll Finds A.G.'s Race May Be State's Closest Contest," the NY Times

Capital Tonight, "Dan Donovan"