Republicans Hope to Block a Candidate

[Judi Lynn]

Republicans Hope to Block a Candidate

By PATRICK HEALY and JENNIFER MEDINA
Published: May 18, 2006

Prominent New York Republicans took steps yesterday to derail John Faso's bid for the party nomination for governor by assailing him as an extremist conservative who would drag down the entire Republican slate in the November elections.

The onslaught against Mr. Faso, a former assemblyman, could help prepare the way for a major development, several New York Republicans said: Gov. George E. Pataki's endorsement of another candidate, William F. Weld.

These Republicans, who are close to Mr. Pataki, said he would like to endorse Mr. Weld but could do so only if Mr. Faso was seen by Republican voters as an out-of-touch extremist who would not win enough support from moderates and women to beat the likely Democratic nominee for governor, Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. These Republicans were granted anonymity to disclose political strategy that they were not authorized to discuss publicly.

"While the governor thinks John has been an outstanding candidate, he has significant concerns about his voting record and the ability to raise the funds to overcome it," a Republican close to the governor said. But, this Republican cautioned, "It is incumbent upon the Weld campaign to talk to party leaders throughout the state."
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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/18/nyregion/18gov.html