My conversation with Tom Suozzi
"Sir, what kind of future do you see for yourself in the Democratic Party after you get crushed by Eliot Spitzer in the September primary?"
Thus began my first conversation with Tom Suozzi, as opposed to any number of conversations about Tom Suozzi, yesterday afternoon on the Brooklyn Promenade (crawling with various candidates and causes, but that's another story).
Notably, he didn't answer my question, unless a sudden tightening of his broad smile was answer enough. I suspect that he does not have an answer to that one, and more's the pity. What followed was some interesting repartée, transcribed here with reasonable accuracy, the goal of which, on my part, was to get a firmer grasp on the man.
"I want to cut your taxes. What, don't you want your taxes cut?"
"You've never cut taxes in Nassau, what are you talking about doing things differently in Albany?"
"So what, you think Eliot's going to lower your taxes?"
"What I don't understand, Mr. Suozzi, is this: there are so many things you could do. You have so much talent, so much going for you. You're young, smart, competent and handsome. You could run for the Senate one day. I have prayed that you would take on Peter King, because you'd win that race, in a landslide, and we need that seat. What are you thinking going into this race, where everybody has already made up their minds?"
"That's what primaries are for, and I believe that I can be a better governor than Eliot. I just don't want a legislative job - I'm an executive, always have been."
"True enough, but here's the deal: you're at 13%, have been for a while, and you don't seem to be going anywhere. So why are you running this year? This just doesn't make sense."
"Well, put it this way: the next governor is going to be a Democrat. If you're worried about my chances, I'm beating Faso by twenty-five points."
So what to make of Tom Suozzi, the man?
Clearly, this man is ambitious and driven. It seems to irk him that his candidacy, which seemingly makes a lot of sense in his eyes (and would in many, in any other year) can't get much traction. There's a sense of impatience there under the surface, along with one that can perhaps be called a sense of entitlement. What I found most telling was the remark about not wanting a legislative job; that seems to indicate that it will be Tom Suozzi who will tell us in what capacity we may have the privilege of his service to the body politic. The driving force here, to state the obvious, is ego; and while that does not necessarily have to be anything to scoff at, it's a thin reed to hold on to in this year of all years.
What I would suggest to Tom Suozzi is this: consider the endgame. At a minimum, this candidacy has garnered attention for a man that has all the trappings of a rising star; just not this year. There's a lot of support out there for someone with this kind of drive; but again, not this year. Don't burn the bridges which many New Yorkers may want to see you walk over in another four years, or eight, or even twelve. Don't rob us of your future, Tom.
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2006 Elections | New York City | Democratic Party | Thomas Suozzi
Go to room8
Submitted by Rock Hackshaw (not verified) on 5 July 2006 - 2:26pm.
Go to Room8(www.r8ny.com) of June 6th 2006. The article is entitled "An open letter to Tom Suozzi".
Here's the link
Submitted by Bouldin on 5 July 2006 - 3:21pm.
As is his wont, Mister Hackshaw is right on target. Check it out.
Michael...
Submitted by mole333 on 5 July 2006 - 2:47pm.
Do you always have to softball politicians?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Submitted by Liza Sabater on 5 July 2006 - 3:06pm.
I just can imagine Souzzi's face.
Hear! Hear!
Submitted by Antid Oto (not verified) on 5 July 2006 - 4:22pm.
I have prayed that you would take on Peter King, because you'd win that race, in a landslide, and we need that seat.
What, being a U.S. Representative is so bad? What, you'd rather lose a race for Governor?
Suozzi
Submitted by rwallnerny on 5 July 2006 - 6:20pm.
Here's a prediction-- I don't think Suozzi will survive petitioning. Nobody I know of is petitioning for him and I passed a garbage can down in Union Square yesterday that had empty Suozzi petitions on them, somebody just gave up and threw a bunch of them away.
My guess is that not making the petition requirements could be an easy out for Suozzi. He's really only in this race to start making his name statewide for future races. He has now done that. People know who he is. Staying in the race to get demolished by Spitzer serves little purpose. He can get out next week and just say he didn't get enough signatures.
Problem with that
Submitted by Bouldin on 7 July 2006 - 12:35am.
...is that that would be the most humiliating way to leave the race. That would foreclose any future for him right there - "oh look, there's the guy that ran for governor, spent millions on ads and didn't get enough signatures to make the ballot". Talk about becoming a non-viable political laughingstock.
Which is why that particular scenario is not going to happen.
Your assessment of Tom's ego
Submitted by Gatemouth (not verified) on 5 July 2006 - 8:02pm.
Your assessment of Tom's ego and ambition are right on target. My only question is, aside from the fact that he's almost surely going to lose, how does any of this make him different in those qualities than Spitzer?
Unlike the Senate primary, which is clearly draining "left" money from places it is better spent, Spitzer's money would be going any where else useful. That which does not come from Bernard comes from the usual Albany suspects making sure they are with a winner. If the Albany money weren't going to Spitzer, it would only leave more for Joe Bruno. Suozzi's money comes from Nassau players, and from Spitzer haters; if the former didn't give to Tom, they'd give it to Dean Skelos for use by Bruno; if the latter didn't give it to Tom, they'd give it to Faso. Either way, we are better off with it going where it's going.
As such, the only harm Suozzi's candidacy is doing is self inflicted by Tom upon himself. I like most of Tom's message, but unlike you Michael, most of those aching for Suozzi to go away do not wish him well, and, in fact, many wish the State even worse; a mere re-arangement of the deck chairs on the Titanic ship of state. I hope you are correct that Spitzer does represent a new paradigm, but the company he keeps seems to believe otherwise.
Interesting take on the money
Submitted by Bouldin on 7 July 2006 - 12:38am.
I hadn't considered that, truth be told. As to Spitzer, it's fruitless to speculate, but my sense is that he will be a change agent. Perhaps you're a bit more jaded than I am, who knows?
Suozzi won't be in Politics in 2009
Submitted by Nassau Nell (not verified) on 7 July 2006 - 10:52am.
...people in the know in Nassau know why Suozzi is running so hard this year: he has no future. In January 2007 every statewide job in New York State will be held by a Democrat--effectivly blocking any Suozzi advancement. Additionally, and less well known, is that the Nassau County Budget--Suozzi's current point of pride--is going to explode in 2007&2008 as many County obligations currently off-budget come due; as well as the festering fiscal volcano known as the County owned Nassau University Medical Center. Suozzi knows this and knows he MUST be out of Nassau before it all comes down around him.
that was awesome
oh man, this is one of those moments i wish for a podcast. Effing brilliant, Michael.