"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.