Who Says Bush Derangement Syndrome Is False?

Maloney: Bush Worse Than Heat Miser

In the previous post about Governor Spitzer's crusading toy agents, I neglected to mention Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney's quote in the news release. She said:

“The Bush administration seems to think the federal government should just close its eyes and hope that Santa makes sure our children's toys are safe. But Governor Spitzer and I think the best gift for American families is to ensure that the Consumer Product Safety Commission gets unsafe toys off store shelves.”

Santa Spitzer Gets Tough On Toys

Governor Spitzer today announced a "new statewide recall of unsafe toys." He ordered his top toy agents from the state Consumer Protection Board to "sweep" (I'm trying not to laugh writing this, btw) random New York toy stores. The agents apprehended three toys. The accused are the “Army Force” Car Set, “Sprite Tractor Trailer” toys and “Wrestle Mania” action figures.

Following "strict protocols" Gov. Spitzer had the Department of Health test the accused toys "from retail outlets in Albany and in New York City." All were found to have "exceeded the federal standard of lead levels allowed in paint, which is 600 parts per million."

Well, guess what the Governor's news release left out? By how much these toys exceeded the federal standard, a complete description of how the toys were tested and an explanation from the DOH professionals who tested the toys. Also omitted were the stores where the toys were bought.

Despite a news release with ten different officials hyperventilating about the danger lead poses to New York's children, why didn't Governor Spitzer name the toy stores? Wouldn't it be the best way to protect children from these toys? Because if Mr. and Mrs. John Doe know a Target in Albany or a Toys "R" Us in Bay Ridge now sell dangerous toys, they'll shop somewhere else.

I'll tell you why Santa Spitzer and his top toy agents didn't name the stores. Because if they're wrong they'd have a lawsuit on their hands. It's better to play it safe and go with the cheap public relations stunt.

Much like the call to close the Indian Point nuclear power plant last week, this toy story is an attempt to draw attention away from the "Dirty Tricks" scandal. It remains to be seen if the strategy will work. From a reading of his latest favorable-unfavorable numbers released this morning by Siena College Gov. Spitzer has a long way to go.

Day 344, Nothing Changes

New York: Party Hacks Still Wait for Career Day

"Spitzer’s Distaste For Patronage Has Left Pataki’s People In Place" is the subhead. In the blurb an anonymous source claims, “Many big Dems do think Eliot needs to give Dems patronage jobs. Eliot doesn’t believe in giving unqualified people jobs.”

Yeah, right.

It's this preening moral superiority that gets Gov. Spitzer and his people in political trouble. Forget about Gov. Pataki's patronage. Some of Gov. Cuomo's patronage is still in place. It has nothing to do with "giving unqualified people jobs." There are hundreds of qualified, loyal Democrats prepared to work for Governor Spitzer. All it takes is the will and the ability to hire them.

In addition, the unqualified nephew of a party big in Cattaraugus County or Greenwich Village can always be deposited in a D-level agency. That's the way it works, for better or worse. If the Governor or his appointments office don't understand that reality they're one step closer to a primary from Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Perhaps the Governor and his staff will finally come to the realization that working on the second floor is harder than it appears. Much harder. I wouldn't bet on it.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil

The state Public Integrity Commission at work.

A story by Fred Dicker in today's New York Post describes the state Public Integrity Commission's "investigation" into Governor Spitzer's attempt to use the State Police to destroy the career of Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno.

The Serenity Pollster: Another Useless Poll

Newsday: Rivals Clinton and Giuliani Feeling The Heat

The Serenity Pollster: May I continue to strive to maintain the Polling Serenity to accept the crosstabs things that are not mine to sample change, courage to change the focus groups things that I should for the margin of error betterment of my fees the planet or even one likely voter life upon it , and the wisdom to know the wording of the question difference.

The media's addiction to polls and the horse race continues apace. It's still a semi-eternity to February 5. Anything can happen.