Bob, you're making me blush like a school-girl! I appreciate the kudo's and acknowlege I did bring in most of the signatures, but I'm not Wonderwoman - it could never heve been done in such sparse east end turf without the assistance of my 3 drivers, who literally drove me from door to door in torrential rain, suffered constant mosquito attacks and gave up beautiful summer weekends they could have been at the beach!
Frankly, the frenetic and "relentness" nature of my efforts on Guldi's behalf this cycle is a sincere attempt to redeem myself with the good people of Suffolk County for the huge mistake I made last cycle in working for Greg Fischer. I think the "intense loyalty" you mentioned above references how long it took me to heed the warnings from you and all the others about that fraudulent excuse for a candidate. I heartily apologize, but had to experience and witness Fischers lies, self-serving use and disposal of people, violence and lack of integrity for myself.
To add insult to injury, I persuaded George to take on Fischers criminal case, and having witnessed Fischers violent freakouts firsthand, now think it is possible, probable and likely that Fischer actually did assault and threaten the mother of his children.
I can only say I am sorry to have been taken in and used by him, and will do my best to make it right by supporting only credible candidates I know well from here on in.
On the up side, a number of us have spent years urging George to jump back into the fray, and his move this cycle comes at the perfect time to act on my need for redemption. Guldi was always an extremely smart, honest and hard working legislator, and in the 15 years or so I've known him, I've experienced and witnessed only decency, thoughtfulness. integrity and a committment to truly good government for ALL the people. During the ten years he served as 2nd LD legislator, the entire county benefitted fom his expertise, work ethic and accomplishments.
It was quite informative to listen to people in the 2nd district express their anger and frustration at Schneiderman and local Democraric representatives and then have them express such relief and excitement at the prospect of Guldi's return to the legislature to represent them. The citizens of the district are fed up and eager to be heard and well-served again. And I am proud to participate in making the change they clamor for.

So, according to Mr. Suffolk, I'll be forgiven for backing Fischer last cycle? Thanks, maybe I can stop beating myself up now.
However, I strongly disagree with Mr. Suffolk lumping Guldi into the "nutjob" camp. George grew up here, built a respectable practice, was involved in the community for many years prior to being recruited by credible people for his first run, and served with intelligence, integrity and honor. He's proven himself with a track record to be proud of.
Fischer moved here 7 or 8 years ago, following the first ex from Virginia, who took his first set of children (now in their early 20's, living in Sachem), and fled from his craziness. He did not disclose this information to me until well into the campaign, at which point I was fully committed; the "intense loyalty" Olson spoke of above clouded my judgement... it was just a downhill deterioration from there.
I did not know that Fischers 2007 run for the Riverhead Town Council was merely a stepping stone to set himself up for a state Senate run. Apparently, under the NYS Constitution, only a state senator can institute impeachment proceedings against a sitting judge. That is the ONLY reason Fischer wanted LaValle's seat, and it became a crusade for him when the second ex took the second set of kids and fled in September of 2007. Again, I did not know about any of this, and dismissed the many warnings from various camps as the old guard being threatened by this seemingly credible newcomer.
Don't get me wrong: Fischer is an intelligent guy with some good ideas. It just took a ridiculously long time for me to understand that in the end, it's all about HIM. He's really very much a Machivellian elitist who makes a good show of prentending to care about people and issues as long as it falls into his self-serving plans. Unfortunately, he does not possess the requisite integrity, focus or discipline, and explodedinto frightening tantrums with increasing frequency.
And, folks, we haven't seen the last of him: his current meal ticket is another case a him exploiting the low self-esteem of a woman whose soon-to-be ex-husband (a top Cablevison excutive) blatantly bedded everything in sightfor the 20+ years of their "marriage". and he's telling anyone who will listen that she's going to buy LaValles seat for him next year. So be nice to Fischer - if he can refrain from freaking out at her long enough, we'll end up calling him Senator.
So, while I appreciate Mr. Suffolk giving me a pass for making a mistake, I wonder if he'd care to rethink lumping George Guldi and a real "nutjob" in the same category?

I suspect Olson is correct: it's possible, probable & likely that Rich had petitions circulated for Tom Henry just to make it harder for our team to collect for George. That way they have the backup option to send Tom home and let the committee on vacancies bypass the rank and file (who expressed their wishes with their signatures) and appoint Schneiderman. Just another case of "screw the people". Apparently, party leadership on both sides prefer political sock puppets to credible candidates.
However, I'm confident George can even pull it off against Schneiderman. Look, Jay's an ok guy, but it's my contention he doesn't measure up to Guldi in terms of intelligence, innovation and institutional knowlege. I know he also angered quite a few folks by being quoted in Newsday as saying something to the effect of he "... beat George when he wasn't under indictment...". Uh, Jay? NEWS FLASH: the grand jury was (& I think, still is) being presented with the case when you gave that quote. Georges supporters and quite a few fence-sitters are pretty disgusted with blatant attempts like that to besmirch a mans good name.
Ultimately, though, even were an indictment to be obtained, it wouldn't hurt Guldi much - this is still America, where the accused are afforded the presumption of innocence. Besides, wasn't it Sol Wachtler who said "... a grand jury would indict a ham sandwich"?

Isom, did Guldi get indicted today? I spoke with him just a few minutes ago and he reported that Tom Henry dropped out (Olson called that one correctly) and that the GOP gave their line to Schneiderman, then we both had to answer other calls, but he sure didn't seem upset or preoccupied.
You happen to be right on the money about why he was charged. He was emphatically WARNED not to run, but you know George... he doesn't respond well to threats!
Hehe, this campaign is going to be a non-stop HOOT!

Mr. Suffolk, I think you under-estimate the intelligence of the good people of the 2nd LD. About half the folks who signed for George knew what he's been charged with and understood he is under attack precisely because he refused to be intimidated out of running. Of the remaining, about a third asked, "Wasn't he just arrested"? or "Isn't he indicted..."?, which I responded to with full disclosure and passionate urging to send a message that between delaying Marty Tankleff's freedom by 2 years, the debacle of charging the Filippino nurses and these egregious accusations against George, Tom Spota needs to be reined in and the party bosses need to be sent a clear message that the people won't tolerate a justice system run for "just us" or the loss of choice by all these crazy cross-endorsements by party bosses.
I was also informed that since Tom Henry dropped out, Rich Schaffer no longer has the option to bypass the rank and file and install a candidate, so Guldi is the Dem candidate and we won't have to run a primary (phew!).
To Bob Olson: man, I am truly humbled and honored by your kind words and the TR quote. I am well on the road to redemption. I owe you HUUUGE for listening to all my whining about damaging my good name, reputation and crediblity by my support of the candidate I ran last year. Though I like to say I'm never wrong, only "mistaken", I've swallowed my pride and have been making apologies and amends across the board... LOL, sure has kept my ego well in check.
While I relish the strategic and tactical side of this game, I've never been averse to scut work. I'm one of those odd ducks who actually enjoys and needs the on-the-ground interaction with the people (though I could do without the rain and mosquitos!).
I know I'm not the smartest person in the room, but I'm certainly among the most resouceful. My dead dad had a saying that "you must constantly scan your environment for available tools and weapons". For me, that's being aware of what you DON'T KNOW and recruiting people with the knowlege and expertise you lack. You don't have to know it all, you just have to know where to find it!
One of the reasons so many of us worked so hard to suck George back in is a personal motto of mine I've used repeatedly on Guldi during his "off-years": IF ONE HAS THE ABILITY AND OPPORTUNITY TO EFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE, ONE HAS THE INESCAPABLE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO SO. You don't get to choose; if you're aware and awake enough to see the problems, you MUST craft what solutions you can.
Let me leave you with a paraphrased quote from Edward Allen that runs a close second: A TRUE PATRIOT MUST ALWAYS BE READY TO DEFEND HER COUNTRY FROM HER GOVERNMENT. 'Nuff said?

Oh, boy, I'm wrong again!!!
Just got word that Schaffer intends to give a Wilson-Baccula to Schneiderman, so looks like we have a primary after all!
Hehe, the fun just never stops!!!