I'd love to see Jim Ostrowski step forward and try like he did in 1994. A stalwart of the movement and no stranger to politics, Jim could splatter a serious piece of humble pie into the faces of the nut job lackeys of the donkeys and elephants. His broad range of knowledge, professional capacity as a lawyer and tireless pursuit of all thing libertarian could ignite theupstate freedom movement. Who knows how many in the big apple itself ?
Unfortunately, I don't see Jim doing this. 
I spent a long drive with Jim last March down to Poughkeepsie (and back) and I think it's safe to say he won't try it again. Without getting too personal into his life or means, it's sufficient to say that his focus on family and profession at this point in his life is more important than a quixotic run at the head guy job in New York. I spoke with Jim this weekend and he's not interested in running for office.
However, I am urging Warren Redlich to pick up his shield, mount his high horse and charge those windmills. Warren has all the credentials and qualifications that I've listed previously and he also holds public office as a town board member in Guilderland, NY. He's run for Congress twice in a hopelessly Democratic district like Albany. He's helped me multiple times during my campaigns on a pro bono basis. He's smart, funny and media savvy. While Warren does have ties to the Republican party as such, he's by no means a favorite son. If anything he's a bit of a pariah. He likes and understands freedom too much.
Like me, his hesitation would emanate from devotion to family. But I think his wife might be okay with it, if he didn't have to traipse around for anything but key media spots. Warren could count me in as an immediate and constant participant in the chase. I've listened to Warren take on local liberal icons like Alan Chartock and refute him on Universal Health Care with simple quips like 'why not universal food'. He wouldn't hesitate, like Ron Paul, to decry the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan against his Democratic opponent in 2006 who voted for the occupations. Warren's Stop Wasting Money theme is something that could resonate with disgruntled Conservatives and liberty minded voters. If Warren were not to get the vaunted 50K needed for party status, it wouldn't be his fault. Instead one need only point to the constant reclamation process in play for the emotionally charged voters who cyclically show that a charismatic leader is all that is required to alleviate our woes.
Andrew Cuomo won't have as easy time of it convincing New York voters that a crusading Attorney General can simply crack the whip in Albany and make things happen. That model failed wonderfully with the fall of Spitzer. Odds are Republican wimps like Pataki and Giuliani will go after the low lying fruit that is Senator Gillibrand. Stuck with an uninspiring and unwinnable guy like Lazio, independent voters might be persuaded to step out of their historical shells and try something different. I started recruiting Warren last year for the AG nomination thinking he'd make an excellent contrast to Cuomo in that arena with a similar rationale to run. Given the fact that Cuomo's most likely to announce his purpose after the holidays, I'm urging Warren to consider it as the top tog on the ticket. Let him know you support him. He's all over the Internet, I guarantee you'll find him and he'll most likely respond personally.
This cycle is a wonderful opportunity for libertarian candidates to come forward and spread their wings this Spring. I urge all the lovers of Liberty to come out and try again. While I'll be on the sidelines watching, the headgear will be on, relaying plays and possibilities to the participants.
Draft Redlich for Governor !
Leave a comment