ALBANY, NY (04/25/2008; 1204)(readMedia)-- Recent developments at both the state and national level have led to an increasingly positive forecast for Republicans in New York State.

A recent Siena poll of the Presidential race in New York, which can be found at www.siena.edu/sri/, shows strong support for Republican John McCain and his positive vision for America. Senator McCain is in a statistical dead heat with both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama. In critical regions of the state that have many downticket Republicans, Senator McCain has strong and growing leads over both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama of between five and eleven points.

Meanwhile, Senator Clinton and Senator Obama continue to drag their race deeper into the mud with personal attacks, disappointing revelations and fabricated stories, eroding Democrat support and enthusiasm.

At the state level, Republicans fought to ensure a timely budget in the wake of Eliot Spitzer's resignation. Their efforts led to a budget that spent less than the proposed budget and fought off burdensome tax increases, while making wise investments in the priorities that are critical to New York’s families and businesses. This hard work and leadership has led to an increase of support for Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, Assembly Republican Leader Jim Tedisco and their Republican conferences.

By continuing to work hard and present a better vision for the future, Republicans will help New York and America face its many challenges and move forward together.

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ALBANY, NY (04/24/2008; 1705)(readMedia)-- With the average price of gas in New York State approaching four dollars per gallon heading into the busy summer driving season, families and businesses in New York and across America need relief right now.

Senator John McCain’s gas tax relief plan, coupled with a similar proposal at the state level from Senator Andrew Lanza, would let the average New Yorker keep an extra five dollars every time they fill up at the gas station. Businesses that use larger shipping vehicles to move their goods would save even more instead of being forced to pass along the added cost to consumers-- costs which have been contributing to the inflated costs of food and other necessities.

These sensible Republican plans will provide immediate relief for the problems people are facing every day, while longer-term solutions are proposed, researched and enacted.

Unfortunately, Senator Obama has flatly opposed the plan as a bad idea, even though he supported suspending a gas tax as a State Senator in Illinois. Senator Clinton, knowing the pain New Yorkers are feeling, has still refused to support it.

This issue once again underscores that the Democrats are out of touch with the everyday problems that New Yorkers and Americans face. The problem is painfully clear; it’s time for action.

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ALBANY, NY (04/14/2008; 1700)(readMedia)-- Each passing day of the Democratic presidential campaign brings new evidence that Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton are out of step with mainstream Americans.

Whether it is elitist comments from Senator Obama belittling middle class Americans who find comfort in religious belief or tall tales spun by Senator Clinton to burnish her paper-thin foreign policy credentials, the seemingly never-ending contest for the Democratic nomination continues to weary the electorate and underscores the fact that only Senator John McCain has the experience, credentials and character necessary to lead our great nation during the troubled times in which we live.

Senator McCain is an American hero. He has fought for America’s ideals and principles and made unspeakable sacrifices in the cause of liberty and freedom. Rather than look down on his fellow Americans, Senator McCain has devoted his life to serving them.

Senator McCain is uniquely prepared for our nation’s highest office. In time of crisis, there’s no one better qualified or prepared to make the tough decisions that only a President can make.

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Mondello Statement

It is with great pride that we welcome Senator McCain to New York, and in particular my hometown of Brooklyn, to unveil his new economic initiatives.

For centuries, New York has been a beacon of hope for people looking for a better life, so it is the ideal location for Senator John McCain to expand on his vision of how to make the American Dream of homeownership, a good career and financial security a reality for more families. (more…)

ALBANY, NY (04/10/2008; 1448)(readMedia)-- It is with great pride that we welcome Senator McCain to New York, and in particular my hometown of Brooklyn, as he unveils his new economic initiatives.

For centuries, New York has been a beacon of hope for people looking for a better life, so it is the ideal location for Senator John McCain to expand on his vision of how to make the American Dream of homeownership, a good career and financial security a reality for more families.

Senator McCain’s detailed policy changes would make a concrete difference in helping Americans afford today’s spiraling cost of living, especially his proposals to control the cost of basic necessities like gasoline, energy costs and food.

He appropriately addresses the housing crisis in a fair and equitable manner that keeps homeownership within reach while respecting both well-meaning homeowners and taxpayers.

And, his training and support programs for people who are between jobs will ensure that hard working Americans have the resources they need to remain active and engaged in the economy.

During these uncertain financial times, it is comforting to know that a man with John McCain’s experience, vision and steady hand is here to lead us.

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ALBANY, NY (04/09/2008; 1641)(readMedia)-- Given the tremendous strain placed on the budget process with a significant deficit and the resignation of Eliot Spitzer a few short weeks ago, the statesmanlike leadership of Senator Bruno, Assemblyman Tedisco and their Republican conferences deserves praise.

Thanks to their dedication, focus and commitment, a sound, complete budget will be in place in a timely fashion.

Their efforts ensured that this budget delivers real results for New York’s families and businesses by insisting on tax relief, support for business growth and job creation, spending restraint, and a fair distribution of health care and education aid.

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ALBANY, NY (04/08/2008; 1604)(readMedia)-- As General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker update Congress on the War in Iraq, it is important to remember that Presidential candidates and military experts alike have agreed that the best way to successfully end the Iraq war as quickly as possible is to trust and support the decisions of the commanders in the field.

Last fall, General Petraeus’ report on the success of the surge to Congress validated why this was the right approach.

Since the surge began, violence has continued to fall, terrorist groups have been neutralized and Iraqis have stepped up to provide a greater share of the cost and manpower required to bring even greater stability. This increasing sense of security has enabled the Iraqi government to develop and provide the basic services and sense of normalcy that the Iraqi people desperately need.

In contrast to Senators Clinton and Obama’s attempts to manipulate the war to advance their own political fortunes, John McCain’s steadfast courage, experienced leadership and clear vision provide great comfort to Americans during these dangerous and uncertain times.

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ALBANY, NY (03/27/2008; 1216)(readMedia)-- It is a sad irony that Senator Obama would come to New York to talk about his economic plan, because New Yorkers have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of the kind of runaway spending and endless tax increases that Senator Obama has supported throughout his career.

New Yorkers have seen jobs, families and opportunity pack up and leave New York for more hospitable areas when Democrats have implemented the kind of big government policies that are the very core of Senator Obama’s campaign rhetoric.

American families and businesses do not need more spending and obtrusive government; we need more opportunity and hope for a better future.

Senator John McCain’s approach of limiting government interference, containing government spending and allowing hard working families and businesses to keep more of their own money is the right way to ensure a vibrant, hopeful economy and opportunity for New Yorkers and all Americans.

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ALBANY, NY (03/26/2008; 1432)(readMedia)-- Hillary Clinton’s frequent exaggeration of her foreign policy experience is tremendously concerning. Her most recent claims that she landed amid sniper fire in Bosnia when she, her daughter and comedian Sinbad were actually greeted by a young girl with flowers, undermines her credibility and raises questions about her foreign affairs experience.

Senator Clinton’s repeated misrepresentations of her experience are an insult to the brave men and women serving to protect our nation in the face of real gunfire.

The lack of international and foreign policy experience of Senator Clinton, and Senator Obama, stands in stark contrast to the lifetime of public service and integrity that has been demonstrated by Senator John McCain.

Senator McCain’s courageous service to his country in the line of fire, his years of commitment to the needs of the public as a Senator and his deep, personal integrity make him the only person to be President during these troubled times.

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ALBANY, NY (03/18/2008; 1417)(readMedia)-- Former Governor Eliot Spitzer’s speedy resignation and quick departure from Albany has shaken people’s faith in their government and left many questions unanswered.

While New Yorkers await the outcome of the criminal inquiries into the personal behavior that led to his resignation, the former Governor owes it to the citizens whose trust he betrayed to take a step that is critical to restoring their faith in our state’s political process.

Citizen Eliot Spitzer – who in his resignation speech declared that he would never again be a candidate for public office – should immediately liquidate all campaign funds under his control and donate the proceeds to charity, preferably a charity that is committed to helping young women avoid self-destructive lifestyles.

With an excess of $3 million in his 2010 re-election fund, Mr. Spitzer can, at least partially, atone to his fellow New Yorkers by putting this money to some positive purpose.

Citizen Spitzer, whose personal fortune laid the groundwork for his meteoric political rise, should clearly understand that the people of New York will be watching closely to see how these funds are disbursed.

New Yorkers will not tolerate their use for his personal legal defense, nor will they tolerate this money being doled out as campaign contributions, either to individual elected officials or to state Democratic Party campaign accounts in an effort by the former Governor to maintain his political influence.

While former Governor Spitzer still owes his family and the people of New York the answer to many questions, I call on him to immediately answer this question about the future of his campaign fund.

The people of New York deserve no less than an immediate answer to this critical $3 million question.

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