Staten Island DA Dan Donovan says he just wants to be NYS Attorney General and not a Governor in waiting. The state's last two AG's have sought the executive job.
Top law enforcement jobs are often used as an avenue towards higher office because a DA or an AG gets a lot of headlines and has the upper hand in using the misfortune of others to advance their own careers.
Hard charging AGs often spend a lot of time with press releases as they can use the power of their office to hammer someone who may or may not be in need of the treatment. AG's and DA's are used to getting their way. Most people who are arrested are guilty of something so conviction rates in the 90s are routine. Its a lot more difficult to be a steamroller when dealing with lawmakers who are not as impressed with your bravado.
The trendy topic these days is public corruption and Mr. Donovan says he wants to initiate probes of local officials even without a request from a local DA. He also wants everybody to release sources of outside income. Everybody wants purity of thought and deed, but politics and public office should not be placed under fire to the point where nobody wants to run.
I don't know the AG candidates. Three are five Democrats seeking that party's nomination. So far what I have read and heard of Mr. Donovan has been that he is a reasonable individual who has a grasp of the office.
One Democrat I have been watching is Richard Brodsky who has been leading the scrutiny not of the politicians...but of the unelected public authorities that are systematically taking the place of elected officials.
As for the AG candidates who have admitted to cocaine use, they should be thankful they never got caught and not be seeking the job as head of that state's legal activities.
Watertown Daily Times Donovan: I have no gubernatorial interests
1 comment:
Please correct your typo's. I have enough trouble reading as it is.
I respect your opinion on the cocaine use but I am not so quick to rule someone out.
One thing I think should be considered is the age when the indiscretion took place.
Since we set age litmus tests to hold certain offices, we are essentially acknowledging that the judgment and wisdom of the young is not yet adequately developed.
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