Who is Carl Paladino?
Update September 15: Paladino has won the Republican nomination for governor.
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From April 12: Carl Paladino is one of those people who won't stop forwarding crap
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Carl Paladino is expected to toss his hat in the ring for governor of New York today.
When talking about Paladino, though, "toss" is probably not the right word -- "jam" or "shove" might be more fitting.
Background
Carl Paladino is a Buffalo-area real estate developer and attorney. He's CEO of of the Ellicott Development Company, which describes itself as the largest private landlord in downtown Buffalo. Paladino went to undergrad at St. Bonaventure, law school at Syracuse, and served in the Army reserves.
He has a personal fortune of $150 million, according to his campaign web site. He says he's willing to spend $10 million of his own money on the campaign. He says he wants "to do this as a public service." [Buffalo News]
The pitch
Paladino says he's "mad as hell" and New York State has "allowed the unchecked growth of a parasitical ruling class" and we have a "self-serving, despicable government."
He told a Tea Party gathering that the "liberal elites" won't be able to stop him, "Not if you're mad enough." [Buffalo News]
His pitch to conservatives:
He says "liberal tax, spend and borrowing policies are destroying New York State" and "liberal social policies further undermine our communities." He says he's "pro-life, pro gun rights and I oppose gay marriage."
Paladino is a registered Republican, but he was a registered Democrat until 2005. In the past, he's given money to Chuck Schumer, Al Gore and Hillary Clinton. He says he's been "consistently, consistently, consistently disappointed" by the candidates he's supported. [WNY Media] [LittleSis] [Buffalo News]
Paladino's campaign released a photoshopped Titantic post mocking Ed Cox, the head of the state Republican committee, for his support of Steve Levy, the Democrat who became a Republican to run for governor. [NY Post]
The style
Buffalo News metro columnist Donn Esmonde describes Paladino as a "wild-man developer" and an "unleashed pit bull." Writes Esmonde:
Albany deserves the abuse Paladino is notorious for dishing out. And the rest of us could use the entertainment.
A story today in the Buffalo News described Paladino as "a man of contradictions."
On health care
Last month on radio show Paladino said of the health care reforms passed by Congress:
"I fear the results of Obamacare will be so horrific that it will kill more Americans through deteriorating health care than were lost on 9-11. Nothing can lessen the terrible events of that day, but in terms of raw numbers more will suffer and die through Obamacare."
When NY Congressman Jerrold Nadler said "every decent person should be disgusted" by Paladino's healthcare-9/11 remark, Paladino responded:
"Your statement drips with the pomposity and arrogance we have come to expect from our rotten ruling class, so busy clawing for campaign contributions they can't find the time to understand the bill." [Daily Politics]
After the exchange, Paladino's campaign manager said: "Carl meant what he said; he didn't slip." [Buffalo News]
Paladino also has written that the legislation is unconstitutional.
On Sheldon Silver
Paladino told a Rotary Club last month:
"I'm gonna try like hell to send Sheldon Silver to Attica and on the way, we're gonna have him stop in all those little communities on the thruway and let those people beat him up." [WGRZ]
On Buffalo's schools superintendent
In 2008 Paladino said Buffalo's schools superintendent had been hired because he's African-American. After controversy erupted over the remark, Paladino responded: "I go after all of them. I don't care if they're a Dago or a Polack." [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics]
On government subsidies
Paladino in response to a comment by Silver that the developer has taken government subsidies: "I never received subsidies. Everybody that knows me understands that. I'm not a subsidy developer." [Buffalo News]
Last year Paladino spoke out against changes being made to the Empire Zone program, which gives tax breaks to developers and employers. And condos his company has sold have benefited from tax breaks. [Buffalo News]
[Buffalo News]
The tabloid stuff
Paladino, who's been married for almost 40 years, has a 10-year-old "love child" who will be appearing with him on the campaign trail. [NYDN]
photo: Paladino for the People
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Comments
Paladino: "I fear the results of Obamacare will be so horrific that it will kill more Americans through deteriorating health care than were lost on 9-11. Nothing can lessen the terrible events of that day, but in terms of raw numbers more will suffer and die through Obamacare."
Invoking the loss of life on 9/11 to gain political points, then using blustery ad-hominem language when he's called out on it.
I don't say this often, but what a total f****** scumbag.
... said Kevin Marshall on Apr 5, 2010 at 3:04 PM | link
I don't want him to win--at ALL--but I would like to see him in steel cage matches with virtually every member of the NYS Assembly. Frankly, I think most of them deserve to be subjected to his special brand of asshattery as punishment.
... said Siobhan on Apr 5, 2010 at 3:36 PM | link
Sorry, but both parties are broken in this state and we're all f**ed because of it
a crank who hates everyone is just what we need in the race
... said Ike on Apr 5, 2010 at 9:45 PM | link
Love when multi-millionaires demagogue on "elites" and the "ruling class."
... said Julia Thorne on Apr 6, 2010 at 9:15 AM | link
I understand the state is a mess and people think they need some sort of bulldog to come and fix it, but this man seems like nothing more than a bigoted bully to me.
... said Summer on Apr 6, 2010 at 1:01 PM | link
Guy sounds like a peach to work with. Wouldn't last twenty minutes as a public servant. Can't imagine the furor that would erupt when he realizes he has to work for everyone else, instead of the other way around.
... said B on Apr 6, 2010 at 2:12 PM | link
Paladino is obviously a liar! Anyone who is a millionaire is part of the ruling elite!
... said Dave on Sep 15, 2010 at 11:17 AM | link