The Catsimatidis Agenda
But there's still something refreshing about a person so willing to talk about every aspect of his theoretical campaign before so much as hiring a press secretary.
Yesterday, we chatted about some of the specifics of the Catsimatidis '09 agenda.
The price for the campaign? $30 million. "If it's going well and I want to spend 40, I'll spend 40. It doesn't matter."
In which party? "Most likely the Republican Party. I mean, I'm not a left-wing Democrat. I'm a Rockefeller Republican, the way Bloomberg Republican."
What makes you a Rockefeller Republican?
"I'm pro-people and pro-business."
And your vision for the future of New York?
"My number one concern is not chase the middle class out of New York. Do you want to turn New York into a downtown Detroit or downtown Cleveland? I love New York. I don't want to do that."
And what's that like?
"Downtown Cleveland? There's nobody down town except the people on welfare," Catsimatidis said. "You know, you need a mixed society, you need a little bit of everybody.
Everybody?
"When you talk about illegal aliens, they have a purpose too. I want illegal aliens, and I'll support them if they're paying their taxes, hard working families. But if they're here to live off the rest of us, then I'm not going to support them. If they're here to commit felonies and murders, I'll have them on the first boat out. You know, if it's within my power."
More Catsimatidis after the jump.
JC: I'm willing to spend $30 million," he said. "That was a statement I was giving to people.
Azi: That sounds like a confirmation. Are you going to run?
JC: Most likely.
Azi: In which party?
JC: Most likely the Republican Party. I mean, I'm not a left-wing Democrat. I'm a Rockefeller Republican, the way Bloomberg Republican.
Azi: In what policy matters are you a Rockefeller Republican instead of a left-wing Democrat?
JC: I'm pro-people and pro-business.
Azi: Bloomberg raised property taxes ---
JC: We had a little bit of a loss with 9/11. He did what he had to do because of the problems the city was in. I don't want to raise taxes. My number one concern is not chase the middle class out of New York. Do you want to turn New York into a downtown Detroit or downtown Cleveland? I love New York. I don't want to do that.
Azi: I've never seen those two areas, what are they like?
JC: Downtown Cleveland? There's nobody down town except the people on welfare. You know, you need a mixed society, you need a little bit of everybody. I'm not looking to chase the poor out. I'm not looking to chase the middle income out. I'm not looking to chase the rich out. I want everyone.
[skip]
New York is a great melting pot.
When you talk about illegal aliens, they have a purpose too. I want illegal aliens, and I'll support them if they're paying their taxes, hard working families. But if they're here to live off the rest of us, then I'm not going to support them. If they're here to commit felonies and murders, I'll have them on the first boat out. You know, if it's within my power.
Am I saying anything illogical?
Azi: It sounds pretty unambiguous. Have you spoken with Bloomberg about what it's like to run and govern?
JC: No. I think he's aware I'm thinking about it.
Azi: When you get into the specifics about how much you'll spend ---
JC: I threw out the number of $30 million. If it's going well and I want to spend 40, I'll spend 40. It doesn't matter. I think Bloomberg could have won with half the amount he spent.
Azi: Then why did he spend so much?
JC: He's a lot richer than I am. I'm not poor but I'm not that wealthy.
Azi: Dick Parsons is reportedly thinking of running.
JC: He's a very fine person -- but I'm not sure he's going to run. That's my opinion.
Azi: I called over to the Board of Elections and they said you're still registered as a Democrat. Do you know when you might change that?
JC : When we hire an election lawyer in the next couple of months, we'll talk to him about it. I was a registered Republican in the 1980s, pre-Bill Clinton.
Azi: Why would you run for mayor as a Republican?
JC: Because I'm a moderate business man. I don't' think a moderate businessman has a chance in hell winning the Democratic primary.
-- Azi Paybarah
If he runs the city like he runs Gristedes - lousy merchandise, high prices, surly workers - we're in for it.
AHHH! but new yorkers love the outsider who can run against the city's democratic machine...until the democrats stop caving to the unions and other small but influential voting blocs who overly weight in the primaries but can't win in the general, the party won't be able to do anything more than run the minimally effectual and childish city council.
Didn't Catsimatidis support Ferrer over Mike?
he also supported and gave money to ultra-conservative Rick Santorum. yuck!
John is a fine man and knows all there is to know about NYC business and real-estate. I think he'd make a fantastic candidate.
Those comments about downtown Cleveland and Detroit destroyed any chance he might have ever had to be elected in New York.
I don't think many New Yorkers who are forced, due to lack of close by alternatives, to shop in his dirty overpriced Gristedes stores are going to flock to his banner. In addition, considering that Bloomberg spent about double what this guy intends to spend and barely won the first time one can fairly say that a Democrat -- even with public financing -- will be a heavy favorite. If Parsons runs all bets are off.
I stand corrected. SAccoring to Campaign Finance Board, Ferrer is only Democrat running against Bloomberg in 2001 who Catsimatidis did not support. He gave $1,500 to Hevesi & $1,000 each to Green & Vallone.
Must be a slow news day. This guy is the epitome of a pretender and dilettante. He's got no shot.
BTW, I know Mr. Catsimatidis has many skeletons in his closets, including bankruptcies and FTC investigations into his business. Good luck getting elected after your opponents dig up all the dirt.
GREAT NEWS,MR CATSIMATIES SKELETIONS ARE GREAT FAMILY MAN VERY CHARITABLE,GREAT BUSINESSMAN,SMART,A FRIEND TO THE BLACKS,JEWS,SPANISH,GREEKS,WILL MAKE A GREAT MAYOR.JUST LIKE BLOOMBERG
He can hire Miranda, Axlerod (who might be a little busy), Lenny Joseph (now the democratic king of Florida... oh my), the powerful and skillful Jen Bluestein and Roberto (he won't need a fundraising staff) all of whom would be more than happy to help separate him from 20 of the 30-40 million dollars he speaks of "investing" in the campaign. If it's pubilicity he wants, then let him put phanton "Wanted" flyers of himself in all of his grocery stores. My call: at the end of the day, he will load up on Billy Thompson because he thinks he can win. VOTE FOR JOHN CATSIMATIDIS!!!
He opposes the expansion of the nickle deposit "Snapple" and bottled water bill as well as the original 1982 bill. The dude just thinks you can toss everything in the recycling bin which adds to the city's waste transfer costs. Just look at the city since '82 you see far fewer beer and soda bottles and cans littering the streets. Fewer flat tires and a few bucks for the homeless. Yet the Snapple, juice and water bottles make their way into the city's drainage system thus costing DEP and DOT the removal costs.
Fortunatly Spitzer added the expanded bill to his first budget. Hopefully the legislature will go along.
Mr. Catsimatidis is a hard working action-oriented business man. He's given work to all minorities. He is undoubtedly pro-diversity. He personifies the American-dream. That's what NY needs. For all those who criticize Mr. Catsimatidis I have two words for them: "Sour Grapes"
Mr. Catsimatidis is a hard working action-oriented business man. He's given work to all minorities. He is undoubtedly pro-diversity. He personifies the American-dream. That's what NY needs. For all those who criticize Mr. Catsimatidis I have two words for them: "Sour Grapes"
Mr. Catsimatidis is a Great Individual. He is exactly what New York needs.
first impression; i like this guy. my prayer; Lord keep the city from falling back into the dems political hack morass.
I know him personally, he is an extremely good individual, 29 years ago he helped me when no one else would. He would make a Great Mayor if he runs. He got my Vote, for sure.
I also personally know him.
He is SUCH and AMAZING person! His family, and kids are also remarkable peoople. He is very sincere and caring and goal oriented and I know he has my full support when he runs in '09.
GO JOHN!!!
I also personally know him.
He is SUCH and AMAZING person! His family, and kids are also remarkable peoople. He is very sincere and caring and goal oriented and I know he has my full support when he runs in '09.
GO JOHN!!!