Republicans rallied behind Rick Lazio as their next-best hope for beating Hillary Clinton, and the Long Island congressman said yesterday he’s going to fight with “enthusiasm.”
Even before Mayor Giuliani’s announcement to bow out of the Senate race, state GOP leaders were working behind the scenes to pave a smooth path for Lazio.
“Fortunately we have a great bench in New York … Rick Lazio is a top-notch campaigner and fund-raiser,” said Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
McConnell vowed to fund Lazio’s race to the max. That’s $1.9 million in direct funds, and extra cash to build up the party – and Lazio’s name recognition – in New York.
“This will be a fully funded race,” he said.
Lazio, who has $3.5 million in his war chest compared to Clinton’s $6.6 million, left no doubt he’s running.
“I will be a candidate for the United States Senate,” he said.
Last night at a cancer forum on Long Island, he said, “I’m looking forward to this. This has been my lifelong home. It’s been a state I’ve represented in the U.S. House of Representatives for eight years. I’m looking forward to this race with enthusiasm.”
In the audience was a supporter wearing a shirt that bore the words “Lazio for Senate” on the front and “Made in New York” on the back. The man asked Lazio if he liked the shirt and Lazio gave a thumbs-up.
Rep. Pete King (R-L.I.), who’s also vying for the Senate nomination, conceded the powers are behind Lazio, who has forged an insider-legislator reputation compared to King’s maverick, bomb-throwing style.
“The reality is the [upcoming GOP state] convention is going to be controlled by the governor. The governor will decide who the next nominee will be, and right now it looks as if he’s going to support Rick Lazio,” King told The Post.
Republicans said Lazio’s race against Hillary would be grueling at first, because he’s behind in fund-raising and popularity. A Quinnipiac College poll last week had Clinton ahead of him, 50 percent to 31 percent.
“The stark reality is it’s official – Rudy Giuliani is not a candidate,” said Rep. Tom Reynolds, an upstate Republican whose congressional district stretches from Rochester to Buffalo.
But Reynolds predicted Lazio’s popularity would rise once the media focuses on him, for one big reason – he’s not Hillary.
“He knows New York. He’s one of us,” Reynolds said.
Republicans say Lazio must quickly put together a top-notch campaign team, raise money and travel the state, sending a message that he’s socially moderate and fiscally conservative – or the Clinton campaign will paint him as a right-wing extremist.
“This is the first time most people are going to see him. It’s important he project himself in a positive way. But he has to show he can take a punch. If he gets hit, he has to hit back real hard,” King said.
Lazio has brought aboard big-league campaign man Mike Murphy and spokesman Dan McGlaghan, both refugees from the John McCain presidential campaign.
GOPers expect Lazio will also raid talent from the Giuliani campaign and national Republicans.