3 more Dems want on attorney general ballot

By CARA MATTHEWS
ALBANY BUREAU
The Journal News

ALBANY — Three Democratic candidates for attorney general and their entourages flooded the state Board of Elections yesterday to file petitions that will force a September primary against frontrunner Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo, son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo and the former federal housing secretary, won the party's endorsement at its convention in May. None of his four challengers received a sufficient percentage of votes at the convention to get them on the ballot automatically. That forced them to collect 15,000 petition signatures statewide to stay in the race.

3 Dems file to enter attorney general race
BY JOHN RILEY
Newsday Staff Writer
Newsday
July 14, 2006

Three Democratic challengers filed petitions to run for state attorney general yesterday, virtually assuring a primary race for Andrew Cuomo, the former federal housing secretary who won the support of party regulars at the Democrats' convention last month.

Former New York City public advocate Mark Green, Rockland County housing advocate Charlie King, and former Clinton White House aide Sean Patrick Maloney all announced that they filed more than the 15,000 signatures required to get on the ballot with the state Board of Elections.

Gay 'marriage' may affect Hillary
By Amy Fagan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
July 11, 2006

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has faced clear pressure on the same-sex "marriage" issue from rivals on both the left and right since New York's highest court ruled last week that the state's marriage laws -- which do not recognize such unions -- are constitutional.
The battle over marriage rights for homosexuals emerged as a factor in the 2004 election, when ballot issues in Ohio and other key states helped motivate conservative voters. And the role of the issue in Mrs. Clinton's re-election campaign -- and her expected 2008 presidential bid -- could signal whether it will have a continuing impact in national politics.

John Nichols: Hillary Clinton sees Feingold's wisdom
By John Nichols, July 11, 2006
Capitol Times

U.S. Sen. Joe "I am a loyal Democrat" Lieberman's announcement that he will run for re-election as an "unaffiliated" independent if Connecticut Democratic primary voters reject him Aug. 8 has forced his fellow partisans in the Senate to decide whether they are more loyal to Lieberman or their party.

Initially, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the chairman of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., sent pro-Lieberman signals. Not only were the party leaders backing the senator in an Aug. 8 primary against attractive anti-war challenger Ned Lamont, but Schumer hinted he might back Lieberman as an independent if Lamont gained the Democratic nomination - as seems increasingly likely.

Clinton, Spitzer challengers facing petition deadline
By MARC HUMBERT
AP Political Writer
Newsday

July 8, 2006, 8:29 AM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The group of statewide candidates trying to force primary elections by way of the petition drive say the process is both an exhausting, expensive grind and an exhilarating, exciting way to get in touch with voters.

The deadline for potential Democratic primary opponents of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer _ anti-Iraq war activist Jonathan Tasini and Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, respectively _ is Thursday.