Weekly Wrapup

We end the week on a sad note. John Marchi, who was the Conservative Party's mayoral candidate in 1969, passed away last week, at the age of 87. He will be remembered as NYC's finest and most beloved Republican State Senator of our generation.

This web page from the Staten Island Advance includes pictures and video.
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/staten_island_remembers_state.html

Sen. Marchi earned admiration and respect from across the political spectrum. According to this Advance story, “The death of former State Sen. John Marchi of Staten Island at age 87 has brought tributes to him from a variety of prominent figures.”
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04/john_marchi_is_hailed_by_notab.html

The New York Daily News also has a good article, which notes: “Marchi, a World War II veteran first elected to the Senate in 1957, was one of the nation's longest-serving elected officials when he retired in 2006.”

http://tinyurl.com/de5jl3 (This links to a Daily News article with a very long URL.)

The leadership and character exemplified by Sen. Marchi are rare commodities these days.

Did we see it in the Obama Administration’s reckless Air Force One “photo op” that practically recreated 9/11 and literally terrified many New Yorkers?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04282009/news/regionalnews/air_heads_in_dc_terrorize_city_166544.htm

Did we see it in Vice-President Joe Biden’s fear-mongering in the swine flu panic – or in the Obama Administration’s Orwellian “what he meant to say” backtracking?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05012009/news/nationalnews/frightened_flu_fool_veep_urges_kin_to_av_167084.htm

Did we see it in the Democrats’ decision to use (make that abuse) “budget reconciliation” as a means of limiting debate and ramming through socialized health care?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124078888721857543.html

Will we see it when the Democrats and their media allies begin their push for President Obama’s first Supreme Court nominee?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,518561,00.html

Not at all. Principled leaders are few and far between here in New York or in Washington.

One that comes to mind: Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, who will head north to be our special guest speaker at the Conservative Party’s 47th Anniversary Dinner on May 28th in New York City.

Sen. DeMint is leading the conservative revolt against socialized health care, left-wing activist judges and out-of-control taxes and spending. He gives all of us hope.
http://demint.senate.gov/public/

Thanks, and have a great weekend.