"Faso, Suozzi debated with serious points"

The August 30 editorial ("Gubernatorial trash needs to be taken out") attacking John Faso and Thomas Suozzi for their debate performances is somewhat off the mark. While both candidates attacked Spitzer, sometimes in a churlish manner, John Faso put forth serious ideas on economic development, tolls and taxation in addition to other plans. Anyone with a good knowledge of this state and wishes to see improvement knows that Faso's ideas needed to be taken seriously. He has proven to be a very consistent legislator who possess integrity and good judgment. After all, he yielded to Herb London in 1994 for the GOP nomination for Comptroller despite many calls for him to remain in the race.

I cannot say much for Suozzi, who should have been more clear in his ideas on how to improve New York. His ideas were counterbalanced with the attacks, squandering a good opportunity to finish stronger on September 12.

But the real issue concerns Elliot Spitzer. The Spectrum editorial board did not come into this debate with an open mind, far too predisposed to favor Elliot Spitzer. This is a mistake. Spitzer is, if anything, an arrogant, unscrupulous megalomaniac who has maliciously attacked eminent businessmen like Hank Greenberg and submitted an endless torrent of frivolous lawsuits to various courts with little success. Clearly, Spitzer uses the powers of his office for personal ambition.

He is another Albany insider. How else can one explain the level of support he is receiving from lobbyists, incumbent politicians, public-employee unions and other nefarious interests that have brought this state to ruin? Does anyone see any opposition aside from the Conservative and Republican Parties to Spitzer? Any candidate who is endorsed by Alfonse D'Amato is certainly not a true reformer. Indeed, to believe that on "day one, everything changes" is a dangerous delusion. In all of his speeches and debates that he does participate in, Mr. Spitzer offers no ideas or programs. Appealing to platitudinous generalities, Mr. Spitzer is offering nothing to the voters besides the same old claptrap.

I fear for my state when Elliot Spitzer can poll more than 30 points ahead of gentlemen with distinguished records and far more integrity.