Tuesday, February 14, 2006
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR SPEAKS AT ANNUAL EVENT FOR REPUBLICANS
By Christina Chamberlain
JOHNSTOWN - Secretary of State Randy Daniels encouraged local Republicans to remember the values of the party instilled by past leaders.
Daniels, a candidate for governor of New York, was the guest speaker of the Fulton County Republican Club's 46th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner.
"We have forgotten from what we came, and that is why we are lost today," Daniels said. "We've led the past 150 years."
The annual dinner took place at the Rainbow Restaurant in Johnstown Monday.
Master of ceremonies was Anne Jung, Fulton County Republican Committee chairwoman.
Daniels said Republicans are the party of ideas and traditional values.
"We should not apologize for what we believe," he said. "Don't let them rewrite our history."
Daniels grew up in Chicago with his nine siblings and worked as a CBS correspondent.
Former Presidents Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln are influences of Republican ideas Daniels follows.
Some things Daniels said the Republicans need make happen in New York state include a smaller and more efficient government, safer streets, high-quality affordable health insurance and a future free of fear.
Daniels is not a supporter of gay marriage, partial birth abortion or candidates who compromise on issues.
"I believe in equal opportunity for all New Yorkers, supporting the president and troops and defending the honor of America itself," Daniels said.
He said the state needs a more open form of government.
Daniels would bring a Reagan revolution to New York state, he said.
"You are going to get Ronald Reagan again, a 21st Century version of him and this time you are going to get it in living color," Daniels said.
He said Republicans need to work on fixing and pressuring the legislators in the capital.
"We need to fix Albany and we need to fix it fast," Daniels said.
He said New York state has a serious crisis of confidence and he doesn't believe the state government in Albany can handle it.
Daniels encouraged republicans to live within what they can afford.
"We are giving the bill to the next generation," he said. "We must live with what we can afford. Anything else hurts the next generation."
If elected governor, Daniels said he intends to reorganize the executive branch of government.
He also will work on education reform to bring the nation's education to the same level as other countries.
"It's not that our kids aren't smart, but they aren't getting what they need to compete in a global society," Daniels said.
In order to see a change in the education of New York's students, New Yorkers must "invest in the children and pay teachers a decent wage," he said.
Daniels is a supporter of merit pay for teachers and credited some of his best teachers for helping him get to where he is today.
"Reagan said education and freedom are the only things we have," he said.
The unbearably high Medicaid costs in New York state are not because of the poor and elderly, whom the program is designed for, but instead the middle class long-term care individuals, he said.
Daniels said individuals who can afford insurance through private providers must be responsible for getting coverage on their own.
If elected, he said he would push for the state to take over the costs of Medicaid from local counties.
"New Yorkers, we must believe in ourselves again," he said. "This is a time for choosing. Choose well and choose wisely. Our future is at stake."
Also in attendance at Monday's dinner and running for re-election were Fulton County District Attorney Louise K. Sira, Fulton County Judge Richard C. Giardino and state Sen. Hugh T. Farley R-Niskayuna.
Farley thanked the Republicans of Fulton County for their continual support over the past 30 years.
He ensured the Republicans the state government will work hard to complete an on-time budget.
Sira also thanked Fulton County's Republicans for their support and said she looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving the people of the county.
Giardino acknowledged the people of Fulton County for their support.
"If it weren't for the people, we wouldn't be here," he said.
Events like the Lincoln Day Dinner are important for all elected officials to attend, he said.
Giardino said the rule, which does not allow judges to attend the party dinner unless it is during an election year, should be eliminated.
"It's very important whether you are a judge or elected official to speak to the party participants that do the work," he said.
Jung said there was a lot of energy and enthusiasm from the Republicans attending Monday's dinner.
"This is the group that gets the work done," she said.
Daniels said events that gather Republicans together like the annual dinner energize him and make "it all worthwhile."
He is not a stranger to the area and has visited it in the past, he said.
He said it's important for Republicans to believe in the ability people have to change lives and recognize the people are the boss, not the government.
