First-Time Voters – Multiple-Party Illusion

I recall the first time that I saw a Clarkstown ballot. I did not know much about the candidates and so looked to see what the ballot would show. My first thought when I saw a candidate listed by multiple parties was that he or she had broad support. I was a bit puzzled by how a Democrat could gain support from the Conservative Party, but I guessed it had to do with the breadth of his or her appeal. Now I know – it is all an illusion.

Perhaps at one time the Conservative Party might have had a creed, but that is not where it is now. The head of the Conservative Party is Mr. Ed Lettre. Mr. Lettre is not only an employee of Clarkstown he is also a lead union representative. He has consistently supported Democrat Alex Gromack for Supervisor, even against Republican Ralph Sabatini in the last election cycle. Apparently his deviation from any value that could be considered “conservative” attracted attention this past year, but his clever scheduling of the party meeting around a Jewish holiday ensured that Jewish members who were prepared to vote against his leadership were conveniently not in the room. Mr. Lettre this year is also endorsing Democrat Stephanie Hausner for the Clarkstown Town Board. This is the same Ms. Hausner who reported excitedly about her trip as a Democrat to observe the inauguration of Barack Obama as president – clearly an event that will endear her to all Conservatives.

Then comes the Independence Party, where there is a quite a history of struggle for control, including false affidavits, conviction of a head of the Party, and jail time. At one time another head of the party enjoyed a lucrative job in Clarkstown’s Office of Town Attorney. It is not quite clear from whom this party is supposed to be independent since it never runs its own candidates. Its endorsements almost always go to incumbents and support the status quo rather than independence.

Finally comes the Working Families Party, which belies its origins in left-wing politics by endorsing a Republican candidate for the Clarkstown Town Board. Whatever its origins, this year witnessed a registered Republican encouraging people to register for the Working Families Party and then using the resulting votes over the votes of others registered in the party to ensure the Working Families ballot line for his patron Republican Wayne Ballard.

Fortunately Preserve Rockland is not a party and does not have the dubious history associated with the other ballot lines. There you have independent choices.

So I share with first-time voters what I now know. Endorsements of candidates by the Conservative, Independence, and Working Families Parties mean that the interests of the people controlling those parties are being met. It says nothing about the broad appeal of the candidate. Do not be fooled.