It doesn’t seem like central New York Republicans have settled in on any of the candidates looking for the GOP presidential nomination, at least so far. And last week’s Republican debate may have winnowed the field for some local political junkies, but only by a bit.
Randy Potter of Syracuse is well known in local Republican circles, helping with various campaigns and speaking out on conservative issues. And when he talks to other central New York Republicans, he finds supporting shifting daily for the candidates in the crowded field. He says last week on one day, Donald Trump was firing people up, and the next day it was Sen. Ted Cruz. For Potter, it was Sen. Marco Rubio who grabbed his attention after the debate.
“It was a message of unity and trying to make the 21st century a new American century. I think we need to be brought together, we need hope. There’s so much negativity out there, that we need an inspirational leader, perhaps like John Kennedy was in 1960,” said Potter.
Another GOP political activist, Tom Longley of Auburn, thinks he can get behind the likes of Rubio, Cruz and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. But during the debate it was former Hewlett Packard CEO Carly Fiorina who jumped out at him.
"She could say in one minute what other people would say five minutes to say and do it with emphasis,” said Longley.
As for Donald Trump?
“I think it could be the beginning of the end. He may have peaked at this point,” said Potter.
Right now, no one is making any predictions as far as central New York support for any of the candidates. But having so many to choose from is a political junkies dream.
"Some are better than others, and I’d rather have too many than too little. We have choice, and that’s great,” said Longley.
And, as Potter says, there’s still plenty of time to make up one’s mind.
“For us political junkies, this is a fascinating period, probably one of the most interesting elections ever, so I wouldn’t go out on a limb and predict anything at this point. There are so many twists and turns along the way.”
