Lazio goes after Cuomo at Nassau fundraiser

Speaking as if he already had been tagged the Republican choice for governor, New York banker Rick Lazio lashed out at his expected Democratic opponent, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo last night.

"We're going to challenge the voters," he told an audience of about 2,000 people at a Nassau County Republican Party fundraiser at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, where supporters paid at least $175 per plate.

"If you like spending that's out of control, incompetence, failure, if you like failure . . . and embarrassment, then vote for Andrew Cuomo," he said.

Lazio, who announced his candidacy for governor in September, currently has the support of the state Conservative Party leaders and is the front-runner for the nomination from the Republican Party. Other Republican hopefuls are Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino and Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy.

Lazio, of Brightwaters, was introduced by County Republican Committee chairman Joseph Mondello as "our next governor" and extolled by former U.S. Sen. Al D'Amato as a needed leader. "With Lazio we can and will win," D'Amato said, referring to the upcoming governor's race.

The candidate promised that, as governor, "We are not going to borrow our way out of our problems and we will revisit pension reform," among other things. Lazio said he was proud to be back in Nassau County, praising the county Republican Party's organizing skills and ability to draw such a large fundraiser.

Among dignitaries at the event were Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Nassau Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa).