Levy to woo Conservatives, but endorsement not likely

COLONIE, N.Y. -- Even with former Long Island Rep. Rick Lazio on track to lock up the Republican and Conservative nominations for governor, Democratic Suffolk Executive Steve Levy is expected to draw strong applause Monday at the minor party's conclave here - as Democratic Attorney General Andrew Cuomo did at last year's event.

Levy's hard fiscal line should resonate with Conservative Party activists. Despite what sources said was a cordial-enough meeting with party chairman Michael Long, though, a Levy endorsement for governor hasn't become a matter of serious discussion.

BASHING BLAKEMAN:

After hearing Bruce Blakeman give his pitch for U.S. Senate here, Conservative activist George Marlin of New Hyde Park tied the candidate to Nassau's failed fiscal policies while county legislative leader. Marlin said Blakeman is "no conservative. He is a lobbyist . . . Why should we believe he's going to bring fiscal sanity to Washington?" Blakeman was introduced by county chairman Roger Bogsted, who's drawn fire from within as tied to ousted Democratic executive Thomas Suozzi.

TOBACK COMEBACK?Democrat Jeffrey Toback, whose decade of incumbency in the Nassau legislature ended with his surprise defeat in November by Republican Howard J. Kopel, is running for the Assembly seat of 21-year incumbent Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach). "I'm not so much about flash and publicity," he said. "How I run for office will be how I serve when elected: listening, getting the job done and being responsive."

Toback says he believes Weisenberg will retire, that he's met with him and "I hope to earn his support and endorsement." Weisenberg said: "I've dedicated my life to an institution that helps people. We've had success in my job. It's all about the thank-yous we get. As long as I'm healthy and well, and my family is, I will certainly stay in the profession that I have chosen."

HEALTH INTRIGUE:Consider this, from The Associated Press after ScottBrown beat Margaret Coakley for Senate: "Nearly as shaken by the Massachusetts vote were health care provider groups that have supported the Democratic effort, such as drug makers, hospitals and doctors. While few were making public statements, industry groups that stood to gain millions of newly insured customers were worried that such potential gains were in jeopardy."