N.Y. Lieutenant Gov. Joins Democratic Party

GOP maverick jumps ship after governor dumped her from re-election ticket

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Sep. 30) -- Most prominent party switchers in recent years have been Democrats turning to the GOP, but today the Democrats were joined by disgruntled Republican Betsy McCaughey Ross, New York's lieutenant governor. She isn't exactly being welcomed with hats and noise-makers.

"You don't exactly see me jumping up and down," a high-ranking Democratic official told The Associated Press.

"Who needs her?" ventured another.

After rocketing to GOP stardom with a widely publicized 1993 critique of the Clinton Administration's national health-care strategy, published in the wonkish New Republic magazine, Ross was tapped to be New York Gov. George Pataki's running mate.

The independent-minded Ross butted heads with her boss, who dropped from his re-election ticket last April, telling reporters Ross wasn't a team player. New York Republicans have spent the last year skewering her for being unpredictable and headstrong, and they betrayed no sadness at her parting.

"She is well known to be a flaky and erratic personality," Republican state assembly man John Faso told the AP.

"I've told Democrats before and I'll tell them again; be careful what you wish for because sometimes you get it," Empire State GOP chairman William Powers told the AP.

After becoming a virtual outcast in the New York Republican Party, the new Democrat is rumored to be eyeing the congressional seat of Long Island Republican Rep. Michael Forbes. A longer shot would be challenging GOP Sen. Alfonse D'Amato or even Pataki, both up for re-election in 1998.

Some Democrats are saying Ross should lay low for awhile.

"I would hope she would spend some very serious period of time paying her dues in the Democratic Party, building some credibility among Democrats," N.Y. state party chairwoman Judith Hope told the AP.

One Republican consultant, Jay Severin, noted that Ross, married to millionaire Democratic businessman Wilbur Ross, has impressive resources to fall back on.

And Democratic consultant Hank Morris, an advisor to N.Y. Rep. Charles Schumer, said "she has the potential if she chooses wisely, meaning somewhere down the scale or some other time."

In Other News:

Tuesday Sept. 30, 1997

• Ickes To Testify Next Week
• Critics On The Right Snipe At Sen. Thompson
• Negotiators Agree To Allow Pay Increase For Congress
• N.Y. Lieutenant Gov. Joins Democratic Party
• Clinton Meets With Race Advisory Board
• Clinton Bids Goodbye To Retiring Military Chief
• Congress Extends Immigration Filing Deadline

E-mail From Washington:
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