<!--Mark Scheer--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Mark Scheer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com">mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
For some reason, I remember the bus.
I didn’t recall the name of it until I did some research.
After finding an old story, it came back to me.
The bus was called the “Mainstream Express” and it brought Rick Lazio to Niagara Falls as part of his statewide campaign against Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton in the 2000 election for U.S. Senate.
Lazio’s bus pulled into Niagara Falls at a time when I had been on the job for about a year.
The visit stuck with me because, well, frankly, I never saw a guy running for office spread his message from a bus before.
As I recall, the “Mainstream Express” pulled in front of the Gazette offices to allow the then 42-year-old GOP candidate to be interviewed by members of the editorial staff.
Some may recall Lazio became the GOP nominee in the run against Clinton after former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani bowed out to due to prostate cancer. Lazio presented himself as an underdog in the race and worked hard to characterize Clinton as a carpet-bagger that catered to left-wing special interests and the Hollywood elite.
It was later reported Lazio gave the bus its nickname to reinforce his “mainstream” record in the U.S. House of Representatives where he served for four terms. At the time, he said the campaign shouldn’t be about “rope lines and checking credentials and scripted responses,” but rather accessibility and accountability with the public.
Lazio went on to lose to Clinton who is, of course, now the U.S. Secretary of State.
Today, Lazio finds himself back on the campaign trail in a different race, this time looking to become New York’s next governor.
He got an early show of support from members of the Niagara County Republican Party who offered Lazio — the only announced candidate in the race so far — their endorsement.
“The people of Niagara County and throughout this state are looking for someone who will deliver fundamental change to New York, and Rick Lazio is that person,” new Niagara County GOP chairman Mike Norris said. “The people of Western New York need someone who will fight to keep property taxes low and eliminate wasteful spending in Albany. Most importantly, we need someone who will create jobs in Western New York. I believe the person who can best do that as Gov. is Rick Lazio. I am proud say that I enthusiastically endorse his candidacy.”
In a press release from Lazio’s campaign, the candidate offered the following: “This race is about the direction of New York and the future we want to create for our children. It is critically important that Western New York achieves its full potential if we are to be the Empire State once again. I believe that Albany’s relationship with Western New York should be that of a partner, not a master. I understand that burdensome mandates are crushing small businesses and increasing property taxes. When I’m governor, we’ll put a stop to that. But if we’re going to change Albany, I’ll need the support and the mandate of the people of New York. With Niagara County on board, we’re making great strides toward victory in November.”
So, Lazio’s back on the campaign trail.
No word yet on his preferred mode of transportation this time around.
