BIG NEWS!

Today in Newsday there was news that could change the course of the race. Ed Mangano and several other Republican candidates, including Christian Browne, Joe Belesi and Howard Kopel, filed thousands of signatures to start a new party line -- the Tax Revolt Party.

First I'd like to explain why the campaigns did this and what hurdles they went through. Due to Suozzi's close association with Conservative Party Chairman Roger Bogsted, Ed and Chris Browne, both fiscal conservatives with a track record of endorsements, were denied. Instead the Conservatives endorsed Scannel, a left wing Democratic legislator who has been complicit in the record tax increases that are killing the county in the Browne race. In something that would be illegal in New York City, Bogsted rammed through an endorsement of a candidate who literally WORKS FOR Tom Suozzi in the CE race. He did this four years ago against Greg Peterson -- endorse someone other than the GOP candidate and drain votes from the Republicans.

But this time, that wouldn't work. A massive outpouring of grassroots support for Ed and Chris ensued. Conservatives and Republicans and Democrats outraged by this travesty of democracy came up with an idea -- a new party to support Ed and Chris.

Getting a line isn't easy. You have to get thousands of signatures and survive challenges. And your petition gatherers have to have not circulated any party petitions, or be a notary. That knocks out most of the people who typically circulate party petitions, since your average committeeman is a simple working person or small businessman who hasn't taken the notary test. You need to find hundreds of people who haven't signed a prior petition (again, knocking out most of the regulars and usual suspects) and convince them to sign something that they probably don't understand and have no idea what it's for.

In short, it's almost an impossible test. But the grassroots effort was there. People got out and banged on doors. People took up the mantle of Tax Revolt and begged and cajoled for signatures.

The response was, to say the least, overwhelming. A spontaneous outpouring of support for the Tax Revolt Party has led to thousands of middle class and working people signing the petitions. They've learned more about Ed and the Tax Revolt. They've investigated Suozzi and his bossist ways. Now the shoe that Suozzi used to sprint to office is on the other foot.

Suozzi is getting nervous. He's hiring consulting firms and throwing fits. He knows he's in the Red Zone. Now, it's beyond that. He's in serious danger of losing his election.

But to make that happen we need your help. Give the office a call at 605 0245 and ask how you can help Ed Mangano take back Nassau County.

He's really our last hope...