Republican National Convention: Rep. Fossella Discusses Role of New York Republicans
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: New York has a Republican governor, and New York City has a Republican mayor, come November, New York Republicans hope to replace the retiring Democratic senator, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, with one of their own. Rick Lazio running against Hillary Clinton. A look now at the role of New York's Republicans, both in this convention and the campaign to come. Joining us, one of New York's congressman, Vito Fossella, from Staten Island, not Long Island. Nice to see.</s>REP. VITO FOSSELLA (R), NEW YORK: Good to see you, Bill. I am doing great.</s>HEMMER: Let's first shift our focus on this convention, where are all the House leaders at this? where is Dick Armey? where is Tom DeLay? how come they are not on stage?</s>FOSSELLA: Well, they are working hard to maintain the Republican control of Congress, and to get George Bush and Dick Cheney elected president. I don't believe that it's necessary to be front and center all the time. I know they've been working hard all year, and it is not so much the convention that's going to make the difference, I think it's the -- where these leaders stand on issues, whether it is tax cuts, or improving education, strengthening our national defense, and protecting and strengthening Social Security. I think that's the message that the American potential want to hear, not who is going to be speaking at a convention.</s>HEMMER: But you well know, for the past six months, the minority leader, Dick Gephardt, the Democrat, has been saying he wants to take back the House, the margin is slim right now between Republicans and Democrats. Is it a flawed strategy not to highlight the House members here?</s>FOSSELLA: No, I don't think so. I think that American people, in my opinion, really concern themselves with, and should, is how governing policies affect their every day lives. I think the Republican Congress has cut taxes, to the benefit of the American people; has reformed welfare, it has been good for the American people; have rebuild the military, that is good for the American people; and now we are committed to protecting and strengthening Social Security, improving education, and really I think resurrecting the notion that the government works for the people, and not the other way around. So regardless of what the others say, that's the message we are trying to convey.</s>HEMMER: Let's talk specifically now about your home state, the Empire State of New York. Susan Molinari, former congresswoman, was on our show yesterday. I asked her whether or not the strategy right now is conceding the state of New York to the Democrats, and she said I hope that is not the case. Can you say if it is or not?</s>FOSSELLA: I agree with Susan. I think what we are going to do, come November, is elect a new Republican into the United States Senate, his name is Rick Lazio, and he will serve the state well. And I think, while you can never give anything for grant -- take anything for granted, we are going to be working hard I know in Staten Island and Brooklyn to get George Bush elected president.</s>HEMMER: Can he win your state?</s>FOSSELLA: He can. If the people of New York hear his message, one of a positive outlook for America, one where tax cuts are good for the American people, where we can all work together, Democrats and Republicans, to improve education for our kids, to ensure that seniors get their Social Security benefits, but to try to make it stronger for the next generation. If people hear that message, he should win.</s>HEMMER: All right, we'll find out first Tuesday of November, Vito Fossella, Republican from New York, thanks for your time.</s>FOSSELLA: Thank you very much.