LI Politics From The Perspective Of An Unseasoned Voter

Online, November 2, 2010 (Newswire.com) - John Gomez may not be an established patron in politics, but even the most sheltered Suffolk County resident must at least know the name; just along the seven-mile trip from Commack Road to Route 110, drivers will encounter the Congressional candidate's glossy campaign poster 27 times.

Of course, taking the time to actually decipher its fine-printed message may result in a rear-end collision.

At an intimate meet and greet on a late September evening, Gomez arrives at the Cold Spring Harbor home dressed in what can only be described as Congressman casual. He sports a regal-looking navy-blue jacket accented with gold buttons that juxtaposes with relaxed khaki pants and black running shoes.

Even when dressed-down, his 6'3'' frame has a commanding, almost prominent presence. He blends into the crowd about as much as the young freelance journalist scrambling after him while scribbling down notes.

As the evening blends into night, a diverse group circles around the backyard patio in lawn chairs to create a bon-fire-like scene. Gomez sits between Tito Batista, owner of music publishing and production company, Black Rose Productions, and Paul Val, a music industry veteran who has produced political songs under Batista's label.

Gomez entertains the modest crowd with his tale of a young local talk show radio host who never planned to intervene in the affairs of his country.

"I saw the government little by little taking more and more control of our lives: wedging their way into our lives, dictating how we are going to take care of our health, whose going to run the banking industry," Gomez said. "That's why I jumped in."

The four core principles of his platform call for a reduction in spending, taxes, and government control, as well as the strengthening of national defense.

"I think the federal government's main most important obligation is to protect us from invasion or from attack," he said. "That's what the government is supposed to do. Other than that, leave us alone. And give some control back to the states."

Another issue he focuses on is repealing the major healthcare reform passed under the legislation of President Obama, which Gomez says is a system that "can't sustain itself" and will inevitably become a situation of "healthcare rationing."

He has been backed by big names like Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin, but the small-scale endorses have had their impact too.

Supporter, MJ Pulling-Fitzgerald, a politically involved district resident who works in behavioral health care, served as hostess of the grassroots gathering for Gomez.

"I believe in supporting people who support our people," said Pulling-Fitzgerald.
"John is a regular guy-he's a business person. I truly believe that he's going to protect our rights as individuals."

His contender in the campaign for Representative of New York's Second Congressional District is 10-year incumbent, Steve Israel. Israel has been backed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg as well as Newsday, which described him as "a strong legislator, a principled public servant and a tireless advocate for Long Island" in an Oct. 15 editorial.

In the same editorial, Newsday compared his opponent, describing Gomez's campaign as being "short on ideas and long on smears."

Throughout his incumbency as Congressman, Israel's votes have helped pass bills to prevent employers from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation as well as expand the definition of hate crimes and increase the enforcement of laws against them, according to the Project Vote Smart website, a database that contains the voting records of individuals who hold office.
Israel has also worked to suspend the pay for Members of Congress for two consecutive years; to pass an act allowing the federal government to help in preserving and restoring the Long Island sound; as well as writing and passing an amendment to the Small Business Lending Fund Act in order to give support to veteran-owner businesses, according to his campaign site.

Requests to speak with Israel or a representative from his campaign were declined.

Gomez boasts the fact that, unlike Israel, he is not a career politician, campaigning under the belief that this is not what voters want in a representative.

"In this climate, the people don't want a politician in office anymore," he said.

There may have been a time when separating himself from seasoned politicians would have been a cunning campaign tactic, but in this case, it puts him in a category with political novices like Kristin Davis and Jimmy McMillan, two unconventional candidates in New York's gubernatorial election.

However, prior to his decision to run for Congress, Gomez spent his days building up his wireless telecommunications business, rather than scheduling appointments for high-end women of the night or perfecting an expertise in karate.

As a newcomer with limited funds, trying to break into office often calls for a more thrifty campaign approach.

"We have to do it the old fashioned way," Gomez said. "We have to go door to door, street by street. We have a boatload of volunteers-they're going out. We're asking them to do as much as they can."

But a limited campaign almost seems fitting for a candidate who is pushing for a more limited government.

"You give the people back their money, let them invest, let them hire new people, and get out of the way-that's the model."

--Danielle Kraese