DEMS CONVENTION: Senate candidate adds spice

Glenn Thrush in Washington
June 5, 2006
Newsday

In a state Democratic convention devoid of drama or debate, anti-war crusader Jon Tasini provided a tiny jolt of excitement by threatening the Clinton clan with the terrible specter of inconvenience.

Tasini, a Senate candidate, forced the convention last week to pass a resolution condemning the Iraq war by threatening to saddle Hillary and Bill with three extra hours in Buffalo.

Tasini, a former writer's union exec who played his David's role with gusto, made his mischief by moving to insert his name on the ballot. Had he succeeded, it would have triggered a three-hour roll call, forcing the Clintons to idle their jets in a dimly lit Hyatt on the shores of Lake Erie.

To head off the threat, the convention leaders agreed to pass an anti-war resolution that characterized the 2003 Iraq invasion as an "error." Tasini didn't support the wording, but it was a victory for his cause. It puts Clinton (who voted for the invasion and still supports the war) out of step with her own state party on the most important issue facing the country.

This particular gadfly is hoping to avoid the swatter for a few months. Tomorrow morning, Tasini begins collecting the 15,000 statewide signatures needed to make the Sept. 12 primary ballot against Clinton. The kickoff is due to take place in Union Square - where he'll be joined by activist Cindy Sheehan, who has shifted her anger over the war from the GOP to Hillary.

Tasini, 49, insists he's not trying to "embarrass" the former first lady by waging his quixotic effort. "Look, if she's embarrassed by her position on the war, she ought to change it," he said.