American Politics Journal

Trouble for Ferraro
Her husband's escapades may torpedo her Senate hopes
by Jeff Koopersmith

Thursday, March 6th, 1997 -- NEW YORK (APJP) -- A story that didn't get much attention this week augers badly for Democratic Senate hopeful Geraldine Ferraro of New York.

This superb woman seems again to be the victim of her husband John Zaccaro's escapades. In polls taken last week, Ferraro was leading incumbent GOP Senator Al D'Amato by nearly 30 points and hopes were high. Now Ms. Ferraro, who was stained by accusations of illegal activities by her husband John and his false "ties" to organized crime during her Vice-presidential bid, may be facing a replay of this nuptial annoyance yet again.

It seems that John has been accused in a lawsuit filed on February 4th of cheating a partner -- Charles Gattoni -- in a 400-room hotel deal near North Stonington, Connecticut and about 5 miles from a gambling casino there. Gattoni says John Zaccaro illegally cut Gattoni's holdings in the hotel from 50% to nada, zero, nothing.

Zaccaro, says his lawyer, will file counter-charges.

Gattoni's charges may be unfounded, but the reappearance of Zaccaro's reputation, past accusations of mob ties (which he denies and were never proven), and other past troubles tell me Geraldine ought to send him on a long vacation before taking on Big Al.

SPECIAL: Watch for subpoenas relating to Hillary Clinton's own dinner and lunch invitations to well-heeled Democrat contributors. Price for lunch with the First Gal and less than 20 friends? $10,000 to $20,000. You can bank on it.

Let me remind you: I think contributions should be unrestricted. I think that elected officials should also be allowed to make fundraising calls from wherever they wish -- office or not. I think the President should also be allowed to entertain whomever he wishes, and no matter where in the White House he chooses. If people are so stupid as to give politicians hundreds of thousands to reelect them, then so be it. I could tell you a thousand stories about big givers who no one knows anymore and who got nothing but a kick in the teeth for their past contributions.