This background raises a simple question: Is Hardwick a humble political science professor and sometime political pundit or a highly ambitious politician playing his role for his party as he patiently waits to have his meal ticket stamped, a la insurance salesman Tom Reynolds and pest exterminator, Tom Delay? Everyone has to have a day gig, right?

None of this is a problem until you go back and look at Hardwick’s role in the media. He is presented as an objective and learned voice of reason ringing out in a wilderness of political corruption caused by Democrats and Democrats turned Republican -like Joel Giambra. The reality is that Kevin Hardwick is more like our own local version of Jeff Gannon, serving up softball commentary to make his bosses look good, and push the political agenda of the team. The fact that he chairs the newly found “Department of Urban Studies” at GOP-friendly Canisius College does very little to mask the fact that Hardwick’s politics are suburban and deeply Republican. Channel 4 features former Dems Chairman Joe Crangle, as a political commentator, of course. But is he ever presented as anything other than that? Of course not.

Look for a lot more expert commentary on this fall’s Mayoral race from Hardwick, the pundit. You’re likely to find that it’s “fair and balanced” – especially if you’re a suburban Republican rooting for GOP candidate Kevin Helfer!

We Have a Winner! G. Steven Pigeon & Buffalo’s Mayoral Race

In any big political race, the media is filled with prognosticators. Few if any of these soothsayers look behind the curtains of power. Power brokers often like to hedge their bets by contributing to both parties and both candidates. Often the two major parties strike deals to help “save the whales” in the casino of American electoral politics. They are after all expected to give generously and give often because without big money and patronage there can be no party discipline. Even so, sometimes intramural rivalries throw a wrench into the works. Sometimes figures emerge who, like the leviathan campaign contributors fueling this political economy, are beyond the ordinary constraints of mere political mortals. Such appears to be the case with Former Erie County Democratic Party Chairman, G. Steven Pigeon.

Our prediction for this Fall’s mayoral race is simple. Pigeon will win no matter what. Okay, he won’t be Mayor but so what? He’ll be a winner and that’s what counts.

Pigeon, as you might recall, was ousted for what many perceived as a Machiavellian (some would say Stalinist) leadership style. He reemerged on Byron Brown’s staff in Albany with renegade Republican billionaire, and Buffalo Sabres owner, Tom Golisano in tow.

After Brown dismissed Pigeon from his staff, Pigeon returned to obscurity, only to reemerge as one of the chief instigators in Pinnacle Entertainment’s proposal to the Seneca Nation of Indians for a waterfront casino, along with veteran political operative Roger Stone and Republican Congressman Arlen Spector. By the way, it’s interesting that congressman Brian Higgins once indignant at the very suggestion of a waterfront casino, seems to have suddenly warmed up to the idea. Could the fact that his Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. is brokering the new deal have anything to do with it? Funny how the people who vilify Pigeon often wind up imitating him, isn’t it?

Anyway, Pigeon will win influence if either Helfer or Brown are elected. Why? In his hour of need, Joel Giambra, a former Democrat, sought out his old party boss, Steve Pigeon. The two remain close and keep in mind, Kevin Helfer was on Joel’s friends and family plan enjoying a cushy county job doling out county contracts. Of course, that was before Carl Paladino hired Kevin away with another patronage plum job, directing the city’s parking lots, but that’s not important. What’s important is that Helfer has known Joel for a long time and really does owe him. Therefore, Pigeon will enjoy influence through Giambra.

With Byron Brown, many observers thought that the rift between Pigeon and the State Senator was not real, and represented an effort for the mayoral candidate to distance himself from a controversial figure. While that may be so, it’s important to remember that Pigeon is also a longtime political backer of Grassroots Inc., the political club that is heading up Brown’s campaign.

So while it’s easy to see how this fall’s election could be shaping up to be a win-win for Pigeon the opposite may be true for current Democratic Party Chairman Len Lenihan. This may be because former Judge Bob Whelan, a Pigeon-backed candidate for Comptroller of Buffalo did some damage to Lenihan’s candidate Mark Poloncarz in the Democratic Primary. That race still has tongues wagging.

Here’s the skinny: It was found that Grassroots operatives were distributing Whelan campaign lit and they were being paid generously to do so. Not only did this reflect badly on Len Lenihan’s leadership of the Party, but it also indicated that Pigeon was still pulling strings in the Democratic camp as well. To make matters worse Joanne Cavalieri (often referred to as “Tony Masiello’s patronage queen”) is now said to be supporting Helfer indicating that there are high level defections in the Masiello clan of the democratic tribe.

So Lenihan faces tough sledding this winter. If Helfer wins, Lenihan will blamed for supporting an unelectable (read: black) candidate for Mayor of Buffalo. If Brown wins, Len will have to deal with a waxing political power in Grassroots Inc. They will know that there are no repercussions for ignoring his mandates and he may find them to be more amenable to the suggestions of their longtime ally, Steve Pigeon.

Hence we feel comfortable at this point – even before the polls have opened – in projecting G. Steven Pigeon the winner in Buffalo’s mayoral race this year.

Is Buffalo On the Brink of Civil War?!

With the breakdown of democratic government near completion, an economy in terminal decline and increasing racial tension, thanks to the Rovian attacks on Democratic mayoral candidate, Byron Brown is Buffalo headed for civil war?

Of course not! First off, the gelding of democratically elected leaders seems to be going along fine. Would you rather have someone who is at least nominally accountable for the financial decisions they make, or some unknown panel of experts? We seem to be fine with the latter. And while the economy may be in decline Buffalonians can at least shrug their collective shoulders and be thankful that the city is nowhere near the gulf coast. As far as the Byron Brown vs. Kevin Helfer match is concerned, let’s just say that it seems to be drawing less interest than Ali vs. Cooney.

Yet Buffalo may indeed be on the brink of civil war! Why? Because just when our fair burg was about to be safely delivered into the talons of M&T Bank’s Bob Wilmers, it appears that there may be at least one other buzzard on the horizon. Not all of the public debt floated by the region’s twin control boards will come under the control of Mr. Wilmers, and this could present problems.

When the county control board was selected by Gov. Pataki, the seeds of future conflict may have been inadvertently sown. In picking Ned Regan to head up the so-called “soft control board” Pataki seemed to be taking a conservative line. It’s important to note, however, that the Interim County Comptroller, Jim Hartman who was selected to replace Nancy Naples, served as a press secretary for Ned Regan. Ordinarily that wouldn’t raise eyebrows, until you realize that he was selected by Democrats in the Legislature.

Hartman, also worked for HSBC. Again, no big deal. But then the firm that was brought in to audit the county’s books, Public Finance Management was formerly owned by HSBC. Suddenly, a lot of tracks are starting to lead back to HSBC. Is it possible that HSBC would like to enjoy some of the market for government finance currently being controlled by Bob Wilmers & his cronies? And what about the Johnny-come-lately financier, Citizens Bank? We know that outfit’s Boss Manny Moroun would like to build us a private signature bridge, just like in Detroit, right? Arghhhhh!!!! What is it about carrion that always attracts a crowd? If there’s one thing worse than being a Buffalo wandering aimlessly around the American midwest, it’s being a dead Buffalo and having to wait for a bunch of drunken cowboys to duke it out before they finally carve you up.

Perhaps you’ve heard of Canisius College Poli-Sci Professor Kevin Hardwick. He’s often trotted out as an expert on political reform, improving municipal services, Reigionalism and a potpourri of other ostensibly bi-partisan issues. He might play the professor on TV but in real life he’s a lot more like a political Gilligan getting ordered around by his Republican skippers.

While Hardwick is almost universally depicted and sourced as a disinterested, academic observer of local politics, by The Buffalo News and Channel 2 News, the reality is that Hardwick is a key operative for the local GOP and a top lieutenant of Erie County GOP Chairman-in-waiting, Carl Calabrese.
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