The Capitol Connection on WAMC

Host Alan Chartock is joined by Ed Cox, Chairman of the New York State Republican Party. They discuss the selection of Rep. Paul Ryan as the GOP Vice Presidential nominee, Mitt Romney’s chances of carrying New York, Rep. Todd Akin’s rape comments, and next week’s convention in Tampa.

New York State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox says embattled Missouri Congressman and Senate candidate Todd Akin — under fire for his comments Sunday about pregnancy stemming from what he called “legitimate rape” — should bow out of the race against incumbent Democrat Claire McCaskill. Cox spoke with WAMC’s Alan Chartock on The Capitol Connection.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. They discuss the state’s pension fund, the 2012 election, and the prospects of a super control board for troubled municipalities.

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is warning against the fiscal overhauls promoted by Republican Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan, the chair of the House Budget Committee. DiNapoli, a Democrat, says on this week’s Capitol Connection program that the state can’t afford the GOP ticket’s plans.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by Blair Horner, who serves as Vice President for Advocacy for the American Cancer Society – Eastern Division. Before taking that position last year, Horner was the longtime Legislative Director for the New York Public Interest Research Group.  He also briefly worked for then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. They discuss cancer rates in New York and public health legislation.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by James Odato, who covers New York state government for the Albany Times Union and writes an influential weekly column. They discuss the spat over the New York State Archives and the debate over whether lawmakers should receive a pay raise.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by Jimmy Vielkind, who covers New York State government for the Albany Times Union and its Capitol Confidential blog. They discuss what has become a public battle over access to now-Governor Andrew Cuomo’s records from his tenure as state Attorney General.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by Steve Greenberg of the Siena Research Institute. They discuss the new poll’s findings on the Affordable Care Act, the enduring popularity of Governor Cuomo, and the reelection hopes of President Obama and Senator Gillibrand.

Host Alan Chartock is joined by Michael Long, longtime chair of the New York State Conservative Party. They discuss the party’s enrollment efforts, redistricting, Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, and how conservatives can compete with New York’s large number of registered Democrats.

The longtime chair of the New York State Conservative Party says that while his wing of the Republican Party did not always back presumptive presidential nominee Mitt Romney, it is now firmly behind the former Massachusetts Governor’s campaign. Michael Long spoke to WAMC’s Alan Chartock on this week’s Capitol Connection program.