Tom Golisano

According to sources who are "in the know" NY State Senate majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno, and some of his colleagues have made two visits to Paychex founder, Tom Golisano to discuss what support the Republicans could offer-- if Golisano chose to run on the Republican line for governor of New York.

While Golisano, it is reported, showed tepid interest in running, and even less in making any deals, he left the door slightly ajar for a third visit.

Golisano is in a unique place.

Unlike a number of candidates who could be said to be fairly bursting at the ego to run, Golisano can sit quiet, patiently. He does not need the money. He is not, it seems, befuddled by the vain stupidity of seeking elected office for the dunce cap of fame.

He has power already.

What the Republicans can offer -collectively -- is perhaps a greater chance at elect- ability.

As an ambiguous, affiliated assortment of political hacks, without true convictions, other than that tremendous conviction that attention to self- aggrandizement or personal gain - is the means to energize a political party during election time, they would be ready, willing and possibly able to get votes for Tom Golisano.

But what would they do with a man who might make no deals in return for their support?

It is said that other than the two Bruno visits - definite deals were offered by some politicians in the Republican camp.

Golisano retorted “that's what I would be running against. Deals --made for political support.”

To try to make a deal with Golisano is to betray an utter ignorance of the man.

Consider, in the last year or so he has donated more than 60 million dollars to charity, 14 million to Childrens Hospital of Rochester alone.

He is philanthropist of the year, and last year, and next year.

A man like that you cannot barter with -- let alone buy.

He does what he thinks is right, and if you study his history, with 34 years of constant work growing a company, making others rich along with himself- a path straight and narrow- he cannot at this late stage - be persuaded to make a deal for anything that isn’t exactly what he believes is right.
Consider, that the least valuable of all the stock value he procured and arranged through his leadership for any of his 17 junior partners was around 200 million.

Golisano does not need to run for governor.

If he runs, it will be on his terms, and his platform.

If the Republicans can conform to it, then he may take their endorsement, presupposing he is willing to make the sacrifice it will take to run at all.

Remember, you are dealing with a man with a golden history. A life in some respects of almost legendary proportions.

He is a man who “under promises and over delivers.” He is not politic. He is not particularly diplomatic, but he is straightforward and truthful.

And he- of all candidates - understands that it is sacrifice that is required to lead.

What is it that most politicians seek: accolades, recognition, to change the world and get the credit? Golisano doesn’t think that way.

He has his feet firmly rooted in the earth.

Today he will be splitting logs at his home, tomorrow he is on his private jet to Europe.

I have seen him argue jocularly with Steve Pigeon over who will pay a $20 bill for lunch at some homely diner which he prefers over fancier fare, then agree to split the bill, then later get on his jet and have one of two full- time pilots take him to his mansion in Naples, or donate a million dollars to charity because he thinks it might do a little good.

He is the kind of man that common people like because he is that too.
Common and ordinary and plain-- in an extraordinary way.
And honest.

He will talk to the fisherman, the janitor, or the State Senate majority leader the same way.

There will be no deals.

If the Republicans want him to be the next governor - and there are probably a good two dozen reasons why they probably do- it will have to be without strings attached.

As Franklin said, “there is no man so vile that he does not secretly admire the good,” even the deal makers have to secretly sit back and admire:

Other men expend the heart of their energies into winning elected office – so much so that any deal is secretly good, so long as it takes them closer to their prize.

They develop a kind of mania for winning which betrays the very fabric of their own pretended ideals. They promise things they can never and do not ever plan on delivering.
Golisano under promises and over delivers.

Ask anyone who has ever been around him, done business with him, knew him as a man, as a friend.

If he runs for governor on the Republican line and wins, things will never be the same again – in New York State.

Sources tell me that certain Republicans offered to Golisano – that Rudy Guiliani and other great figures will stand shoulder to shoulder with him – and endorse him- giving him mainstream credibility to marry with his own folk- hero - maverick status.

The political teams of thousands --party insiders-- will go out through every town and village and carry his banner and cry hoarse his support. He would have money other than his own to fund “his own” campaign.

But Golisano would never look at it as “his” campaign. It is not his; he is not running for himself. If he runs it is because – as naïve as it sounds- because he believes he can do something to lighten the load of the people overburdened by a system of government that has become inordinately burdensome-- because of deals made by men and women bursting with ego -who sought first to get elected.
Golisano, on the other hand, has talked about buying the Buffalo News, of starting his own newspaper. And as for the types who sell out their long time supporters, or vote for the deal instead of the ideal, the defiant nature of the man – would prompt him to rather indulge in a, perhaps, quixotic adventure of a write – in campaign to support the candidate who actually believes in the ideals of the party.

And he would show his disdain for the timid man who has no loyalty to those who have helped him in the past because he was afraid of had no more use for a man he once called a friend.

Remember Golisano started his own political party – and named it “Independence.”

If the Republicans come again, for a third time, to Tom Golisano’s door, if they wish to succeed, if they hope to prevent the Democrats from taking the mansion in Albany back, then they should come to him with no deals, none whatsoever.

They can talk about ideals.

They can say – give us leadership and we will follow – because we believe, and maybe then they can persuade the giant.

Otherwise he will do what he wills, and, thankfully, because it is Tom Golisano, whatever is is, it will be truthful & sincere.