Rick Lazio Inks Deal to be Media Commentator

WINS News ^ | 1/26/04

[areafiftyone]

He came out of virtual obscurity and disappeared nearly as quickly.

Now the man who unsuccessfully challenged Hillary Rodham Clinton in the 2000 U.S. Senate race in New York plans to become a media personality and commentator on business and political issues.

Former Long Island congressman Rick Lazio has signed on with retired Fox News Channel vice president Ian Rae to develop media projects, both men said in a statement Monday.

Lazio, who became president and CEO of the Financial Services Forum shortly after the Senate race, plans to remain at his post as an advocate for the financial industry.

The plan is for Rae to increase the visibility of both the Financial Services Forum and Lazio as its CEO.

Rae said in a statement that Lazio's experience in the House, as well as his tenure at the Forum, gives him "the background to speak on how business and politics intersect."

Lazio, who was featured on national news programs during his run for the Senate, has appeared sporadically on various news interview programs since leaving office.

In a statement, the former congressman appeared ready for his close-up:

"I have been able to take advantage of a number of opportunities that revealed the potential of the news media as a positive force for the industry," he said. "There is a great need today for people who can make complex economic and political forces accessible to a mass audience."

Lazio was a little-known congressman who was catapulted into the national spotlight in 2000 when he entered the Senate race against Clinton after New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani dropped out because of prostate cancer.

Despite spending nearly $40 million, he would up losing by double digits to the former first lady. He has not sought public office since.

[Endeavor]

what a thrill. will he be as boring as the guy from Ohio who has his own weekend show on FOX and subs for O'Reilly? snooze

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Lazio? I'd rather get my teeth drilled than listen to him speak for any length of time. Decisions like this don't bode well for FNC.

[evilC]

Ping

[pgkdan]

I wouldn't call John Kasich boring.

[pgkdan]

He didn't sign with FNC.

[Hank Rearden]

I wouldn't call John Kasich boring.

No, I'd call him extraordinarily boring and very awkward on-air. I also want to know where he disappeared to during his pal Condidit's troubles.

Lazio was lame against Hillary; not expecting anything better now.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Thanks. I should've read more closely. See now that he signed on with Ian Rae.

Nevermind.

(Although, I still have very little regard for Lazio.)

[Finalapproach29er]

Loser.

[Finalapproach29er]

Can't beat madam bubba. He should be selling insurance.

[Endeavor]

No one's twisting your arm to call Kasich boring. To each his own. I find him thick-headed, too. Kinda like Hannity.

[nutmeg]

ping!

[nutmeg]

Interesting... thanks for the ping!

I see his website is still up and running: www.lazio.com

[pointsal]

Kasich seems to know the difference between boys and girls and what not to do with an intern. In fact, I kinda prefer him over that nincompoop, O'Reilly.

[firebrand]

I heard him speak recently and he was terrific. He was more forceful, direct, and serious than I've ever seen him before. I always thought he had enough gravitas, but now he has more. Then, in answer to a question from the audience, he did a hilarious bit on how to answer a liberal.

[stanz]

As we all know, Rick Lazio's abilities are grossly underrated. If his campaign staff served him better, he would have beat that POS. BTW, Rudy Giuliani is a hard act to follow.

[firebrand]

All things work together for good . . . etc. A better time for him may be coming. I cannot see this guy as finished. No way.

[Cacique]

I don't watch television, and if I did, he would be the last thing I would watch. Lazio represents the stupid boring quality kind of candidates we run in this state.

He should have become an undertaker, at least there he would have had a captive audience and they would be beyond being bored to death.

[nutmeg]

LOL... Oh come on! ;-D

[nutmeg]

A better time for him may be coming. I cannot see this guy as finished. No way.

I agree.

I expected to see the usual Lazio naysayers crop up on this thread. But those of us who actually know Rick Lazio and/or have volunteered for him, or who have heard him speak numerous times know better.

I agree he ran a lousy campaign in 2000, and made some key mistakes (underestimating the Upstate voters was one), but he got into the race rather late after Rudy bowed out, which didn't help. And even with all the money he collected (from very concerned anti-Hillary conservatives from all over the country), he was still David going up against the Goliath of the formidable Hillary Machine.

His "political pundit" appearances on Fox News have been very good, IMO. I think he'll probably be successful in his plans to become a commentator on business and political issues.