Mixed views on a Weld run

NEW YORK -- Former Massachusetts governor William F. Weld yesterday started laying the groundwork for a bid for New York State's top job, while Democrats met his announcement with fierce criticisms of his recent absence from public life, reasons for running, and apparently shifting stance on gay marriage.

''We are kind of scratching our heads here wondering why New York needs Bill Weld," said Michael Schell, the founder of the Democratic Rural Conference and a close friend of Eliot Spitzer, the state attorney general, a Democrat who is widely favored to succeed Governor George E. Pataki, a Republican.

''He's been here for five years, but hasn't been involved in a public debate, public discourse, or public service. Apparently, not even any type of public service. We are kind of wondering if this just a lark on his part," Schell said.

''Karl Rove asking him to run really isn't a good reason to run for governor," he said, referring to a call made by the White House adviser.

''William Weld is running because he is bored," said Howard Wolfson, a top Democratic strategist. ''Eliot Spitzer is running to make a difference."

In a poll taken in May by Quinnipiac University, Spitzer beat Weld 60 percent to 16 percent in a hypothetical competition for the governor's office in 2006 if both candidates win their party's nomination.

Democrats also targeted Weld's comments to The New York Times that while he was for gay marriage in Massachusetts as a way to abide with an order from the state's top court, he said New York and other states should adopt civil unions.

''Doesn't he favor same-sex marriage? We thought for sure he was a champion in Massachusetts. I wonder what the people of Massachusetts are saying?" said Darren Dopp, a spokesman for Spitzer.

Stephen J. Minarik III, New York State's Republican Party chairman, who met with Weld yesterday at former mayor Rudolph Giuliani's office in Manhattan, said Weld is clearly ready to run for the state's top job. Weld is expected to attend a meeting Sept. 8 between interested candidates and state Republican leaders.

''I will tell you this, I think Bill Weld is extremely serious about running for governor. He has taken a lot of time researching the issues, and he's a born-and-bred New Yorker," said Minarik, who added that it was his first time meeting Weld. ''We have a process in place. We ask people to participate in meetings with the county chairmen and women; that's where the candidates get to meet the chairs."

Weld, 60, was born and raised on Long Island, but spent most of his political career in Massachusetts. In 1997, he shocked the state by leaving the governor's office in the middle of his term in a failed bid to become ambassador to Mexico. He moved to New York in 2000 to work as an investment adviser.

A number of other Republicans have talked of seeking the Republican nomination. Few sounded willing to clear the path for Weld.

''I say this respectfully," state Senator John J. Flanagan said. ''The fact that the former governor of Massachusetts might be getting in the race doesn't faze me at all."

Patrick R. Manning, a New York assemblyman, said he is still considering a run for governor.

''I think Republicans show we are strong by showing we have many people who want to run for governor. In my view, Governor Weld is a capable man and has experience," Manning said.

''We have an interesting situation, though. He might have a hard road in his candidacy," Manning said, referring to the fact that few Republicans have won state office without the backing of the Conservative Party. ''The Conservative Party has several beliefs they feel strongly about. I do not know if Weld's philosophy is in sync."

Michael Long, chairman of the Conservative Party, agreed Weld will face several hurdles.

''I do not know if Weld's philosophy is going to connect with those of the upstate Republicans and the Republicans in Long Island. He clearly might be the nicest guy in the world, but he has been extremely liberal on social issues," Long said.

''This is where the flip-flopping comes in," said Rodney Capel, executive director of the New York State Democratic Committee, of Weld's stance on same-sex marriage. ''He has started his campaign with a flip-flop."

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.