VITO NOT FINITO

I WON'T QUIT
DEFIANT VITO: I CAN CHEAT AND RUN
By CARL CAMPANILE

May 10, 2008 --
Defying disgusted constituents and angry Republican leaders, disgraced Rep. Vito Fossella has told pals he plans to seek re-election.
And, shockingly, the Staten Island pol is feeling "pretty good," he confided to friends.
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"I got every indication that he plans to run again," said Guy Molinari, Fossella's political mentor, who's been in close contact with the embattled 43-year-old politician.
Fossella is up for re-election in November.

"He's not just inclined to run. He plans on running," said Molinari, a former congressman and Staten Island borough president who was succeeded by Fossella as the de facto leader of the borough's GOP.
Fossella's statements not only defy national party leaders, who have said they will not back him, but suggest the congressman may be in denial.

He even expressed shock that other Republicans are eyeing his seat.
"What's this all about?" Fossella asked Molinari, of news reports naming potential GOP candidates.
He said he was "surprised" and "puzzled" that party colleagues are being mentioned as possible replacements, Molinari said.

Those close to Fossella continue to support him, Molinari said. "Vito is surprised and emboldened by the support he's been getting."
"He's gotten a lot of encouragement," said Molinari. "I told him nobody is going to run a primary against him if you decide to run again."
The congressman told Molinari he felt "pretty good" despite the public pounding he's taking over his double life.

Fossella confessed last week to having a 3-year-old daughter with gal pal Laura Fay, a 45-year-old retired Air Force colonel who signed him out of the drunk tank the morning after a drunken-driving arrest in Alexandria, Va. The congressman and his wife, Mary Pat, have three children.
The revelations sparked outrage among many constituents and in Republican circles. Insiders whispered that Fossella's career is over and that he should step down, while House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) pointedly called on Fossella to make a decision this weekend.

A Fossella resignation would have a domino effect on Staten Island politics and the Republican Party. The best option to replace Fossella right now, several sources said, is Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan, who has fielded calls from Boehner about the seat.
Donovan is an attractive option because of high name recognition - and because of the contrast of a law-and-order official against a man arrested for drunken driving while en route to his second family, sources said.

Another option is state Sen. Andrew Lanza. But in addition to being one of Fossella's closest friends, Lanza is helping the state Senate Republicans cling to a slim majority - and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno is expected to resist any move to tap him for Congress.
If Fossella does resign, timing could be crucial.

If he leaves before July 1, Gov. Paterson could call a special election that would fill the congressional seat until the term ends this year.
If a Democrat won that election, he or she would head into the fall general election as an incumbent.
But if Fossella leaves after July 1, the seat would remain vacant until the election, with Fossella's staff likely keeping constituent operations going.