With two and a half weeks to go, it seems that Joe lhota’s efforts to reach out to traditional Democratic voters and Independents has hit hard back home. Some in the Republican Party are now begining to leak their feelings and criticism over Lhota’s inability to gain traction.

“It’s been a painful campaign to watch,” veteran Republican strategist Ed Rollins told the Daily News.”When the errors are being highlighted as opposed to the vision … I think to a certain extent, that’s a campaign that’s got big trouble.”

“What I’ve heard from so many people is, ‘I’m going to vote for Joe. I’m not going to give him any money. I don’t think he can win,'” Rollins said. “There’s no enthusiasm building up among Republicans or others that there’s an alternative to de Blasio. I think that’s the death knell.”

Mr. Lhota’s former rival, John Catsimatidis found it less surprising. “Joe has alienated some people in the Republican Party. Some of the Republicans are upset,” Mr. Catsimatidis told Gotham Talk radio Saturday night.

“I’m in equal parts embarrassed and disappointed that they’ve run such a lackluster campaign,” said Republican political consultant Gerry O’Brien. “They haven’t marketed him anywhere near the way they need to.”

Stephen Thompson, past president of the Richmond County Young Republicans, said he’s concerned Lhota has not only failed to make inroads with Democrats, but isn’t even giving the GOP rank and file a rallying flag to carry into the battle.

“It’s certainly hard to sell (Lhota) to the average voter that’s not involved (in politics) all the time,” Thompson said cautiously.

“I guess the worst part is, I don’t really know what his message is.”

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)