Despite being considered a political liability where he is known best, Western New York, billionaire Tom Golisano is feeling pretty good about himself. Despite the fact that most people in the political world think he’s a little nuts.

The Buffalo News had a story yesterday on how the bad election results for the races where Golisano staked his reputation hasn’t stopped him from claiming victory and opening an office for “Responsible” New York.

According to the News:

He prompted at least four allegations that he violated election law by coordinating his big spending with individual campaigns.

He even caused Erie County’s Democratic and Republican elections commissioners to demand a criminal investigation.

Opponents insist that his nearly bottomless pile of money is aimed not so much at reform but at his lust for power. They say he basically wrote a multimillion-dollar check to his political point man, G. Steven Pigeon, to spend lavishly on candidates favored by the former Erie County Democratic chairman.

“Their motives have nothing to do with their stated agenda,” said Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, who was one of the targets of Golisano’s efforts during the September Democratic primary.

“It’s just a power play for Tom Golisano and Steve Pigeon to have some influence in state government for political purposes rather than for policy,” he added.

Sen. Dale M. Volker, another Golisano target, was just as blunt about the organization he calls “Irresponsible New York.”

“They finagled and played around with the election law,” the Depew Republican said. “Golisano’s reputation, as far as I’m concerned, is badly marred with Buffalonians.”

Then Golisano makes a case for drug testing people who try to influence state elections.  Look at what he actually said in that article:

Now he believes he has helped upstate because the new leadership will take on special interests like public employee and health care unions.

“Our major goal is to improve the plight of upstate New York, and we’re now in a much better position to do that,” he said.

Wow!  Do you think he really believes Malcolm Smith and Shelly Silver are going to stand up to the special interests?  Isn’t Golisano becoming his own special interest? 

It’s nice to see that while Golisano’s reputation has been badly damaged, his self esteem still appears to be intact!