Winning over one Democrat at a time
A voter’s affiliation isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker when it comes to getting to D.C. for Kieran Lalor, a Republican who wants to unseat Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains. During a candidates’ forum last night in Patterson — of which the main event was the contest between Assemblyman Greg Ball, R-Patterson, and Republican John Degnan — Lalor attempted to steer someone to the right side of the aisle.
That someone was Putnam County Democratic Chair Lynne Eckardt, who, in questioning Lalor, revealed her political standing. Lalor didn’t hold it against her.
There’s a group called Democrats for Lalor. Check it out,” he quickly told her.
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Well, there’s at least one Dem in that group, described by Lalor in one of his breathless press releases as “the highest ranking Democrat in Wappinger.” Who could this bastion of the Democratic Party be, he who is so swayed by the brilliance of Mr. Lalor’s vision, that he would jump party lines to endorse Mr. Lalor? Why the Wappinger Town Clerk. Hey, he can endorse whoever he wants, he served in the Marine Corps Reserve with Lalor, I’d expect two buddies to stick up for each other. (He shouldn’t expect too much support from his own party when he’s up for re-election, I’m just saying.)
Pretty much everyone of Mr. Lalor’s statements attempts to put lipstick on a pig, but that doesn’t make them any less porcine.
This was not supposed to be a CONTEST, but advertised by BALL as a MEET THE CANDIDATES. It was ORGANIZED BY BALL and not an actual event for all candidates to express their views. Ball had a panel chosen by BALL and they were his supporters so this was not a true debate style meeting…but an advertisement for Ball.
Lalor is an impressive guy. Is Hall afraid to attend events that are sponsored by churches? I hope he underestimates Lalor just like Pataki, Oros, Kelly et al did.
Was Hall even invited?
I do recall that Degnan was invited to debate at this event by Ball. Ball said that if Degnan didn’t show, they might have a guy in a chicken costume stand in for Degnan. Really classy.
This from lohud, on July 8th…
“Earlier today, the two held dueling press conferences in Yorktown. Each called on the other to join him in a debate. Ball wants Degnan to show up on July 16 at a debate hosted by the Respect Life Society of Sacred Heart Church in Putnam Lake.
“I not only look forward to seeing John Degnan on July 16th but I believe the voters of this district deserve it,” Ball said.
The two are expected to face off in the GOP primary on Sept. 9. Minutes after Ball’s event ended, Degnan said he wanted Ball to agree to three debates before the primary. Those, Degnan said, would be hosted by the League of Women Voters in Westchester, by the county’s Joint Veterans Council in Putnam and by the Pawling Chamber of Commerce in Dutchess.
Ball called Degnan’s proposal “a cheap political ploy” and said his campaign contacted Degnan’s about the Respect Life Society debate but has been ignored.
Degnan wouldn’t say whether he would attend the debate next week in Putnam Lake, adding that this morning was the first he heard about it. He scoffed at Ball’s threat to put someone wearing a chicken suit in his seat if he failed to show.
“We know who the clown is in the audience. That’s Greg Ball,” Degnan said. “So between the chicken and the clown, his circus has left town.””