Bill Carey

She said…he said….he said…they said….she said.
It’s an unfolding brouhaha over comments by state democratic party co-chair, Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner. Last week, at a party rally, the mayor was quoted by the Syracuse Post-Standard presenting a laundry list of complaints over republican positions . She added:
“They are a party of hatred that wraps up their hatred in clever 30-second sound bites.”
The first to complain about the remarks was state GOP Chair Ed Cox who demanded an apology.

Now, the chairman of the Onondaga County republican party, Tom Dadey, says Miner should make a choice. Does she want to be mayor or the state party co-chair. Dadey says her blast at republicans has fouled the atmosphere as the city seeks help in dealing with its fiscal crisis.

“Who’s she going to lean to? Right now, Congress is controlled by the republicans. Right now, the State Senate is controlled by the republicans. Right now, county government and the county legislature is controlled by the republicans. So, she needs to work with folks on the other side of the aisle. Something she has proven, time and time again, she has a difficult time doing”, Dadey said.

The issue is also bubbling now in the race for Congress in the new 24th District. Republican incumbent Ann Marie Buerkle was the direct target of Miner’s assault on GOP positions. She’s demanding that her democratic opponent, Dan Maffei, repudiate the remarks.
“It’s unfortunate that our Mayor of Syracuse cannot differentiate between her own agenda and that of the people of Syracuse. Ms. Miner’s words were not representative of the 12,000 Republicans who reside in her city. Her divisive remarks do nothing to encourage a healthy debate on the issues we face in Upstate New York, and I think Dan Maffei has a duty to the people in this district, on both sides of the aisle, to denounce her extremely partisan language. Perhaps, the mayor’s time would be better spent addressing Syracuse’s current fiscal situation.”
Maffei did not criticize the mayor but steered clear of the dispute at a news conference on education spending. His comment?

“I’m about working together. I can’t speak for the mayor, but I can speak for myself. I want to reach out to republicans and I have. I did that when I was in office. I would continue to do that again , going back. You know, we need to get things done. We need to drop our party labels in order to do that.”

Maffei spoke at that same rally as Miner, although a reporter termed his speech, “less strident”.

Miner, for her part is not apologizing and not ready to give up her new party job or the mayor’s office/ She issued a statement this afternoon:

“Today, New York voters are hearing nothing new from our local and state Republican leaders. They continue to talk about words and rhetoric while Democrats are talking about substance and policy. Why does the GOP refuse to talk about solutions? Because they have none. They are trying to defend an indefensible record: protecting tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, dismantling Medicare, and celebrating HR3-which redefines rape and tries to take away a woman’s right to choose. We need to focus on what the GOP didn’t say. We are offering solutions, creating jobs, delivering a new green energy economy, giving students the opportunities and the financing they need to succeed, fighting climate change, and defending the rights of women to live and work without discrimination. This campaign needs to be about action and not talk. I and our Democratic leaders are committed to action.”