Angry Exchanges in Debate by Two Republican Hopefuls for Senate (in run against Clinton)

The Nefarious NY Times ^ | August 10, 2006 | MICHAEL COOPER

[neverdem]

The two Republicans seeking to unseat Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton clashed ferociously last night in a debate that centered far more on questions of marital infidelity, nepotism and other personal attacks than on what either candidate would do if elected.

Kathleen Troia McFarland, a former official in the Reagan-era Pentagon, repeatedly hammered John Spencer, a former mayor of Yonkers, for having an extramarital affair with a city employee while he was mayor, having relatives on the city payroll, and raising property taxes. Mr. Spencer fought back, accusing her of distorting his record with “lies and innuendos and half-truths” while ignoring her early pledge to run a positive campaign.

“She’s insulted my wife, she’s insulted my children, she’s insulted my military record, criticized my service in Vietnam,” Mr. Spencer complained when he was asked about the tenor of the race. “I do not think that my personal life, or Mrs. McFarland’s personal life, or problems that she may be having, are part of the dialogue that the state and the people of New York care about, or the nation.”

Ms. McFarland responded that the issues her campaign raised were fair game.

“You brought up your wife, and I must tell you that that’s not a personal issue,” she said. “That’s a professional issue. Because when you were mayor of Yonkers, you had an affair with your secretary while you were married to somebody else. You tripled her salary and made her your chief of staff. You were living with her. You doubled your own personal income. You got financial gain from that. And you had two children.”

Their debate, at Pace University in Manhattan, was the latest flashpoint...

--snip--

At one point, Ms. McFarland turned to Mr. Spencer and said, “You taxed and spent like Hillary, and you’ve behaved like Bill.”

[neverdem]

That last comment in the excerpt was cold. Regardless, he'll get my vote.

[ajolympian2004]

Some Republicans will never learn. It is as if Ronald Reagan never existed.

[mbraynard]

Why? I know Macfarland useless (hell, they both are), but why not just take a pass on them?

[Yaakov The Orator]

Tax and Spend like Hillary?

He cut taxes in Yonkers and turned it into an oasis.

Of course, E.T. McFarland simply wants to be Hitlery, not beat her.

John's blog tells a different story than E.T.

http://www.joinspencer.com/

[neverdem]

Why? I know Macfarland useless (hell, they both are), but why not just take a pass on them?

I don't follow. Would you care to explain yourself?

[neverdem]

Some Republicans will never learn. It is as if Ronald Reagan never existed.

McFarland's advisors include Ed Rollins.

[Cincinna]

The nominee of the NY State Republican Party is John Spencer. He is an excellent candidate.

"KT" has lost her entire campaign staff including Ed Rollins, and is sinking fast. She should do everyone a favor and get off the ballot before the primary in September.

[richmwill]

Ladies and Gentlemen... I present to you, the NY State GOP (rolling eyes).

[Cincinna]

"McFarland's advisors include Ed Rollins."

Ed Rollins quit her campaign because he found her to be off the wall and unmanageable

[neverdem]

Ed Rollins quit her campaign because he found her to be off the wall and unmanageable.

It's late. Do you have a link?

[Cincinna]

Sorry I don't, but there was an article about her campaign staff jumping ship a few days ago.

[AmericaUnited]

“You taxed and spent like Hillary, and you’ve behaved like Bill.”

To a Republican, the gravest insult.

To a Democrat, the absolutely best compliment.

[jmaroneps37]

She is most definitely a plant by the beast. A large portion of her campaign funds come from far left scumbags who give huge sums to the beast. The rest of the money she has comes from her own pocket, friends and those who want to curry favor with the beast. Rupert Murdock ( NOT A CONTRIBUTOR) might as well be a contributor because he has hosted a fund raiser for the beast. Spencer won't get an ounce of ink beyond what will be absolutely necessary.

Yes the race is all up hill, but the beast's plant has made it all but impossible. Pataki has been no help either. Besides being an awful governor this last term, he put up pierro to stop Spencer. Yes New York State is done for. If we don't hold the state senate spitzer will make the state look like moscow in the old days.

For the record, anyone who watched knows Spencer kicked her ash. He kept mentioning the "liberal media". He was right there as well. As if to prove his point, the scumbags at NY1 asked in their poll who won? Her Spencer or Hillary Clinton?" Their post debate discussion could have been held in a Democratic club in Greenwich Village.

[wtc911]

She is most definitely a plant by the beast. A large portion of her campaign funds come from far left scumbags who give huge sums to the beast.

---------------------------------------------------

Proof please.

[mbraynard]

I suppose if it's just a matter of a vote, then it doesn't matter so much. I guess it's nice to have a conservative carrying the Republican banner for Sen, even though he is being discounted.

[conservative blonde]

Just a question, can't the GOP in New York find a candidate that doesn't sleep around and reward mistresses? Some may not think this important but I sure do. I wouldn't vote for an immoral scumbag no matter how many times he was mayor of a city.

[wtc911]

Gracias. It appears that the NYS GOP has no real contenders, once again.