Schumer Backs Squadron, and Campaigns for Him
Grinning denial of retribution for '98 race, and a focus on former aide's positives rather than criticism
Days after Sen. Charles Schumer (D) endorsed Daniel Squadron in his bid to unseat State Sen. Martin Connor (D-Manhattan/Brooklyn), the duo held rallies in TriBeCa and Brooklyn Heights.
Schumer and Squadron stayed positive, not taking the opportunity to criticize Connor. Schumer said he has made similar endorsements in a primary race where a candidate is a sitting senator.
“When I think there’s somebody who’s worked hard for me, and I think they’re a special person, I’m happy to do it,” Schumer said.
The endorsement has been viewed as political retribution against Connor, who, as minority leader, endorsed Schumer’s primary opponent, Geraldine
Ferraro, in his 1998 race for the Senate. Schumer, grinning, denied that this led to lending his support to Squadron, a former aide to Schumer and co-author of his last book, Positively American: Winning Back the Middle-Class Majority One Family at a Time.
“This is all about the quality of this man,” he said. “I just think he’d be an extraordinary state senator and it’s a great opportunity for people here.”
While Connor has held his seat for longer than the 28-year-old Squadron has been alive, Schumer told the crowd that Squadron, who has not held political office before, would be qualified to hold the office.
“You elect him senator, you won’t be disappointed. I know how often you get disappointed in the people you elect,” Schumer said.
With Connor’s 2006 primary opponent Ken Diamondstone announcing he will not enter this year’s primary, Squadron said he would accept Diamondstone’s support.
“Folks who have worked hard in the district, as certain as Ken Diamondstone has, all of their support would be an honor,” Squadron said.
Residents stopped to speak with the candidate and Schumer, allowing them to give their position on a host of issues.
On congestion pricing, Squadron, though unsure of how he would have voted, said the bill should have been altered and passed.
“I would have fought in Albany very, very hard to fix it,” Squadron said. “By not passing it we missed a historic opportunity in the city. We can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”
A woman at the rally asked Squadron whether he is supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton or Sen. Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, providing an opening for Schumer to criticize presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain.
“McCain is not going to be a very strong candidate in my opinion. Ninety-five percent of what he believes in is the Bush policy. The Bush policies have hurt the middle class and hurt average Americans. As the campaign roles forward, people are going to see McCain and Bush are like this,” Schumer said, holding is index and middle fingers together.
Despite the prolonged primary battle between Clinton and Obama, Schumer said that the Democratic nominee will win comfortably in November, but stressed the need to keep the party together.
“I would urge people, whether they’re Hillary or Obama supporters: support your candidate but let’s not let it get so heated that we say we wouldn’t support the other one against the next Bush,” Schumer said.
In Brooklyn Heights, Squadron and Schumer spoke to residents outside of a Henry Street apartment building, which is part of the Mitchell-Lama housing program. Those living in the apartment are torn by a vote to opt out of the housing subsidy.
Squadron praised Mitchell-Lama housing, calling it a “testament and monument” to government’s ability to help the middle class stay in New York City.
“Folks who have made their lives in Mitchell-Lama in these great buildings continue to have the opportunity to do so.”
Squadron said that the state failed to stop people living in Mitchell-Lama apartments from opting out of the program. On privatization, Squadron said it was inappropriate to tell residents how they should vote.
“Those who have made their lives here could continue to have that opportunity,” Squadron said. “We can create programs so that neighbors never end up pitted against neighbors.”
Jerilyn Kaplan, a resident of the Henry Street apartment that is in favor of privatization, said the Mitchell-Lama apartments are becoming low-income housing and not helping middle class residents. Middle class and housing issues, she said, are important in the Brooklyn side of the district.
“This is a big bloc of his votes,” Kaplan said. “He better explore the issue.”
Schumer and Squadron stayed positive, not taking the opportunity to criticize Connor. Schumer said he has made similar endorsements in a primary race where a candidate is a sitting senator.
“When I think there’s somebody who’s worked hard for me, and I think they’re a special person, I’m happy to do it,” Schumer said.
The endorsement has been viewed as political retribution against Connor, who, as minority leader, endorsed Schumer’s primary opponent, Geraldine
Ferraro, in his 1998 race for the Senate. Schumer, grinning, denied that this led to lending his support to Squadron, a former aide to Schumer and co-author of his last book, Positively American: Winning Back the Middle-Class Majority One Family at a Time.
“This is all about the quality of this man,” he said. “I just think he’d be an extraordinary state senator and it’s a great opportunity for people here.”
While Connor has held his seat for longer than the 28-year-old Squadron has been alive, Schumer told the crowd that Squadron, who has not held political office before, would be qualified to hold the office.
“You elect him senator, you won’t be disappointed. I know how often you get disappointed in the people you elect,” Schumer said.
With Connor’s 2006 primary opponent Ken Diamondstone announcing he will not enter this year’s primary, Squadron said he would accept Diamondstone’s support.
“Folks who have worked hard in the district, as certain as Ken Diamondstone has, all of their support would be an honor,” Squadron said.
Residents stopped to speak with the candidate and Schumer, allowing them to give their position on a host of issues.
On congestion pricing, Squadron, though unsure of how he would have voted, said the bill should have been altered and passed.
“I would have fought in Albany very, very hard to fix it,” Squadron said. “By not passing it we missed a historic opportunity in the city. We can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.”
A woman at the rally asked Squadron whether he is supporting Sen. Hillary Clinton or Sen. Barack Obama in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, providing an opening for Schumer to criticize presumptive Republican nominee Sen. John McCain.
“McCain is not going to be a very strong candidate in my opinion. Ninety-five percent of what he believes in is the Bush policy. The Bush policies have hurt the middle class and hurt average Americans. As the campaign roles forward, people are going to see McCain and Bush are like this,” Schumer said, holding is index and middle fingers together.
Despite the prolonged primary battle between Clinton and Obama, Schumer said that the Democratic nominee will win comfortably in November, but stressed the need to keep the party together.
“I would urge people, whether they’re Hillary or Obama supporters: support your candidate but let’s not let it get so heated that we say we wouldn’t support the other one against the next Bush,” Schumer said.
In Brooklyn Heights, Squadron and Schumer spoke to residents outside of a Henry Street apartment building, which is part of the Mitchell-Lama housing program. Those living in the apartment are torn by a vote to opt out of the housing subsidy.
Squadron praised Mitchell-Lama housing, calling it a “testament and monument” to government’s ability to help the middle class stay in New York City.
“Folks who have made their lives in Mitchell-Lama in these great buildings continue to have the opportunity to do so.”
Squadron said that the state failed to stop people living in Mitchell-Lama apartments from opting out of the program. On privatization, Squadron said it was inappropriate to tell residents how they should vote.
“Those who have made their lives here could continue to have that opportunity,” Squadron said. “We can create programs so that neighbors never end up pitted against neighbors.”
Jerilyn Kaplan, a resident of the Henry Street apartment that is in favor of privatization, said the Mitchell-Lama apartments are becoming low-income housing and not helping middle class residents. Middle class and housing issues, she said, are important in the Brooklyn side of the district.
“This is a big bloc of his votes,” Kaplan said. “He better explore the issue.”
