Hypocrite NY Gov Candidate Hits Contender Cuomo On Not Supporting Gays
Saturday, October 16th 2010, 4:00 AM
Carl Paladino is launching new 'Cuomo Land' attack ads against opponent, using popular kids' game Candy Land as model - minus anything sweet.
Paladino, who staunchly opposes gay nuptials, accused Cuomo of being a hypocrite for touting his support for same-sex weddings now - but being "all but invisible" when the issue was before the Legislature last year.
"He was asked by those pushing for the measure to call three wavering senators," the Paladino campaign said in the first of what it promises will be daily "Cuomo Land" attacks.
Political pros were puzzled that Paladino would attack Cuomo on gays, given that the Tea Party darling's campaign unraveled this week after he delivered an anti-gay diatribe.
Veteran Democratic operative Hank Sheinkopf called it a "bad choice of a first issue" for the "Cuomo Land" attacks.
"All it will do is reinforce the fact that he looked like a bigot last week," Sheinkopf said.
Paladino told a Jewish group in Brooklyn last weekend that kids shouldn't be "brainwashed" into believing homosexuality is an "equally valid option."
The ensuing firestorm prompted campaign manager Michael Caputo, who crafted some of the controversial speech, to offer his resignation.
"Offered. Declined. Move on," Caputo recounted Paladino telling him.
Caputo said his team chose to hit Cuomo on gay marriage because the Democrat attended the Empire State Pride Agenda's annual dinner Thursday and pledged his support for gay marriage.
Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto said the attack was "not worthy of comment."
The "Cuomo Land" attacks are modeled after the classic board game Candy Land, with an image of Cuomo holding a candy cane and wearing a striped hat.
"We will do this daily to assure the facts are straight on what he says and what he does," Caputo said.
http://www.nydailynews.com
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