FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:

October 11, 2010 Ashley Dittus (845)-594-4512

Ulster County Democratic Committee

ucdemchair@gmail.com



Ulster County Republicans Embrace Paladino Following Hateful Statements



Two days after Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino distributed a speech condemning “dysfunctional homosexuals” and just a day after he doubled-down on his bigotry, saying that he did not regret his statements at all, Ulster County Republicans welcomed Paladino to New Paltz and Kingston. Paladino also stated that children should not be “brainwashed” into thinking that homosexuality is “an equally valid option” and criticized Andrew Cuomo as not “normal” for permitting his children attend a gay pride parade. (Paladino himself has a child from an extramarital affair). Paladino’s anti-gay tirade comes as suicides among gay youth and hate crimes against gays are on the rise, including a horrific gang assault just days ago in the Bronx. In the wake of the candidate’s hateful rhetoric even the State Chairman of the Republican Party has distanced himself from Paladino, stating that the candidate can “speak for himself” and formally condemning “any remarks that can be construed as homophobic.”



No such condemnation has been forthcoming, however, from the Ulster County Republican Party or its candidates. The Ulster County Republican Party was a strong early supporter of Paladino, formally endorsing him in the Republican primary in September.



Ulster County Democratic Chair Julian Schreibman called on the Republican leadership and candidates to take a stand against bigotry and repudiate Paladino’s divisive rhetoric. “It is bad enough that Chairwoman Yess, Fawn Tantillo, Peter Rooney and the other candidates have all been silent in the face of Paladino’s outrageous attacks, but now they are welcoming this spokesperson for hate to our community. If they embrace the messenger, voters must conclude that they embrace the message.”

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