During a spotty debate with Andrew Gounardes, at times State Senator Martin Golden smirked just like VP Joe Biden did during Congressman Paul Ryan’s remarks — other times during the show it looked like Golden thought it was going to be a shouting contest with some of his questioners

Golden looked like he made a spotty showing during a raucous debate with Gounardes – but Golden did have his moments

State Senator Golden often smirked just like Joe Biden did during his debate with Paul Ryan. Other times he’d sit rigid and looked anxious to attack his opponent. Maybe, State Senator Martin Golden should take a course in comportment at the Bay Ridge manor; that way he might avoid the smirks, ticks and odd postures that several times overtook him while he was listening to his opponent and/or  hostile questioners.

Style points aside, any real Conservative or conservative Republican should take little comfort in some of what State Senator Martin Golden’s had to say at the Dyker Heights Civic Association. In spite of the snide looks and occasional histrionics, for a while Golden’s positions seemed to be merely watered down versions of those advanced by  his Democratic opponent.

Several signal shortcomings of Martin Golden as a so-called conservative Republican were highlighted by how he discussed and argued his various positions.  The State Senator is completely out of it on gun rights and gun control. His positions and his rhetoric on are completely contradictory. Furthermore, I’m at a loss as how Golden even earns a “B” from the N.R.A.  –  how that rating rose to an “A” is completely inexplicable — how Golden gets that rating needs  to be pursued with the N.R.A. Golden’s positions are those of a police-stater with an emphasis on law enforcement  ( btw, contrary to Senator Golden’s view of the powers of the New York State Legislature, no legislation puts criminals in prison, and “his” legislation is no exception).

On education, a Martin Golden oneliner said it all — “I’ve funded schools to the tune of Billions – not millions –  of dollars...” (given enough time he might get it to trillions).

As a debater and long-time legislator Golden seems to be very proud that he is rated  #2 in the legislature and #2 in the State Senate on legislation that has passed both Houses in Albany.  Remember that’s #2 in the most dysfunctional state legislature in the country; #2 in creating a business climate in New York State that is the worst of any state in the United States; and #2 in a state legislature that has put us in the fiscal mess we are in.

One of Golden’s  solid moments during the debate came during a discussion of support or non-support for drilling for oil and gas, and an oil pipeline, all elsewhere in the United States. Unfortunately, although that argument showed a clear difference between Golden and Gounardes that had nothing to do with being a New York State Senator or with anything before the State Senate in New York. Another bright moment came near the end when State Senator Golden said that he was a supporter of religious freedom; and that he was unequivocally Pro-Life.