Mayoral hopeful John Catsimatidis weathers stormy questioning from Brooklyn Young Republicans Downtown — Finishes on an upbeat note of camaraderie and civic pride at Bay Ridge Memorial Day Parade fund raiser
In a meeting at the Ceol Pub on Smith Street, for the first time the President of the Brooklyn Young Republican Club, Glenn Nocera, and a representative of the rival Brooklyn Young Republicans, Frank Morale, were both in the house for the appearance of Republican mayoral candidate — John Catsimatidis. Being a gracious host for the event, Glenn Nocera introduced his counterpart representative, whose Brooklyn YRs is the officially recognized Young Republican organization by Brooklyn GOP Chairman Craig Eaton and the Kings County Republican Party; and the gathered members of the Brooklyn Young Republican Club gave the recently elected Vice President of the competing Brooklyn YRs a hearty welcome.
A similar warm welcome was given to the Brooklyn Young Republican Club’s marquee guest, John Catsimatidis, after he was introduced by Bay Ridge and Staten Island Assemblyperson Nicole Malliotakis. Things continued to go smoothly for the Republican billionaire candidate throughout his short but pithy presentation; after which, as he and his advance team had promised, he opened the floor for questions with a tag line something like — make them tough, I’ll answer anything you want...
Based upon the commentary by President of the Brooklyn Young Republican Club Glenn Nocera and the Catsimatidis advance-people before the candidate arrived, as well as John Catsimatidis’ own opening remarks, the billionaire candidate for the Republican nomination expected some degree of confrontation from the crowd of Brooklyn Young Republicans and their guests. More than that, the candidate, who referred to himself in front of the group as the “Catman,” indicated that he would be ready for whatever came his way and solicited tough questions.
The more intense questioning started with an obviously libertarian leaning questioner, who wanted to know why the government needed to have its hand in his pocket to bail out victims of last year’s non-hurricane “Sandy.” John Catsimatidis fielded that along with three of four follow ups on the same theme, with patient and well reasoned explanations that large scale disaster relief is part of what government does to take care of all of its citizens — especially in light of the aid that we send all around the world.
That was followed by a problematic political joust with a person that a well-known political reporter described as a “Bay Ridge Republican gadfly.” That questioner opened with a reference to the apparent split between Brooklyn Republicans, and asked whether Catsimatidis would give assurances that neither he nor his mayoral campaign would get directly involved in this year’s Republican organizational primaries. The candidate obviously expected that his quick answer that State Senator Martin Golden had made a commitment that he would be announcing his support for Catsimatidis’ candidacy after the primary on September 11th would end the discussion. However, a testy exchange erupted instead. That happened when the long-time gadfly pressed the candidate about the Brooklyn GOP leadership races, including battles over State and County Committee slates. After saying he knew nothing about it and then quibbling about being a politician, Mr. Catsimatidis pivoted and upped the ante with comments indicating that he always reciprocated loyalty for loyalty, across the board and
Finally, the president of the Brooklyn Tea Party, Frankie Russo, engaged the candidate in what evolved into a debate as to whether Catsimatidis actually had a specific program of governing to back up his campaign of “new ideas.”
>>>>> [ Apparently not seen, and previously not reported upon anywhere other than here] After the Downtown Brooklyn speech by John Catsimatidis, and the completion of the caloric question and answer period that followed; there was a short tete a tete between the old Republican gadfly at the Young Republican meeting and two members of John Catsimatidis’ advance team, which led to an exchange of handshakes between the candidate and the gadfly – followed by bear hugs back and forth. <<<<<
Mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis closed his Brooklyn afternoon by going to an event at the Salty Dog Restaurant & Bar on 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge in support of the Kings County Memorial Day Parade. The parade, which is in its 146th year, has been held in Bay Ridge for the past 20 years and is the oldest continuously run Memorial Day Parade in the U.S. Local leaders, musicians, and the Kings County Memorial Day Parade Committee have joined together for an annual fund-raiser to ensure the parade has the resources to continue. Candidate Catsimatidis joined in this effort on Sunday and commended the work of all those in attendance. The Kings County Memorial Day Parade will be held in Bay Ridge on Monday, May 27th.
20 comments:
Question:
Beside Frank Morales and Glenn Nocero were there any other people present that were actually under 40 and registered Republican at this YR meeting?
About half the crowd of about 40-50 people... so 20-25 looked to be in the under 40 set...
Just watched the video. You are being very "kind" by saying half the crowd were under 40...
And the gadfly got fat. LOL
You just watched "a " video... there were plenty of young people at the event...
...and everybody's gettin' fat 'cept Mama Cass...
Being that there was a high profile speaker at the event, it was expected that there would be a number of people who are not in the under-40 age bracket.
The Stones are always playing in my head Paint It Black and I was Born to be Wild and we went on many Magic Carpet Rides and we had no Sympathy For The Devils and Mama Cass she was there on the ride, Those were the Days My Friend. Great Job Gale
There is a difference between "a number of people who are not in the under-40 bracket" and almost NONE at a supposed YR event. Where are the younger Republicans?
"Those Were the Days" were English lyrics for a Russian tune. New to Apple, Paul McC. and John L didn't want ykw to do it, so they gave it to Mary Hopkin and she made it an Apple hit.
BACKFILL: I have been informed that there was at least one additional confrontation between Catsimatidis and a member of the Brooklyn Young Republican Club Sunday afternoon. This incident occurred generally hidden in plain sight, because it was ignored by of almost all of the media who were covering the Brooklyn YR Club presentation of mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis at Ceol on Smith Street.
Joseph Hayon, a registered Republican, now active with Jews For Morality and the mayoral campaign of Erick Salgado, had been trying to ask Catsimatidis a question throughout the question and answer session following the candidate's speech. When the Q&A was suddenly shut down by Catsimatidis' handler Rob Ryan, Hayon went up to speak to Catsimatidis directly. Before Ryan was able to intervene, face to face, Hayon asked John Catsimatidis a simple and straight forward question -- "Do you support gay marriage ?" After a couple of non-responsive comments about the law and peoples rights, mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis told Hayon that his position was made clear in his City Hall Announcement speech, which Hayon was free to watch on Youtube. When Hayon then asked Catsimatidis can't you just tell me what your position is man to man, Ryan intervened by pushing passed Hayon with the candidate and a brusque, "He already answered the question."
How could Cats answer man to man when talking to Hayon?
Hahahahahaha
Somehow I think Carion has a shot in November on the Independence line.
r u serious :-()
either u r pretending 2 b craig eaton :-(
or u r in carrion's partido de la raza unida :-/
“Waking the Sleeping Giant” my ( ! )
Did this "Rob Ryan" have to do a perpwalk out of his RIOC office in June 2003? If it is, then somebody needs to ask him what happened to all of that. Doesn't Catsimatidis vet any of his campaign staff? Or is that a "Loyalty" thing too?
The Republican Party knows with Catsimatidis as Mayor
We’re In The Money and with Carion it will be Brother, Can You Spare A Dime. Catsimatidis has Bob Dylan backing and The Times they are A - Changin and he will defeat Quinn because All She Wants To Do Is Dance and she has Tom Robinson backing with Glad to be Gay.
An Ave U irregular told me over a few drinks that he likes the gadfly but doesn't think he has any cred as a republican when he writes such pro-hayon "bs" or lies like the one abve about the number of guests under 40.
After my 3rd drink I came to realize he was on to something.
UPDATE: Sunday’s event as described by its host organization, The Brooklyn Young Republican Club
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“Republican Mayoral Candidate John Catsimatidis Speaks To The Brooklyn Young Republican Club.”
Posted: Apr 30, 2013 12:40 pm
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Sunday’s meeting of the Brooklyn Young Republican Club drew a crowd eager to meet Republican mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis, and as we read about the “heated exchanges” that were reported in the media, those of us in attendance enthusiastically listened to the businessman-turned-candidate discuss what he brings to the table and how he plans to win in November.
While the press corps certainly delivered some excitement and New York attitude to sleepy Monday morning news readers with their reporting, the meeting and discussion consisted of far more than a few sparks during a vibrant discussion of the upcoming election. Several issues were discussed, but those relevant to Catsimatidis’ experience in the private sector, such as job creation and training and energy, were at the forefront. It is with his considerable experience as a job creator – which, the candidate pointed out, makes him unique among his ten fellow candidates – that Catsimatidis plans to make his appeal to the voters of New York City. Furthermore, he addressed the fact that it will take far more than the Republican base to win in the city. His ability to create jobs, bring real change to neighborhoods through private initiative rather than government handouts, and put forth a comprehensive vision for the city could very well attract the independents and “Reagan Democrats” who will vote for a credible, electable Republican.
Agree with him or not, anyone who has seen Catsimatidis speak knows that he will not shy away from tough issues, and he won’t apologize for his tremendous success in business – which has given him a big advantage going into the race. The candidate discussed the events that he holds – in lieu of fundraisers, “friend-raisers,” where voters needn’t bring their checkbooks, but only their willingness to listen and consider lending Catsimatidis their support at the ballot box. Willing to hand out criticism both to Democrats for their “all talk, no action” approach and to his fellow Republicans for their failure to connect with voters – Mitt Romney’s 19% showing in New York City being an example – Catsimatidis is certainly doing his best to live up to his campaign motto, “a New Yorker for all New Yorkers.” Few candidates are more distinctively New York than John Catsimatidis, and his tenacity and no-nonsense approach could earn him our party’s nomination.
We at the Brooklyn Young Republican club would like to once again thank Mr Catsimatidis for taking time to speak to our club. Your presence was greatly appreciated.
From the Brooklyn Young Republican Club Board of Directors.
UPDATE: Sunday’s event as described by the Catsimatidis Campaign Staff
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“Mayoral Candidate John Catsimatidis Addresses Brooklyn Young Republican Club”
Email: Apr 30, 2013 7:20pm EDT
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On Sunday, April 28th, independent Republican Mayoral Candidate John Catsimatidis, addressed the Brooklyn Young Republican Club at Ceol, on Smith Street in Cobble Hill.
Catsimatidis spoke about his experiences growing up on 135th street in Harlem, and building his successful businesses, which have creating thousands of jobs. He stated that the primary responsibility of the Mayor is to keep NYC safe and secure. Catsimatidis also shared his goal to bring the World Fair to NYC and all five boroughs, which would create jobs and increase tourism.
Before taking questions, he concluded his remarks by speaking about his unique ability to create a winning coalition in November by uniting Republicans, independents, and Reagan Democrats.
There was no "perp walk" --- According to news reports at the time, it was in February 2003 that Mr. Ryan was suspended from his duties; and "Safety Officers" escorted him from the RIOC offices.
What happened in June 2003 --- on June 17, 2003 the RIOC Board discharged Robert H. Ryan as its president and CEO.
As to what vetting of Rob Ryan was done by the Catsimatidis Campaign, I don't know.
What makes you think I'm a "gadfly"?
As to the estimates of who's "under 40" --- a good friend of mine is 52 and he looks under 40 to me.
Btw, after my 3rd drink I often come to realize something.... It's time for my 4th drink.
Thanks for all the news
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