Paladino blasted at Pride Agenda's fall dinner

It should come as little surprise those who spoke at the Empire State Pride Agenda's annual fall dinner last night blasted Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino. The Buffalo millionaire's own words remain his worst enemy, but Gov. David Paterson, New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Pride Agenda executive director Ross Levi were among those who took the firebrand to task.

Paladino goes there with the gays

It was only a matter of time before Republican New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino went there with the gays.

The controversy over comments he made to a group of Hasidic rabbis in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on Sunday, Oct. 10, continues to rage—everyone from New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to GOProud co-founder Chris Barron have soundly condemned them. The Tea Party-backed provocateur obviously seeks out any opportunity to drop verbal bombshells to further the ridiculous spectacle his campaign has become. It is important, however, to provide some context to this truly unfortunate story.

Andrés and I were among those fortunate enough to attend Andrew Hertzberg and Andy Rollman’s wedding in the lobby of the old Hecht’s Department Store in downtown Washington, D.C., on Sunday. Andrew’s 89-year-old father proudly gave his son away to his husband inside the former Hecht’s Department Store. And this simple act of love, which ironically took place hours before Paladino spoke to the Williamsburg rabbis, brought nearly everyone to tears.



Andrew’s father could obviously teach Paladino a thing or two.

New Yorkers throw the bums out

Both the Daily News and the Post yesterday urged New Yorkers to go to the polls and ‘throw the bums out,’ and they did just that.

Gustavo Rivera trounced scandal-plagued Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. [D-Bronx] by a 67 to 28 percent margin. Espada remained defiant after he conceded to Rivera. “Understand I am not quitting anything,” he told supporters at a Bronx bar as the New York Times reported. “As I go to sleep and wake up re-energized, I am ready for a new fight.”

Espada’s ‘new fight’ may very well come separate courtrooms as he continues to defend himself against allegations he siphoned $14 million from the Soundview Health Center and questions about whether he actually lives in the district he represents in Albany. He is not the only politician, however, New Yorkers sent packing last night.

Francisco Moya easily defeated disgraced former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate [D-Jackson Heights] in a race to fill a vacant Queens Assembly seat. Tim Kennedy defeated incumbent state Sen. Bill Stachowski [D-Lake View]. And in arguably the most surprising result of the night, Buffalo developer Carl Paladino trounced former Congressman Rick Lazio to secure the Republican gubernatorial nomination. The insurgent will square off against Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in November.