Stefanik camp claims debate victory
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s campaign didn’t waste time claiming victory following Monday night’s 21st Congressional District candidate debate on Time Warner Cable News.
Shortly after it had wrapped, Leonardo Alcivar, her communications director, released a statement touting the “win” and criticizing the performance of her Democratic opponent, retired Army Col. William “Mike” Derrick. Green Party candidate Matthew Funiciello also participated.
“On that debate stage tonight, the people of the 21st District saw a clear contrast between the results oriented, bipartisan, and transparent leadership demonstrated by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, and the inexplicable lack of any new ideas or plans from former Republican turned Democrat Mike Derrick for the challenges we face,” he said in a statement. “In fact, for the past hour, North Country voters saw Mike Derrick repeatedly stand with the failed policies of the Obama Administration.
“For offering a strong vision of continued new leadership for the North Country, Congresswoman Stefanik was tonight’s clear winner.”
Derrick’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
While the debate was fairly low-key, one of the more confrontational moments was between Stefanik and Derrick when the candidates discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which all three candidates opposed. Derrick criticized Stefanik’s support of the Trade Promotion Authority, which supposedly “fast tracks” the TPP by allowing for trade deals to be negotiated before being brought to a straight “up or down” vote in Congress. Derrick has made this his staple issue throughout his campaign, but Stefanik called him out for confusing the TPP and TPA in a campaign ad months ago.
Funiciello said he thought Stefanik was more reserved in this debate than those in the 2014 race, adding that she seemed more “polished” on the issues. However, he said that doesn’t mean she is represents the desires of voters.
“I think she probably reinforced for (voters) that the faade of corporate politics doesn’t look good,” he said.
Funiciello called Derrick’s campaign performance “passionless,” questioning whether he really has inspired voters throughout his campaign.
Funiciello also clarified his position on a few of the night’s talking points, including broadband expansion in the district, an issue he calls his “Achilles’ heel.” During the debate, he argued that the Adirondack region doesn’t necessarily need broadband as it has always been marketed as a place outside the heavy internet connectivity, while Derrick and Stefanik argued that broadband is needed for farmers to be competitive.
He noted that he would support expanding broadband access for business and residents in the North Country.
“It’s just not ever been a primary concern of mine,” he added.
Additionally, Funiciello said he still stands by his viewpoint on livestock agriculture, which is that the district should not be as reliant on the industry. He noted that he does not think the industry should be completely eradicated, however. Rather, there should be a transition to plant-based agriculture to reduce green house gas emissions.
Funiciello said he is looking forward to the next scheduled debate, which will be held on Oct. 17 at SUNY Adirondack.
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(Editor’s note: Four daily newspapers in the North Country – the Enterprise, Post-Star of Glens Falls, Watertown Daily Times and Press-Republican of Plattsburgh – are sharing content to better cover New York’s 21st Congressional District.)
Stefanik camp claims debate victory
U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s campaign didn’t waste time claiming victory following Monday night’s 21st Congressional District candidate debate on Time Warner Cable News.
Shortly after it had wrapped, Leonardo Alcivar, her communications director, released a statement touting the “win” and criticizing the performance of her Democratic opponent, retired Army Col. William “Mike” Derrick. Green Party candidate Matthew Funiciello also participated.
“On that debate stage tonight, the people of the 21st District saw a clear contrast between the results oriented, bipartisan, and transparent leadership demonstrated by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, and the inexplicable lack of any new ideas or plans from former Republican turned Democrat Mike Derrick for the challenges we face,” he said in a statement. “In fact, for the past hour, North Country voters saw Mike Derrick repeatedly stand with the failed policies of the Obama Administration.
“For offering a strong vision of continued new leadership for the North Country, Congresswoman Stefanik was tonight’s clear winner.”
Derrick’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
While the debate was fairly low-key, one of the more confrontational moments was between Stefanik and Derrick when the candidates discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which all three candidates opposed. Derrick criticized Stefanik’s support of the Trade Promotion Authority, which supposedly “fast tracks” the TPP by allowing for trade deals to be negotiated before being brought to a straight “up or down” vote in Congress. Derrick has made this his staple issue throughout his campaign, but Stefanik called him out for confusing the TPP and TPA in a campaign ad months ago.
Funiciello said he thought Stefanik was more reserved in this debate than those in the 2014 race, adding that she seemed more “polished” on the issues. However, he said that doesn’t mean she is represents the desires of voters.
“I think she probably reinforced for (voters) that the faade of corporate politics doesn’t look good,” he said.
Funiciello called Derrick’s campaign performance “passionless,” questioning whether he really has inspired voters throughout his campaign.
Funiciello also clarified his position on a few of the night’s talking points, including broadband expansion in the district, an issue he calls his “Achilles’ heel.” During the debate, he argued that the Adirondack region doesn’t necessarily need broadband as it has always been marketed as a place outside the heavy internet connectivity, while Derrick and Stefanik argued that broadband is needed for farmers to be competitive.
He noted that he would support expanding broadband access for business and residents in the North Country.
“It’s just not ever been a primary concern of mine,” he added.
Additionally, Funiciello said he still stands by his viewpoint on livestock agriculture, which is that the district should not be as reliant on the industry. He noted that he does not think the industry should be completely eradicated, however. Rather, there should be a transition to plant-based agriculture to reduce green house gas emissions.
Funiciello said he is looking forward to the next scheduled debate, which will be held on Oct. 17 at SUNY Adirondack.
—
(Editor’s note: Four daily newspapers in the North Country – the Enterprise, Post-Star of Glens Falls, Watertown Daily Times and Press-Republican of Plattsburgh – are sharing content to better cover New York’s 21st Congressional District.)
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