Republican defends Democrat's comment

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Wed, Mar. 22, 2006
Republican defends Democrat's comment

By Michael Gormley
Associated Press

ALBANY - The state's highest ranking Republican lawmaker on Tuesday agreed with Democratic candidate for governor Eliot Spitzer on the Upstate's dire economic straits - a condition Spitzer described as being similar to Appalachia.
But Gov. George Pataki, in his first comments on the week-old issue, called Spitzer's comparison an "insult" to upstaters.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno's comment came as other Republicans were trying to make Spitzer's comparison stick as a political gaffe that insulted Upstate - similar to Democrat Edward Koch's comments 20 years ago that helped sink his candidacy for governor.

GOP candidate for governor Bill Weld, for instance, said Spitzer created an image of poverty-stricken people that is not only inaccurate, but also will turn businesses away.
(snip/...)

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/nation/14156957.htm