I’ve had a great week traveling around our state, with stops at Conservative Party dinners in Nassau County, Wayne County and Monroe County – thanks so much for having me speak! Tomorrow, I will be in Liverpool, NY (Onondaga County) for a press conference regarding the Party’s efforts to put the brakes on illegal immigrants getting driver’s licenses, followed by a meeting of the state executive committee.

Upstate New York is beautiful in the spring and full of wonderful places to be. Here’s the news I’ve been watching this week…

TRUMP 2020

As the Democrats push their true (and truly narrow) agenda of impeachment, President Trump set the stage for the 2020 campaign with a raucous, riveting speech in the battleground state of Florida that as usual, drew a massive crowd of supporters.

Chuck Schumer wasn’t impressed, of course – who can blame him, since he’s being outplayed by President Trump at every turn? But the President touched on a host of issues that matter to conservatives, from abortion extremism to the Second Amendment to the border crisis.

I pulled a transcript of the speech and picked out what I think are the most powerful statements from President Trump as he charges ahead into the 2020 campaign. Which one do you think is President Trump at his best? That’s the question in our new Weekly Poll – and I know I don’t have to tell you that we’ll be hearing plenty more from our President as Election Day draws closer and closer.

THE EQUALITY ACT

Have you heard of the so-called “Equality Act” targeting gender and sexuality that’s now a progressive priority in Washington? If so, you know that the name alone is one of the greatest acts of legislative and political dishonesty this country has ever witnessed. Naturally the Democrats’ aim with this bill is to undermine President Trump, but it goes so much deeper than that.

As the Daily Signal notes, this is a bill that would advance civil tyranny, not civil rights – and it would promote abortion, undermine women, and force doctors to abandon the time-honored oath to “do no harm.”

Here in New York and in other states we can see the harm this bill will do to our nation, and the cultural impact of the Democrats’ gender revolution is already horrifying and will only get worse.

You have my word that the Conservative Party will be actively engaged on this issue – stay tuned for updates!

QUICK HITS

The collusion delusion should be dead, but even some Republicans refuse to give up.

Courageous Colorado students protest the politicization of a school tragedy.

Will a ballooning helium shortage deflate the economy?

David Harsanyi opines on why Jerry Nadler’s ‘constitutional crisis’ talk is utter bull.  And Speaker Pelosi stands with Congressman Jerry Nadler   Wasn’t there a time, not that long ago, that we elected adults to Congress and not children fighting in the schoolyard.  (To be fair, in retrospect, it was adults voting then.)

Guy Benson has the latest on the Pelosi/Nadler “constitutional crisis” talk.  Devastating: Liberal Law Professor Clinically Dismantles Democrats’ Contempt Case Against Barr. 

More on Speaker Pelosi’s Equality Act:   Dems poised to push ‘Equality Act’ with cries of ‘homophobia.’

Michele Malkin shines the light on fake illegal alien families. 

The New York Sun had an excellent editorial  on the unbelievable bill the NYS (Democratic controlled) Senate passed yesterday allowing the state tax commissioner release Mr. Trump’s tax return to one of three Congressional committees.

Have the majority members of the democratic controlled NYS Senate even read the US Constitution?  The U.S. Constitution’s Fifth Amendment contains a Double Jeopardy Clause, which says that no person shall “be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb.”  A Bill passed by the democratic controlled NYS Senate , yesterday, would only allow state charges to be brought against a pardoned individual with direct ties to Trump, either through his family, their work on his campaign, or their work in the White House.   How can this bill survive a legal challenge?  When did the NYS Senate become a body that seeks to use political retribution on its “enemies” instead of a body that seeks to protect its citizens with sound solid policy?  The answer is obviously: January 1, 2019!

John McWhorter, contributing editor at The Atlantic and professor at Columbia University, says:  Don’t Scrap the Test, Help Black Kids Ace It.

Every once in a while, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, shocks the Left with a decision they never expected.  Tuesday night was one of those times; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals sides with White House over asylum policy. 

For those who do not watch CNN, we missed a “debate” that was posted yesterday where a CNN contributor – former NYC Council Speaker — actually said ‘when a woman gets pregnant, that is not a human being inside of her,’ and went on to say that Rick Santorum – also a CNN Contributor — was distorting facts.  Both were appearing on Chris Cuomo’s Prime Time where Chris Cuomo sided with Christine Quinn.  Quinn and Cuomo kept attacking Santorum because of the Roe v. Wade decision which is the law of the land.  (It isn’t as if the US Supreme Court never made a really bad decision and overturned itself. )  Watch the segment here ; it will be a stark reminder on just how far the pro-abortionists’ have degenerated.   

Trump derangement syndrome continues; first California, now New York State. 

Tammy Bruce opines in the Washington Times on how the left targets American history, statues and heroes. 

Betsy McCaughey opines on ‘Medicare for All’ is a job-killer for America’s largest industry. 

Robert Knight writes about a party lurching ever leftward. 

Star Parker opines on the Suicidal Equality Act of 2019. 

There is a major split within the Kennedy Clan…over vaccines. 

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams. 

The Beat takes a realistic look at rent control in New York City.  The Left strongly supports this 1940’s “housing emergency” that has not resolved any such problem and they are looking to make rent control statewide.  Beware. 

North Carolina State Senator Don Davis proved standing up for life is more important than standing up for your political party.  Thank you, Senator Don Davis. 

Thank you, Governor Brian Kemp, you also show that stand up for life is far more important than the threat of boycotts. 

Dems can say what they want, but facts do not lie.  Poorest Americans Are Benefiting Most from Strong Economy

One would think this Grandmother  would have watched Frozen enough times by now, that she would learn to just Let It Go.

Senator Elizabeth Warren should be reading this article  to truly understand the basis of how and why impeachment is called for in our US Constitution.  Calling for impeachment is political and was included in the US Constitution to protect the balance of power between the three branches of government.  However, Senator Warren has no basis to call for President Trump’s impeachment as President Trump has not committed a crime.  Her actions are purely political and completely misleading

Conrad Black is going to drive Sen. Warren (and a lot of other people) further into the deep end with this headline:  Trump Set Up for a Big Win In 2020. 

Moving from New York to Florida saves much more than just taxes. 

The NYS Senate is poised to pass S.221-A today and you should know it continues Governor Andrew Cuomo’s need to put convicted felons on equal footing as those who have never broken any law nor done anything the least bit detrimental to a fellow human or four-footed furry critter.  The Bill they are planning on passing lifts the lifetime ban on jury duty for convicted felons who have completed their sentencing.  Think about that for a moment:  a person who has served time in prison for breaking a (or many) law(s) will now be able to sit in judgement of another person accused of breaking the law.  I wonder how many hung juries will be the result?  A 10% increase, 20%, maybe even a 50% increase, costing taxpayer’s additional money for retrials.  What about the stress on the victims when they have to relive the terror of the crime again due to a retrial?  Or what if the DA declines to try the suspect again and he/she walks free and continues to commit crimes.  There is no doubt that people deserve second chances and should not have to wear a scarlet letter around their neck, but in saying that, a convicted felon on a jury is not what those who signed the Magna Carta calling for a “jury of their peers” meant.   Our 6th Amendment gives the suspect many rights, including an impartial jury; the likelihood that a convicted felon on a jury will be impartial is zero. 

In case you missed this over the weekend, the NY Post editorial spells out the ridiculous reason New York faces a gas shortage.  Craig Stevens had a follow up Op-Ed, The deranged drive to choke New York’s natural gas supply, in today’s NY Post. 

Tom Precious is reporting that the push for driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants intensifies at Capitol   We can stop this dangerous idea!  We did in the past and we can do it again.  Sign our petition to put the breaks on driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants   Please send the link to all the contacts in your lists.  Legislators understand numbers, they see in the polls that New Yorker’s oppose this bill, but they react to stacks and stacks of paper proving that New Yorker’s do not want illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses. 

Councilman Joe Borelli sits with City and State regarding his run for Public Advocate of NYC. 

Does House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who introduced HR 5, the Equality Act in March really understand what this bill does?  Here is another example of the left,  while supposedly trying to make everything perfect is actually creating chaos and confusion when it comes to girls/women and sports.

Commissioner, not only New York City, the whole state will, unfortunately, experience the dangers.  James O’Neill: Crime reforms would make NYC more dangerous. 

Hell is too good for this man.  What kind of sick individual could do this to their child… or anyone?

The “Never Trumper’s” will be in meltdown mode when they read this; Gallup:  Trump Approval Rating Ticks Up to New High of 46 Percent .  Do you think Robert de Nero will be recovered enough by July 10 to help host the mega-fundraiser Gov. Andrew Cuomo is planning?

What?  The NY Times concedes Trump is right on border crisis and urges Congress to fulfill new WH budget request.  Read Guy Benson’s column here. 

Two adamantly different sides of the pro-life movement demonstrate in Times Square without any clashes or arrests.  This Is America; we can disagree on issues and still be civil.

Welcome to my Weekly Wrap-Up for May 3, 2019!

DEMOCRACY DOLLARS

Just when it seems we scraped the bottom of the barrel for bad political ideas, along comes Kirsten Gillibrand with this week’s ridiculous “Democracy Dollars” proposal – a plan to give each American up to $600 that could be used to support political campaigns.

Let that sink in: A politician has a plan to take money from taxpayers and then let them have it back on the condition that the money can only be spent on politicians. Unbelievable.

The plan was quickly mocked as a terrible and ridiculous idea – but we can’t ignore the fact that this is the kind of thinking that has gotten our nation into such deep fiscal trouble. So I want to take a closer look at it in our new Weekly Poll. Here’s my question for you: What would you say is the BIGGEST problem with Sen. Gillibrand’s call for “Democracy Dollars” funded by taxpayers?

THE CONGRESSIONAL CIRCUS

Acting foolishly was the favorite pastime of Senate Democrats this week, as they wasted America’s time with their ineffective, unhinged questioning of Attorney General William Barr. The Democrats were playing to the cameras, but Barr was unflappable.

House Democrats didn’t fare much better, with Tennessee’s Steve Cohen crying fowl and New York’s own Jerry Nadler shutting down debate in the left’s desperate quest for impeachment. It was a circus, though that seems like an insult to clowns everywhere.

FOCUS ON FACEBOOK

If you’re on Facebook, you may be seeing more of the Conservative Party lately – in addition to our regular posts, we have started a new ad campaign aimed at getting our message out and engaging with even more voters throughout the state. This is a particularly useful way to connect with younger, “millennial” voters, but overall our goal is to introduce people of all ages and backgrounds to the conservative principles we advocate. Our friends and supporters make outreach efforts like this possible, and I appreciate that you are part of our work!

QUICK HITS

Economy Added 263,000 Jobs in April, Unemployment Falls to Lowest Level since 1969

Trump Admin Will Protect Rights of Doctors Who Decline to Perform Abortions

A Whale of a Tale That Just Keeps Getting Weirder

Why is the NYC School Chancellor, a person whose only responsibility is the education of NY City’s children, so bent on diluting the standards of specialized schools in the name of diversity ?  If his reasoning is followed in the sports world, every professional sports team would have a diversified team with many players who are unqualified to play.  Ultimately, people would no longer go to games, once the competitive edge was lost.  Competition is good, it raises the standards, competition, whether in education, sports or life itself, makes the world a better place.  Parents, Mr. Chancellor, know what is best for their children. 

Momentum building for driver’s licenses for undocumented New Yorkers’ .  Do your part to put the brakes on the momentum in the legislature for driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants.   Sign our petition  and then please send the link to your family and friends.  We stopped it before, we can stop it again. Congressman Tom Reed has also been at the forefront of this issue.

When your taxes are out of control and a major city is the homeless capital in the nation (and your representative just happens to be the Speaker of the House who is more concerned with protecting illegal immigrants) is it any wonder that California’s population growth is the slowest in recorded history?   

No surprise here either:  Massachusetts And New York Beginning to See the Ugly Side of Minimum Wage Hikes. 

Finally, some good news is being reported by Zack Fink:  No One’s in a Hurry to Legalize Recreational Marijuana in New York   Let’s hope it is Zack’s sources are accurate, then again, a lot can change between now and when session ends, especially when King Cuomo supports recreational marijuana. 

Maybe Congresswoman Omar should try living in Venezuela and try running for office there.  Ilhan Omar Blames U.S. Policy for Upheaval in Venezuela.

Here is another elected official who is completely misguided.   It is a sad state of affairs when elected officials have no understand or respect for the value of lives.   Each and every person conceived has value and the strength to overcome circumstances thrown their way, history is full of people who changed the world despite the fact that they were “unwanted.”  Alabama State Rep. John Rogers (D) is facing justified fierce backlash for his remarks, he also needs prayers to understand why his remarks are so completely out of step with society.

The Daily Signal give us 7 big moments in William Barr’s Senate Testimony on Mueller Report. 

This Popular Lawmaker Explains How to Talk About Conservatism with Next Generation 

This new green ‘right’ is nothing but a gift to trial lawyers. 

Cuomo’s hilarious claim to not know a lobbyist when he sees one.

On this Holocaust Remembrance Day we pray for the 6 million Jewish people murdered and that never again can such an evil atrocity take place. Never.Again. May God console the families who still suffer their losses.

Chairman Jerry Kassar continues his travels in New York State; yesterday he spent time in Chemung and Broome Counties.  Channel 34, the ABC affiliate in Binghamton, NY filed this interview in which Chairman Kassar outlined his priorities for the NYS Conservative Party. 

The GOP Senate blasted the democrats far left swing in criminal justice “reform” yesterday  and introduced a series of bills  to be passed to help restore justice to the victims and the victims’ families.  If you click on the link, read about the bills, then scroll down and you can let the Senate Minority know where you stand on these proposals.  Click Aye or Nay on What is your position.

Cuomo must take the blame for numerous MTA failures: watchdog. 

Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, what is your tweet on this:  Private payrolls surge by 275,000 in April, blowing past estimates in biggest gain since July. 

Victor Davis Hanson wrote a very insightful op-ed in today’s NY Post that Congresses three newest out-spoken women – Occasion-Cortez, Omar and Tlaib – really should read. This is one of those must read and send to your liberal friends’ articles that we haven’t seen in a long time. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders sounding a little desperate:  Sanders: GOP Wants to Stop Felons From Voting to Keep Minority Turnout Down 

To all the people and organizations, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who want to dilute the strength of the 2nd Amendment, this is a must read:  MSNBC Report on Venezuela Makes Case for Second Amendment. 

Sometimes when you read a headline, you just have to laugh.  For example:  The Hill’s headline states, Barr defends handling of Mueller report  Seriously, what did they expect?  Did they think AG Barr would go before the US Senate and say, Gee, I made a mistake, on second thought, the Muller Report encourages impeachment proceedings.  Katie Pavitch writes that AG Barr clarifies Trump’s reaction to being falsely accused of something he didn’t do. 

The Beat writes about the first-rate high schools in NYC that do not require specialized testing. 

Wednesday’s with Walter E. Williams. 

If you live in Ulster County make your voice heard in today’s special election for County Executive.  Our very own County Chairman, Jack Hayes, is running.   Polls are open until 9:00 PM.  Read more about the race here. 

Today’s Washington Examiner editorial makes a very valid point:  With Exxon, NRA probes, New York’s Democrats are trying to rule people who never got to vote against them. 

Gov. Cuomo is jumping on the new green deal craze.   Does anyone still think he isn’t going to run for president or that he is just “Biden” his time?  The Wall Street Journal (Subscription required) writes that Cuomo Ready to Assist Pal Joe Biden in White House Run And what happens if former VP Biden drops out? 

Will the last person to leave, please turn out the lights? 

Spectrum News takes a look at what they think will happen in Albany before they go home:  5 Post-Budget Session Issues to Watch

E. J. McMahon writes about Embracing the OPEB iceberg.

The Daily Signal writes about the 4 Keys to the Immigration Reform We Need. 

Pompeo: U.S. ‘Fully Supports’ Venezuelan Opposition’s Move to Topple Maduro. 

Oh My, Did Pelosi and Schumer Just Say a Bunch of Nice Things About President Trump?

The Beat explains the perils of the state budget’s cash bail requirement 

Did you see this over the weekend?    Innocent victims murdered in cold blood, now the bleeding-heart liberals controlling the NYS Legislature feel they should be released from prison? It is becoming so absurd, why have any laws or prisons at all?  After letting Judith Clark out of prison and the likelihood of having this pass, the families who had the lives shattered, the children who grew up with out parents, the spouses who lost their loved ones and can only stand by their graves instead of having then stand next to them at important events, how do you explain to them, that these cold heartless people will be able to live and enjoy the benefits of  freedom?  Any legislator that votes for this proposed bill should be voted out of office at the next election.

Newsday is reporting that while NY lawmakers move left, top court moves more to the right , good news for those of us who believe that justice for victims is also justified.

News Flash for Sen. Bernie Sanders:  75% of Americans disagree with Bernie Sanders’ plan to let every US prisoner vote. 

City Hall’s ‘shut up’ argument against charter schools. 

De Blasio is still selling City Hall, with not an ounce of shame. 

The Daily Signal reports on The Inside Story of Trump’s First 2 Years in Washington. 

Robert Knight opines on rubbing salt in the nation’s wounds. 

Welcome to my Weekly Wrap-Up for April 16, 2019!

20 FOR 2020

Joe Biden has launched his 2020 campaign with the rather cumbersome theme, “America is coming back like we used to be.” I wonder if there’s a simpler way to put that – perhaps “Make America Great Again” or something along those lines. I suppose the former Senator and Vice-President must be extra careful about plagiarism.

Biden’s announcement was marred by problematic staffing, exploitation, suspicious claims, and pushback from the left, and it’s only going to get worse for him.

And “Sleepy Joe” (as President Trump has nicknamed him) is now the twentieth Democrat running for the White House – the largest field of candidates in the country’s history. There’s Gillibrand and Harris, Bernie, Beto, Buttigieg and Booker – and some you’ve probably barely heard of.

Here’s my question for you in our new Weekly Poll: Of the 20 Democrats vying to be the party’s 2020 presidential candidate, who do you think has the BEST chance of actually winning the nomination? (I’m including all 20 contenders, just in case you want to put your money on a long-shot candidate!)

THE DE BLASIO BAN-WAGON

Will there be anything left in New York worth having once Mayor Bill de Blasio is done banning things? Having gone after conveniences such as straws and plastic utensils, he’s now aiming higher – literally – by suggesting that skyscrapers should be outlawed (and hot dogs, too!). Why not just ban New York City?

Of course, all this politically-correct posturing is a great distraction from the city’s budget woes and corruption under de Blasio’s rule – rest assured, the Mayor will never seek to ban liberal political spin!

QUICK HITS

President Trump: “It’s a coup.”

The economy continues to roar.

Big Labor dropped $2 billion on midterm elections, in New York and nationwide.

Chris Churchill has a terrific sense of humor and he shows it in today’s Times Union column:  35 questions inspired by Andrew Cuomo. 

Politico is reporting this:  New York, New Jersey governors cut deal on congestion pricing while Politico is also reporting this:  Cuomo’s MTA chief denies two-state agreement on Manhattan tolling Time will tell which article is accurate.  (My money would be on Pat Foye.)

We won this battle once before, let’s win it again! 

If there is a Legislative Hearing in your area, please make every effort to attend and hopefully to make a presentation You and I both know the other side will be stacked, our voices must be heard, if you can’t attend, send letters to your local papers, do all you can to stop New York State government from taking over your health care. 

How Pelosi’s Equality Act Would Ruin Women’s Sports.

Do you think Alexandria Ocasio-Cortiz even acknowledges that this will happen  if her “brilliant New Green Deal” is adopted?

Another case of priorities up-side-down.  Do we really want a person who is willing to reward felons for selling drugs as our next president?  ”… they were ahead of the curve…” what next?  Having bank robbers becoming bank tellers?  Oh wait, JC Morgan Chase wants to hire more ex-felons despite the fact that since 1950 banks are barred from hiring anyone convicted of a crime of dishonesty or breach of trust.  Almost everyone deserves a second chance; but that second chance has to be the right fit. 

 American schools produce 100,000 illegal immigrant ‘Dreamers’ a year. This huge number must end.  Build the Wall. 

 When you read this article you really have to ask yourselves, do Legislative Hearings really matter? 

 Michele Malkin:  Beware Soros-Funded Hijacking of US Census