Press Center

Lee Zeldin Joins Chairman Ed Walsh's Press

Conference on Steps of Smithtown Hall

News from Lee Zeldin for Congress
10/20/08

PATCHOGUE, NY (10/20/2008; 1615)(readMedia)-- Lee Zeldin, the Republican and Conservative Party Candidate for the First Congressional District, joins Suffolk County Conservative Party Chairman Edward M. Walsh, Jr. on the footsteps of Smithtown Hall on October 17, 2008. The purpose was to voice residents' outrage about Smithtown Supervisor selling out his principles and constituents by endorsing the re-election campaign of ultra-liberal Democrat, Rep. Tim Bishop. They were joined by New York State Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Smithtown Clerk Vinny Puleo, and Smithtown Councilmen Thomas McCarthy and Bob Creighton. Chairman Walsh described some of Bishop's worst hits during the press conference, including:

1) Voting in favor of partial birth abortion

2) Supporting amnesty and hiring halls for illegal aliens

3) Voting to remove the words "under god" from the pledge of allegiance

4) Voting for the 2008 Congressional Budget Resolution, estimated to result in a tax increase averaging $4,144 per family in the First Congressional District. Additionally, an estimated 2200 jobs will be lost here as well

5) Voting to cut medicare

6) Voting 4 times against necessary, ammunition, supplies and equipment for our troops deployed overseas, including the last two times legislation was passed and signed into law (December 2007, June 2008)

7) Voting with his party 98.9% of the time, ranking him 533 out of 535, as far as being an independent voter, making him one of the least independent members in American politics

New York State Senator John Flanagan and Councilman Ed Werheim were unable to attend, although they fully supported Chairman Ed Walsh and the purpose behind Friday's Press Conference.< /p>

Zeldin, who considers himself to be a fiscally conservative Independent Republican, renewed his pledge to support an earmark moratorium. "I support to eliminate earmarks altogether until Congress finds a more responsible way to spend our money," Zeldin stated. "They are being primarily used to cater to donors, pander to voters, and change Congressional Representatives' minds on important legislation. The system is being abused.

For every good earmark there are too many other bad ones. My opponent has used earmarks as a tool to reward campaign contributors for their loyalty," citing Bishop's earmarks last year to STIDD Systems, Curtiss-Wright Corporation and TrueTech. Tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions have been made by these companies and their executives to fund Bishop's re-election campaigns. Zeldin added, "this creates a perception of quid pro quo and reeks of pay to play."

Regarding Supervisor Vecchio's endorsement, Zeldin said, "It is unfortunate that he sold out on the cheap. If earmarks are going to be his measuring stick than he should be asking for the rest of Smithtown's money. Every Congressman 'brings home the bacon.' We get less than the national average so voters obviously aren't as impressed. While I refuse to kiss the ring of those who represent the privileged past of Eastern Long Island, it is important for taxpayers to get the most out of their government and I will fight for their respect not just during election season, but also while representing them in Washington."