Julie Killian for State Senate
A WVOX Editorial of the Air
broadcast April 18, 2018
by William O’Shaughnessy, President & Editorial Director

Julie Killian vs. Shelley Mayer.  Someone on Facebook said this week that they’re both nice women.  Of that we have no doubt. But how then to explain the catfight between Julie Killian and Shelley Mayer? Granted the race to succeed the estimable George Latimer in the State Senate is a matter of considerable importance, not alone here in Westchester, but in New York State as well.  But it’s gotten downright nasty.

Here’s how we see it shaping up:  First, let’s take a look at the Democrat candidate Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer of Yonkers.  We tried hard to like her … but Shelley Mayer doesn’t have any of the grace notes of George Latimer who she seeks to replace in the State Senate.

During her brief, but undistinguished tenure in the Assembly, the Legislature’s lower house, Shelley Mayer has been almost invisible in our Sound Shore communities and in Southern Westchester in general, save her home base in Yonkers to which she clings.

In this current shouting match, she has predictably trotted out the old Democrat war horses for their obligatory blessing and imprimatur.  But her campaign is completely controlled by paid hired guns from Brooklyn, some of whom labored on behalf of such Democrat “all-stars” as the hapless David Paterson, who succeeded the “stunningly magnificent” Eliot Spitzer for another brief, chaotic interlude before Andrew Mark Cuomo restored some professionalism, intelligence and ability to the governance of our State. And we’re reminded that one of Shelley Mayer’s current handlers at one time also touted the charms of two other stellar candidates:  the disgraced state senator Malcolm Smith … and comptroller Alan Hevesi, another star in that troubled Democrat firmament in Albany.  As the distinguished Senator Smith currently resides in the Federal Penitentiary in Lewisburg, PA, he was temporarily unable to join the long list of Mayer boosters who are now speaking for her.

As you know, this seat in the State Senate, which is really your seat in the State Senate, was held for many years by “Senator Suzi” – Suzi Oppenheimer.  And no Republican, no matter how gifted or possessed of purse and resources, was able to break the Democratic Party’s grip on your Senate seat.  Over the years, the fading GOP here in the Golden Apple did field some pretty attractive and even extraordinary candidates like John Verni of Mamaroneck, an absolutely terrific fellow … and the well-intentioned (and well-heeled) Bob Cohen from Scarsdale who impressed a lot of people but could not overcome the Democratic majority in Westchester. The Republicans also put up a couple of rich guys from Rye who weren’t ready for prime time. 

Which brings us to Now.  And we’re tasked with finding someone to take the place of the graceful and articulate Mr. Latimer, our county executive, and in whom we are so well pleased. 

The choice you make could also affect the Balance of Power in Albany.

We’re for Julie Killian … who really proved her mettle during that debate staged last week by our Journal News friends at the College of New Rochelle.  The lady from Rye did very well indeed … while Shelley Mayer was scripted and predictable as she recited from the Democratic Playbook, never once straying from its ultra-liberal orthodoxy.  Clearly Ms. Mayer is one lady who paints by the numbers.

Mrs. Killian, on the other hand, showed herself to be eminently and refreshingly “Real” by bringing genuine conviction and passion to the discussion.

Listen to what this brave lady – the Republican candidate – had to say on the critical, fundamental Abortion issue.

“I don’t support partial birth abortion and abortion up to the ninth month performed by non-doctors … or ‘infanticide’ abortion. It’s hard to even think of this … but if a baby is born live, they’re able to kill it.  There’s a reason that has not passed yet in our State government.  And I think it’s horrible … it’s horrible.  I do not support those things.  I am for access to quality healthcare for everybody.  But I am not for these things.  I don’t even want to talk about it because I find it reprehensible …”

Boom!    Good for you, Julie Killian!

Listen now to her Democrat opponent Shelley Mayer:

 

“Well, I’m not sure what Bill my opponent is talking about. The Reproductive Health Act takes the provisions guaranteed under Roe v. Wade.  Nothing more, nothing greater than the current constitutional protections that apply to abortion.  We don’t have an ‘Abortion Law.’  We have a Law, the Criminal Law.  And it moves the relevant provisions that ‘mirror’ Roe v. Wade (again Roe v. Wade!) into the Public Health Law. Just like any other health procedure, it is defined under the Public Health Law.”

Brilliant. Spoken like a lawyer! But never once did Assemblywoman Mayer add to her enthusiasm and embrace of Roe v. Wade, a cruel finding that elevated lethal violence against the most vulnerable of human bodies.  Its bi-product is vulgar, violent and, as a growing number of people are now beginning to realize, really akin to permission for Murder.  The Slaughter … of the Innocents.

It’s fine to wave the banner and wax enthusiastic about Roe v. Wade if you wish… but then, we think, you’ve got to pause, reflect, take a deep breath and say – straight out – just how horrible and absolutely terrible Abortion really is.

Julie Killian did that … bravely and powerfully and sincerely. We admire her guts and courage.

Why do we focus now on the awful and unsettling Abortion issue?  Only because that exchange during the recent debate, which was completely missed by our colleagues in the public press, captures … in the case of Julie Killian … how a candidate thinks and feels.  Or in the case of Shelley Mayer: how she recites … devoid of feeling.  Or compassion.

For over 50 years we’ve covered both sides of the Abortion question … letting countless individuals get on the Radio and have at you with their sad pro-Abortion views.  (But as I approach senility, I’m’ wondering if there exists any more important issue than Life itself). 

Life in every instance.

Julie Killian gets it …

Then there was the bombshell story last week in the Daily News by respected veteran Albany Bureau Chief Ken Lovett covering two full pages and revealing that while serving as counsel to the Senate Democrats Shelley Mayer did little beyond “passing on” harassment complaints from at least two female workers in the Legislature.  Even Mayer said, “I should have done more.”  We can’t resist the observation that Killian would have raised holy hell in that situation.

Shelley Mayer’s Brooklyn handlers are also laboring mightily to tarnish Killian with President Trump. (We think the President is a lot more popular than the polls suggest). But this race to succeed George Latimer is not for a seat in the House of Representatives. It’s all about Albany.  And our State government.  And it’s all about our own backyard.

Much has been written about the “Good Old Boys” culture in Albany, at the headwaters of the Hudson.  What we’re saying today, perhaps inartfully, awkwardly and imprecisely … is that we don’t think Westchester wants to send, with all due respect, a “Good Old Girl” who has been around the tainted and tarnished corridors of power back up to Albany yet again to accommodate those “good old boys” in the State Senate.

But we do want, we urgently suggest, a woman of independence, bravery and good common sense who thinks for herself.

It’s clear that Julie Killian is the enlightened choice for the Latimer seat. 

She’s fresh, fearless and altogether very “Real” and not at all afraid to say what she thinks and believes in her heart of hearts. 

The Republican candidate doesn’t need Talking Points crafted by political handlers in Brooklyn.  She’s got a real mind.  And we’d much prefer Mrs. Killian than someone slavishly devoted to that Democrat Playbook.

In this contentious race, the Republican thinks for herself … while the Democrat paints by the numbers.

We’re for Killian.

This is a Whitney Global Media Editorial of the Air.  This is William O’Shaughnessy.

 

 

William O’Shaughnessy, a former president of the New York State Broadcasters Association, was chairman of Public Affairs for the National Association of Broadcasters in Washington.  He has been a point man and advocate for the broadcasters of America on First Amendment and Free Speech issues and is presently chairman of the Guardian Fund of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, the national charitable organization.  He is also a longtime director and member of the Executive Committee of the Foundation. He has operated WVOX and WVIP, two of the last independent stations in the New York area, for 56 years as president and editorial director.

He is the author of “AirWAVES” (1999) … “It All Comes Back to Me Now” (2001) … “More Riffs, Rants and Raves” (2004) … and “VOX POPULI: The O’Shaughnessy Files,” released in January, 2011. He has also written “Mario Cuomo:  Remembrances of a Remarkable Man,” a tribute to his late friend Governor Mario M. Cuomo which has just been published.  He is currently working on his fifth book for Fordham University Press, another anthology.

 

Contact:

Cindy Gallagher
914-235-3279
cindy@wvox.com