Independence Day

This week, the greatest nation on earth turns 248 years old. The New York State Conservative Party takes immense pride in honoring the significance of this remarkable day in our nation’s history–July 4th. On behalf of our members and supporters, we extend our warmest greetings and best wishes for a patriotic Fourth of July. 

In 1776, at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, 56 patriots risked their lives, boldly putting forward the idea that thirteen colonies could break away from the largest empire on the planet. Two and a half centuries later, we still believe “that all men are created equal, [and] that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Every Independence Day, among the hot dogs, hamburgers, and fireworks, we remember the spirit of America and her freedom that was ignited by our founding fathers and still lives on in each and every one of us. While we sometimes take it for granted, today we remember that America is the greatest country in the world. We as a nation cherish the individual freedoms, personal responsibility, and limited government that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution gives to us. Written in 1787, and still, our Constitution stands as the bedrock of our nation, and is acknowledged around the world as a beacon of Democracy. These values have formed the America we know and love today. 

In honor of Independence Day, I ask you to renew your commitment to preserving an American legacy for the years to come. President Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, “History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid.” Today, let us teach our children how to be great Americans, striving to uphold and defend the principles that make America the greatest country in the world, because here, freedom, opportunity, and justice are not just a dream, but an attainable reality. 

As we honor the birth of our great nation, we wish every American a joyous and meaningful Independence Day. May God bless you, your families, and the United States of America.

Presidential Debate

The presidential debate last night showcased a stark contrast between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Trump demonstrated a commanding presence, exuding confidence and composure, while Biden appeared disoriented and forgetful, struggling to articulate his points clearly. This disparity highlighted Trump’s readiness and capability to lead the nation, particularly as he focused heavily on pressing issues like the economy and immigration—areas that have been sources of significant concern for many Americans.

Trump presented himself as a calm and collected leader, while still pouncing on the failures of the Biden administration and laying out his goals. In contrast, Biden’s frequent lapses and vague responses raised serious questions about his mental acuity and ability to handle the responsibilities of the presidency. Sadly, the reality is most people wonder if he will even make it to November. 

The debate also underscored the media’s apparent bias in favor of Biden. Despite his evident struggles, the media has consistently portrayed him as capable and sharp, a narrative that seemed increasingly untenable in light of his performance. Even traditionally supportive outlets like CNN found it necessary to fact-check Biden’s numerous inaccurate statements, further eroding the facade of competence that has been maintained around him. It is not possible for Biden’s Press Secretary to spin this one in Joe’s favor; it was an utter failure and not a “cheap fake” as Karine likes to call Biden’s blunders. Jill Biden, and his family, should be ashamed they are putting Biden through this. Let him retire in Delaware and live the rest of his life in peace.  

This debate may well be remembered as a pivotal moment in the 2024 election, exposing significant weaknesses in Biden’s candidacy and casting doubt on his ability to continue as the Democratic nominee. The stark contrast between Trump’s decisive leadership and Biden’s evident frailty could lead to significant shifts in voter sentiment as November approaches. The question remains, who is running our country?

You can read our full press release here:

Patriots Podium Featuring Timothy Collmer

Patriots Podium episode #25 is out now! I was pleased to be joined by Timothy Collmer, the New York Commander of the American Legion. Tim, a retired correction officer, served 21 years as an active and reserve member of the Army. He has held numerous leadership positions on his post, county, district and state level, as well as a continuing role on the national level.

The American Legion, with 2 million members, is the nation’s oldest and largest veterans organization, is a highly respected advocate in support of servicemembers and veterans, a leading advocate for a strong national defense, and an outspoken voice for patriotism and honor. The department of New York has more than 110,000 members in over 800 posts throughout the states’ 62 counties. 

I know alot of our members, and supporters, are either veterans themselves, or have family and friends that served. I hope this podcast helps veterans with information, resources, and most of all, support whenever they need it. Just an aside, you don’t have to be a veteran to get involved in the Legion! Please share and give us a like:

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Spring Reception

Our 2024 Spring Reception, held last night at the New York Athletic Club in New York City, was an outstanding success. The event saw a fantastic turnout including a distinguished array of legislators, candidates, conservative activists and dignitaries, all gathering to celebrate and reinforce our shared values and commitment to conservative principles. 

The highlight of the evening was the honoring of our longtime Secretary, Howard Lim, with the prestigious Michael R. Long Award. This award, now in its second year, recognizes exceptional dedication and service to the Conservative Party, and Howard’s contributions over the years have truly embodied these qualities. The presence of the Long family, who attended in support of Howard, added a heartfelt touch to the celebration, underscoring the deep bonds and shared history within our party.

Our reception chairman, and Bronx County Conservative Chairman, Pat McManus, led us in the welcoming ceremony; followed by the one and only, Jim Kerr, our master of ceremonies, who himself is worthy of an award. 

Christian Browne, who is one of the lead attorneys fighting the proposed “Equal Rights Amendment” gave our audience an informative update on what to expect with Prop One this November. Recently, the Appellate Court ruled to reinstate the controversial Prop One initiative to November’s ballot, which reeked of partisanship and was bereft of legal substance. Our Party, and organizations like Protect Kids NY will do everything in our power to fight against this ill-conceived amendment. You can read our press release on the ERA here.

A special thank you to our sponsors, my assistant Eileen, our Director of Operations Andrew, and our newest intern Sean, for putting together a great event as always! To everyone who made this evening memorable, thank you, and congratulations Howard!

Siena Poll

Yesterday, Siena College Research Institute put out a poll that reflects what New Yorkers already know: Governor Kathy Hochul is a failed governor and a change needs to be made at the White House. What’s happening in Albany and Washington is unacceptable.

The Governor’s lowest-ever approval rating (38-49%) should come as no surprise. New Yorkers are exhausted by the cost of living in this state and by progressive policies that have triggered an ongoing crime and migrant crisis. Voters of all parties are coming to realize that the utopian promises of the political left are a cruel ruse, just like they’ve always been. You can read the full press release here.

Travels

On Saturday, we held our State Executive Committee meeting where we recognized four Conservative Party Members for their exceptional efforts in increasing conservative enrollment in their county. In addition, they received our “Torch of Freedom” pin for registering over 50 Conservatives each! Congratulations to Gonzalo Duran (Bronx), Jason Murillo (New York), Dion Powell (Bronx), and Pasquale Lagana (Westchester).

Wednesday evening, I was happy to take the trip to Suffolk County for a fantastic reception. Congratulations to James Kevins for being honored with the Suffolk County Conservative Party’s Lifetime Achievement Award!

Today, I headed back to Long Island for the GOP’s Protect the Vote Tour regarding ballot security. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley was in attendance explaining their operations and, I have to say, I am pleased with the efforts they have made and continue to make in NYS. 

Flag Day

On this Flag Day, we proudly celebrate the enduring symbol of our nation—the American flag. It represents the values of freedom, liberty, and justice that are the foundation of our great country. The American flag has been a beacon of hope, strength, and resilience that is acknowledged throughout the world. 

Our flag has flown over countless battlefields, and still, the stars and stripes remind us of the sacrifices made by countless men and women who have defended these principles throughout our history. It has adorned our homes, schools, and public buildings, symbolizing our commitment to the values enshrined in our Constitution. 

As members of the Conservative Party, we hold dear the traditions and ideals that the flag embodies. Let us honor this day by reaffirming our commitment to preserving the meaning behind the flag, protecting individual liberties, and igniting a spirit of patriotism in our communities. Let us teach our children the importance of respecting and honoring our flag, so that future generations may continue to cherish and uphold the values it represents. 

We also remember the words of President Ronald Reagan, who said, “When we honor our flag, we honor what we stand for as a Nation—freedom, equality, justice, and hope.” Let these words guide us as we navigate the challenges of this election season and strive to build a brighter future for all Americans.

Happy Flag Day America!

Spring Reception June 20th

We are less than one week away from our 2024 Spring Reception honoring Howard Lim with the second annual Michael R. Long Award. Join us in celebrating Howard’s dedication and invaluable contributions as the longtime Secretary of the NYS Conservative Party and his unwavering commitment to the conservative movement. There will be an array of Legislators, party members, and supporters in attendance. 

The reception will be held at the historic New York Athletic Club in New York City on June 20th, from 6-8 pm located at 180 Central Park South, New York 10019. There is still time to RSVP, and if you need more information, you can call 718-921-2158. We look forward to a great event and we hope to see you there! 

To buy a ticket or become a sponsor, click here:

BIDEN/HOCHUL TWO PEAS IN A POD

One eighty-degree reversals by politicians often tell more of the story then the officials or candidate wants to admit. Albeit that is what happened on the week of June 3rd for President Biden and Governor Hochul.

Biden splashed what his administration described as a new approach to the illegal alien issue, all over the media last Monday. After allowing literally millions of illegals into the United States, either as asylum seekers or through porous border policies, the universal rejection by the American people became a very real November issue.

Suddenly, all the Biden/Hochul inaccurate criticism of Republicans evaporated with a Biden Executive Order, which Biden apparently had the authority to issue three years ago.  Rather than issuing the order, the Biden Administration took the view that everything Trump did was bad, no matter how good it had been in protecting our national security.

Biden and the Democrats will appropriately continue to receive the blame for this illegal alien crisis which has affected our security and economy. Americans have lost their trust in Biden, with Hochul doing herself no service in standing next to him during his announcement. In fact, none of her policies on this issue have been remotely helpful to her or any New Yorkers.

It should be noted that under the Biden proposal over 900,000 asylum seekers will be allowed in the U.S. annually and hundreds of thousands of older cases that would normally be adjudicated by a federal hearing officer will disappear.

Nothing will change at illegal border crossings because Biden will not devote the resources necessary to secure them.

“Remain in Mexico” or for that matter, any foreign entity for asylum seekers, was a key element of the Trump border policy.  And of course, building a wall and having the necessary number of border patrol agents was the other key  in what most felt was a solid policy.

 Congestion Pricing

Once again, Biden and Hochul share a spotlight on an incredibly unpopular policy to toll entry into most of Manhattan by vehicles. For those not familiar with Manhattan, that is 900,000 vehicles per day.

Biden stopped his EPA from doing the necessary environmental reviews prior to the program moving forward in New York. Hochul, who was 150% for it until one day she was completely against it, acted as though she was a hostage to the anti-business, anti-car, selective polluting green lobby. 

Clearly reading polls that showed in the MTA catch basin, an area of more than 13 million New Yorkers, congestion pricing was going to be a daily reminder of why progressive Democrats needed to be defeated at every level.

The many lawsuits waiting to be heard, heavily engaged Republican and Conservative Parties, a solid block of local GOP/Conservative elected officials, including Congress members Mike Lawler, Anthony D’esposito, Nicole Malliotakis, several common-sense Democrats and the entire government of the State of New Jersey made the congestion pricing cause even less tenable.

And then there was former President Trump, intimately familiar with NYC, his longtime home, stating that when elected he would put an end to congestion pricing. Congressional Democratic Leaders of Brooklyn and Governor Hochul did not need to hear more to know that this would be an issue that would hurt Democrats in November. You can read our full press release here and Trumps Truth Social message calling out the congestion pricing money grab here.

We all need to be wary. Hochul is untrustworthy and could bring the policy back if we have a less than a fruitful November.  We need to re-elect President Trump, keep the House controlled by conservatives, and win seats in the State Legislature.

Once again elections have consequences.

Spring Reception

You are cordially invited to our Spring Reception honoring Howard Lim with the prestigious Michael R. Long Award. Join us in celebrating Howard’s dedication and invaluable contributions as the longtime Secretary of the NYS Conservative Party and his unwavering commitment to the conservative movement.

The event will be held at the New York Athletic Club in New York City on June 20th, from 6-8 pm located at 180 Central Park South, New York 10019. Your presence will make this special occasion even more memorable as we recognize Howard’s exceptional service and leadership. Please RSVP by June 14th, and if you need more information, you can call 718-921-2158. We look forward to seeing you there!

To buy a ticket or become a sponsor, click here: