Columbus Day

Columbus Day is a significant holiday not only for Conservatives but for all Americans; As it allows us to commemorate the remarkable journey of Christopher Columbus and honor the contributions of Italian Americans to our nation. While it’s important to celebrate the Italian heritage of Columbus, this day has an even broader significance.

Christopher Columbus’s voyages represent a pivotal moment in world history. His daring exploration not only opened up new trade routes but also facilitated the exchange of ideas, cultures, and technologies between the Old World and the New World. This exchange laid the foundation for the growth and prosperity of the Americas.

However, it’s disheartening to witness efforts to rebrand Columbus Day as “Indigenous Peoples Day.” While recognizing the history of indigenous communities is important, we should not undermine the historical importance of Columbus’s expeditions. Just as we should not be tearing down historical monuments to appease the left; destroying history just because a selective group is upset (you can read my full press release here). Columbus Day stands as a testament to the spirit of exploration and the discovery of new horizons.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s statement on Columbus Day, 1940, hits the nail on the head: “This year when we contemplate the estate to which the world has been brought by destructive forces, with lawlessness and wanton power ravaging an older civilization, and with our own republic girding itself for the defense of its institutions, we can revitalize our faith and renew our courage by a recollection of the triumph of Columbus after a period of grievous trial.

The promise which Columbus’s discovery gave to the world, of a new beginning in the march of human progress, has been in process of fulfillment for four centuries. Our task is now to make strong our conviction that in spite of setbacks that process will go on toward fulfillment.”

Columbus Day provides an occasion to honor Italian Americans, celebrate Columbus’s groundbreaking journeys, and acknowledge world history. While we must respect all perspectives, we should preserve the historical significance of this day for future generations.

Patriots Podium Featuring Will Barclay

I had the pleasure of hosting Patriots Podium Episode #11 with Assemblyman and Republican Minority Leader, Will Barclay. Will happens to be a very good friend of mine, as well as a major asset to the Conservative Party. Listen to us talk about the major issues facing New York residents, as well as the possibility of a special session to deal with the never-ending migrant crisis. In addition, we cover parental rights, bills in the state Assembly/Senate that would undermine our 2^nd Amendment and much more!

The podcast will premiere on all of our social media accounts Monday, 10/9. However, you can view early on any of the platforms below, feel free to give us a like and share!

YouTube:              Apple Music:             Spotify:            BuzzSprout:

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

There can be no clear answer concerning a partial government shutdown that very likely will occur this weekend. As conservatives we want US obligations paid and the government running. After all, a shutdown can be construed as an abrogation of responsibility.

On the other hand, the continuing resolutions (CRs) from the United States Senate are no more than kicking the Biden/Schumer budget can down the road. McConnell to no ones’ surprise has been of zero help.

The House GOP has offered and is in the process of passing acceptable alternatives despite on occasion being internally waylaid. Although these alternatives are far from perfect, they are superior to anything coming out of the White House or the US Senate.

I am in regular contact with the many members of the House delegation from New York who carry our endorsement and win on our line.

They hear in my voice and see in my eyes the frustration that I have with this entire process. A shutdown is a bad idea. Approving CRs that give us nothing is equally bad. I think many members of the House GOP, particularly from New York, are on the right track but they need partners in government willing to stand with them against the White House and Democratic US Senate.

Readers should be calling and/or writing their federal representatives – Democrats as well as Republicans – to express their views.

McLaughlin To Receive James Buckley Award

I am pleased to announce that well regarded national political strategist and polling expert John McLaughlin will receive the Conservative Party’s James Buckley Award for years of meritorious service to the conservative movement. John, who for decades has done opinion research and political strategy for the Conservative Party, was born, raised and lives in Rockland County. As you likely know he is a senior consultant to President Trump’s re-election campaign and was also with him in 2016 and 2020. He has worked professionally as a strategic consultant and pollster for over 35 years. During this time, he has earned a reputation for winning some of the toughest elections in the nation.

The reception will be held on Wednesday, October 25^th at the Paradise Ballroom, Glen Island Harbour Club, In Glen Island Park @ Weyman Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10805 beginning at 6:30. We have an expanding group of conservative dignitaries who have indicated that they plan to attend. We will keep you informed.

For more information call headquarters at 718 921 2158.

To register on-line, you can do so here:

LEGAL MATTERS

The NYS Conservative Party is currently a Plaintiff in three legal actions. Additionally, we are non-litigants but a supporter and advisor through Plaintiffs associated with the Conservative Party & my participation in the federal redistricting case – Hoffmann v. NYS Independent Redistricting Commission. Finally, there are two potential areas of litigation that have not yet materialized that the Conservative Party will be considering joining in as Plaintiffs or through an amicus filing.

These two areas are the venue law (Chapter 475) that limits challenges to the constitutionality of the election law provisions to four counties: New York, Westchester, Albany, and Erie Counties. The second potential area would be even–year voting legislation which the Governor has not yet made a decision to sign or veto.

The cases that we are Plaintiffs in are:

• Non-citizen Voting. The appeal by the City of New York of our win has been heard. We await a decision.

• Universal Vote by Mail (Chapter 481): Papers are in; We are seeking a preliminary being sought. The return date is October 13th
• Challenge to new 9-209 canvass procedure. “Amedure vs State of New York. This is a new filing on an action we had success with last year but unfortunately, we brought to close to the election.

As our legal status evolves, I will keep you informed.

BIDEN AT THE UNITED NATIONS

Coming a week after President Biden provided the Iranian terrorist state with access to billions of dollars which had been rightfully frozen, the President’s message to the anti-American United Nations body consisted of canned comments about everyone getting along.

Nice comments that do not reflect reality – just ask any Ukrainian or Israeli.

This past week we are once again reminded that the United Nations is a wholly ineffective world body that costs the United States over $12 billion annually (20% of their overall budget) as it insults and ignores our interests at best, often outright working against American interests.

The UN spends more time voting to be officially a non-participant in world events than an active arbitrator. 

The United States should re-access its commitment to the United Nations.  At a minimum, we should reduce our financial role. While we are at it, the UN should arrange for its member organizations to pay NYC the hundreds of millions in fines that the city is owed. 

CONSERVATIVE PARTY GOES TO COURT AGAIN

The Conservative Party has joined the GOP, NYS Republican Members of Congress and a number of citizen plaintiffs in challenging legislation signed by Governor Hochul this past week that allows mail in early voting. You can read our full press release here:

This runs completely contrary to the NYS Constitution reaffirmed in 2021 by the defeat of a ballot proposition that essentially did the same thing.

Voters rightfully believe that paper ballots are highly suspect lending themselves to increased fraud.  The voters spoke and as usual, the Democrats and the Governor ignored them.

I will keep you informed as our action moves through the Judicial system.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ISSUE BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIVISIVE

Community protestors are now being arrested on Staten Island and other parts of the city for opposing illegal immigrant shelters appearing in their neighborhoods.

Adams and Hochul who used to talk about decisions being based on community input are totally silent as police, under orders, interfere with our constitutionally protected right to express our opposition to government dictates.

As I have said in the past the illegal immigrant crisis begins and ends with Democratic elected officials. There are no Conservatives or Republicans in office who support what the Biden, Hochul and Adams Administrations are doing on this issue.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:Bill O’Reilly, 212-396-9117
bill@novemberteam.com
September 20, 2023

Gov. Hochul’s Partisan Early Voting-by-Mail Shenanigans is Directly Repudiating the Will of Voters: New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar 

Brooklyn-NY…“Governor Kathy Hochul signed one of the most disingenuous pieces of legislation in memory into law today in a cynical bid to aid the Democratic Party at the expense of fair elections and ballot integrity in New York State. In doing so, Gov. Hochul is directly repudiating the will of the voters who overwhelmingly rejected early voting by mail in a referendum two years ago. The Conservative Party will proudly join others in challenging this new law in court on clear Constitutional grounds.

“There is no impediment to voting in New York State. Voters have ample ways to cast their ballots. But Mrs. Hochul and her ‘progressive’ colleagues in Albany, who already control every lever of government in New York State, are constantly spreading falsehoods in an attempt to engineer election results to their liking. Mail-in-voting is inherently insecure, and they know it, but Gov. Hochul and the Democrats want it so badly that they devised an intricate legislative end-around of the People themselves. The question we must ask is ‘why?’ Why would Governor Hochul and her colleagues go to such trouble to overturn the results of a 2021 state ballot initiative? The answer, sadly, is obvious. Mrs. Hochul and her party want to hold power perpetually, the voters be damned. This new law will not survive legal challenge.”

Mayor Adams Admits New York City is Being Destroyed

Mayor Adams finally acknowledged what everyone was thinking. Thousands upon thousands of illegal migrants occupying NYC is destroying it. Soon, the same will be said about New York State. 

Let’s walk that back a step. Mayor Adams, and Governor Hochul, led by President Biden, are destroying New York City. It shouldn’t go unnoticed that they are all Democrats. There is not a single Conservative or Republican official that supports Biden’s, Adams’s, and Hochul’s reckless policies. 

This is the reality New Yorkers face every day: budget deficits, unsafe streets, lack of resources, and it all comes back to a horrendous open border policy at the federal level. The situation has been aggravated by a Governor blinded by partisan politics, and a Mayor whose management style is rather non-existent. I applaud the Mayor for finally speaking out, but words are not going to solve this ongoing crisis. We must call back the legislature for a special session to revoke New York City’s sanctuary city status. 

Patriots Podium Episode #9 Jason McGuire

On episode #9 of Patriots Podium, I had the pleasure of being joined by one of our own, Rev. Jason J. McGuire. Jason is the Executive Director of New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation (NYFRF) and NYFRF’s affiliated organization, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms. In addition, he holds the position of Livingston County Conservative Party Chairman. During our episode, we dive into critical issues facing our state such as the pro-life movement, parental rights, religious freedoms, females facing biological men in sports and bathrooms, and much more! Jason is a major asset to the Conservative Party and we are thankful for everything he does; whether it is running social media accounts, putting together CPPAC, speaking at events, doing interviews, and recently hosting the State Conservative Party’s table at the Syracuse State Fair. 

The podcast will premiere on all of our social media accounts Monday, 9/18. However, you can view early on any of the platforms below, feel free to give us a like and share!

YouTube:              Apple Music:             Spotify:            BuzzSprout:

Special Election in Queens

This past Tuesday, September 12th, Conservative and Republican endorsed candidate David Hirsch ran in a special election in Queens for Assembly District 27. In the end, we came up a bit short in an overwhelmingly blue district, outspent 18-1, with approximately only five weeks to campaign. The results were 55-45% in a seat that has a total enrollment of 62,961 active voters, with almost 38,000 registered Democrats to approximately 11,000 Republicans. The conservative vote, as usual, as a percentage of our enrollment was very high. In fact, 6% of the total vote in the 27th Assembly District was on the Conservative Party line.

I’d like to acknowledge and thank David for running a great campaign as it is no easy task, especially under the circumstances of a special election with little time to prepare. David put everything he had into this race, with hopes of changing his community for the better. Everyone around David felt the energy of the campaign, which helped attract volunteers from all over the state. In addition to Conservative Party members helping on the ground, I was one of the people who had the opportunity to go door to door there, with our Director of Operations, Andrew Davis. The overall consensus, and attitude of voters was encouraging. As you can imagine, the main issues facing the people of this district, as well as many across the state, are illegal immigration, public safety, and the economy. 

Local Councilwoman Vickie Paladino, who is a firebrand on these issues, was actively involved in Hirsch’s efforts in the overlap in her district, which David won by a large margin. The Republican Assembly Campaign Committee, together with many other elected officials, also played a huge role in David’s campaign such as members of the Assembly, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, and many more. We might not have won but it was an excellent joint effort. I wish David the best of luck in his future endeavors and congratulations to all involved.