It’s Stefanik’s little lies you should worry about

Primary is over so when will the first attack ads appear?

By Ken Tingley

The question was simple and logical, but one I had never been asked before: “What was my first impression of Elise Stefanik when she ran for Congress?”

“Polished,” I began. “She seemed smart enough and had done a good job memorizing her talking points, but I didn’t know what she stood for. I didn’t know why she was doing this. And I don’t think that ever changed over the past eight years. I still don’t know what she stands for or what she really believes.”

After four terms in Congress, it might be time for voters to get that question answered.

It might be time to evaluate what has she done over those four terms to make our lives better. She is no longer the fresh new face promising bipartisan solutions to complicated problems. Unfortunately, she has become the opposite. She has contributed to the political divide in a region where even the most ardent Democrats are right of center.

It’s the simple things that should bother voters now.

When she was campaigning initially, she said she was for term limits and if elected, she would not stay longer than five terms.

But when Maury Thompson of The Post-Star asked her if this was her last congressional race, she refused to answer. She said she was too focused on the current race. The real reason is she is too focused on her own blind political ambition.

Rep. Stefanik is not unique in that regard. Professional politicians regularly break their promises. But sadly, she has boldly and regularly disregarded the truth and propagated falsehoods.

North Country Public Radio has been one of the few media outlets left that still hold her accountable. After the FBI seized files at former President Donald Trump’s home in Florida, Rep. Stefanik said federal law enforcement agencies have been politically weaponized against Republicans.

NCPR pointed out she offered no proof, adding that the head of the FBI was appointed by Trump and that no one had provided evidence President Biden had directed the FBI to search Trump’s home.

If there is politicizing going on here, it seems like it is Stefanik’s doing.

“As the American people know, unfortunately, this is the same agency leadership that protected Hillary Clinton, James Comey and continues to protect Hunter Biden. The same leadership that perpetuated the false Russia hoax for years,” Stefanik said last week.

NCPR pointed out the FBI investigated Hillary Clinton. In fact, Comey’s announcement of an ongoing investigation of Clinton right before the 2016 election may have given the presidency to Trump. And Hunter Biden continues to be under investigation for his activities abroad.

Before the 2018 campaign, The Post-Star editorial board asked both candidates to pledge not to lie. Stefanik never took the pledge.

Now, there is no editorial board at The Post-Star and it is the voters who have to hold elected officials accountable.

That is becoming more and more difficult.

The Post-Star reported last week that Stefanik said she had held nearly 2,000 events and constituent meetings in the district over her four terms. The newspaper let that figure stand without debate.

If you do the math that means Rep. Stefanik has had 1.3 events for each of the 1,335 days she has been in office. That includes Christmas, Easter and every day she has spent in Washington.

That seems rather unlikely.

Is she really from Willsboro?

Will she not lie?

Will she break her pledge and run for a sixth two-year term?

Has she really hosted 2,000 events?

If you can’t be honest about the small stuff, there is no way she should be trusted on important issues like protecting democracy.

Rep. Stefanik continues to hold tele-town hall meetings rather than open forums. WAMC radio reported last week that phone calls for Stefanik’s tele-town hall meetings are typically screened and in the last one every individual that spoke supported Congresswoman Stefanik. Only first names and towns of the callers were announced by the moderator.

WAMC also noted no questions were asked and there were no comments made about the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling and not one question or comment about the January 6th committee hearings.

That’s rather odd.

But then again, when you consider her lack of candor throughout her eight years in office, it makes all the sense in the world.

Rep. Stefanik is not from here, does not understand her constituents here and has been using her office as a stepping stone to get somewhere else.

Attack ads

It might be interesting to note how long it takes Rep. Elise Stefanik to attack the winner of Tuesday’s Democratic primary.

In 2020, an attack ad came out the day after Tedra Cobb won the race as her opponent.

Thanks to all

My wife and I want to thank all of you that reached out with your support and encouragement after my column about her on Monday. Of course, it is not surprising. This community has always been about being a good neighbor.

Thank you all again.

Farewell column

Former Buffalo News editor Margaret Sullivan wrote her final column for the Washington Post this week and said news media faces its greatest challenge in covering Trump in the next presidential election.

She added this quote that seemed especially important:

“As Edward Luce, associate editor of the Financial Times, tweeted this month: “I’ve covered extremism and violent ideologies around the world over my career. Have never come across a political force more nihilistic, dangerous & contemptible than today’s Republicans. Nothing close.”

Tweet of the Day

Krista Sparks @KristaSparks95

@EliseStefanik @SchellerforPA