No debates, no events so why would anyone vote for Stefanik?
Political ads are considered free speech so you can't believe them either
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Ten years ago, Elise Stefanik was criss-crossing the broad expanse of the 21st Congressional District trying to convince voters she was part of a new generation of politician that would fix everything wrong with Washington and our federal government.
So in the heat of another re-election campaign this week, we found her in New York City shilling for vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance after his debate with Tim Walz.
That's where NBC Washington Bureau reporter Kalyn Norwood found her at the behest of its NBC affiliate in Plattsburgh to ask the question she would not answer from local reporters and broadcasters: Would she debate her Democratic opponent Paula Collins this year?
Elise Stefanik did not answer the question.
That has become typical.
"I've debated more than any other candidate since I've been in office. Multiple debates," Stefanik said.
But no debates in 2022 and none this year.
"Every cycle, I'm doing events in the district, speaking to constituents," Stefanik continued.
Unfortunately, I have not seen any of these events advertised or covered by any of our local newspapers. If there were events, they were not public.
When I went to her "Team Elise" website hoping to find a future event, I was greeted by a multitude of ways to give Stefanik money from $10 to $3,300.
It is definitely her strong suit.
She has become a prolific fundraiser and has raised over $10 million this campaign cycle which is nearly $13 for each of the 776,000 men, women and children in her district. That means a good chunk of that cash came from donors outside her district. It is what she campaigned against 10 years ago.
Still, I figured she must be speaking somewhere, so I went on to www.eliseforcongress.com website where I found a multitude of ways to dress for an "Elise event" without finding any Elise events to attend.
The website was filled with an array of "Ultra MAGA" and "Elise" merchandise. You can get an "Elise" bumper sticker for as little as $10 or a nice "Elise" pullover fleece for $50. I admit I was tempted to pick up a sleeve of "Elise" golf balls for the next time I went to the driving range.
On the website, Elise did promise "New Ideas. New Leadership. Real Results."
The new ideas seem to put our democracy at risk and the real results she often brags about were obtained through an infrastructure bill she voted against. I can't remember the last time she talked about a North Country issue or problem.
The only Elise event I can find so far is an invitation by the Plattsburgh television station to host a debate - Paula Collins accepted - but Stefanik did not respond.
In 2014, there were three October debates between Stefanik, Aaron Woolf and Matt Funiciello. Two years later there were three more debates between Stefanik, Mike Derrick and Funiciello.
In 2022, the Plattsburgh television station hosted a debate between Stefanik and Matt Castelli, but Stefanik did not show up.
Gerrymandering of the 21st Congressional District has made Stefanik less vulnerable and her prolific fundraising makes her unassailable.
That essentially leaves the people of the 21st Congressional District without representation on local issues and problems as she continues to spend most of her time working for the national GOP.
Stefanik actually no longer lives in the district. Her Schuylerville residence was gerrymandered out of the district two years ago, but she vowed to move back. As far as I know, that has not happened. When it does, she should hold a housewarming party for her constituents. It would be nice to see her reaching out to the public in some way.
Still, the fact there are no campaign events anywhere in the district should be startling to every voter.
Rep. Stefanik is not even pretending to practice democracy by reaching out to her constituency to answer their questions via town halls or debates.
But she is available 24/7 to weigh in on national political issues of the minute, just not anything that is going on in the North Country.
She obviously believes she no longer needs to tell voters personally what she believes, where she stands on the issues or what her goals are for the North Country for the future.
That's what social media is for.
I guess those were the new ideas and leadership she was promising.
False ad in Post-Star
There was a full page advertisement in The Post-Star on Thursday proclaiming in blaring headlines "Biden-Harris Raid on Medicare!"
It said they had diverted over $260 billion to pay for liberals green energy spending.
It said that Medicare Part D premiums are up over 20 percent or more."
And it thanked "Rep. Elise Stefanik for working to protect your Medicare."
So I fact-checked it.
None of it was true.
According to the Department of Health and Human Resources:
The Biden-Harris Administration is NOT reducing payments to Medicare Advantage. The Administration proposed a 1% increase in payments to Medicare Advantage for 2024 and finalized an 8.5% increase in payments to Medicare Advantage for 2023 – resulting in increased payments to insurance companies offering Medicare Advantage by nearly 10% over the last payment notice and the current proposed payment notice.
Of course what is truly astounding is that politicians are allowed to get away with these ads under the auspices of "free speech."
The Federal Trade Commission bans any type of false advertising. If an agency deems an ad untrue or misleading, it can fine a company, take it to court or even get the ads pulled.
But it does not have jurisdiction over ads that are considered protected First Amendment speech.
Essentially, most political advertising is false these days.
And it is protected.
Even if they are bald-faced lies.
Still, it would be nice if the newspaper fact-checked its own content and reminded readers to be wary of all political advertising.
Wine and chocolate
Tickets went on sale this week for the annual Wine and Chocolate event at the Queensbury Hotel.
Last year, approximately 400 people turned out for a fun evening of tasting wine and socializing and it's all for a good cause.
The Chapman Museum - yes, I am on the board - continues to make strides. It recently re-opened the upstairs at the DeLong House, continues to provide interesting programing and is continuously upgrading its exhibits on local history.
If you haven't been to the Chapman in awhile, consider checking it out.
Start by coming to the wine and chocolate event.
A finer experience
What has become an increasingly special event has "A Finer Experience" the night before the Wine and Chocolate event.
Tickets are $155 and sell out fast.
To reserve your spot, contact the Chapman Museum at 518 793-2826.
Spread the word
The prevailing philosophy at many newspapers is to not rock the boat.
Few run local editorials because they may be accused of telling readers what to think.
There are fewer examples of commentary because angry readers might cancel their subscription.
Vigorous debate is essential to a healthy democracy and over the three years Will Doolittle and I have been trying to keep that debate alive with our columns.
This week marks eight months since we began taking paid subscriptions and we have been humbled so many have chosen to support our work.
But it has never been about the money - but some money is nice - it has been about the debate and providing a service to the community. That's why there is no paywall. Anyone can read our commentary, comment on it and disagree with it for free.
We believe we have raised some important issues that were being missed and, at times, that has led to public outcry and change.
When Doolittle raised a zoning question about a new development in Glens Falls, the project not only was put on hold, but the head of the Planning Board resigned because of a conflict of interest.
So spread the word to friends and neighbors that journalism is alive and well in our region.
Ken Tingley spent more than four decades working in small community newspapers in upstate New York. Since retirement in 2020 he has written three books and is currently adapting his second book "The Last American Newspaper" into a play. He currently lives in Queensbury, N.Y.
Carrie Woerner is the exact opposite of Elise Stefanik. Carrie is one of the most accessible members of the Assembly. She is at every event, ready to listen and to help her constituents. She works hard everyday and never takes her position for granted. The difference is that Carrie is a helper and truly cares for her district and Elise is none of these things. Elise is a selfish opportunist who's only goal is power.
Why don’t we all pitch in and put a huge ad in the Post Star stating that her ad was a lie and list everything you wrote that is the truth?