Young Republicans say media missed the point on Catsimatidis visit
Republican mayoral hopeful John Catsimatidis got into a couple of heated exchanges with audience members at a forum sponsored by the Brooklyn Young Republican Club, according to various media reports of the April 28 event. Politicker reported that Catsimatidis had sharp words with “multiple audience members” during the meet-and -greet event held at a Cobble Hill pub.
But leaders of the Brooklyn Young Republican Club charged that much of the reporting has been overblown. In a statement issued April 30 by the leaders, club members insisted that the meeting at Ceol, a pub on Smith Street, featured more than a verbal dustup.
“While the press corps certainly delivered some excitement and New York attitude to sleepy Monday morning news readers with their reporting, the meeting and discussion consisted of far more than a few sparks during a vibrant discussion of the upcoming election,” the statement read.
“Several issues were discussed, but those relevant to Catsimatidis’s experience in the private sector, such as job creation and training and energy, were at the forefront. It is with his considerable experience as a job creator, which, the candidate pointed out, makes him unique among his ten fellow candidates that Catsimatidis plans to make his appeal to the voters of New York City. Furthermore, he addressed the fact that it will take far more than the Republican base to win in the city. His ability to create jobs, bring real change to neighborhoods through private initiative rather than government handouts, and put forth a comprehensive vision for the city could very well attract the independents and ‘Reagan Democrats’ who will vote for a credible, electable Republican,” the statement read.