ALBANY — Liberal standard-bearer Alec Baldwin launched a Twitter tirade yesterday at New York’s top Republican, who earlier called out the sitcom star for pushing a new millionaires tax.
In a string of tweets yesterday, Baldwin attacked Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos for telling Baldwin this week to butt out of the debate over raising taxes.
“Only a Nassau County Republian tool like Dean Skelos could drag my name into a debate on state income tax,” Baldwin tweeted to his more than 477,000 Twitter followers the day after Skelos’ shot.
Skelos (fewer than 1,000 Twitter followers), who says a New York tax on million-dollar earners would drive jobs to other states, tweeted back, calling Baldwin a “hypocrite” for being a TV pitchman for a big bank.
It all started with Skelos’ quip on the “Capitol Pressroom” radio show: “We can’t be influenced by the Alec Baldwins of the world that are just buying a $17 million condo in Greenwich Village — and he’s going to tell us that we should tax everybody else.”
Samplings of Baldwin’s bite-sized brickbats as they appeared on Twitter yesterday:
“I pay more in income txs in 1 yr than Skelos pays in 20. So what’s his point?”
“I challenge Dean Skelos 2 a Citizen’s Responsibilities Contest. Provide ur tax returns and personal itinerary for the past ten years.”
“Then let’s see who has done more for their communities.”
Skelos dragged fellow millionaires-tax opponent Gov. Cuomo (fewer than 15,000 Twitter followers) into his response.
“If @AlecBaldwin thinks I’m wrong, he must think Gov Cuomo is too since he agrees with me u can’t raise taxes on businesses, working people.”
And then: “Hypocritical @AlecBaldwin rages against corporate greed yet is a paid spokesperson for corporate giant Cap One.”
Baldwin: “C’mon Dean Skelos!! You professional distorted of facts!! Join me in a press conference. And bring your tax returns!!”
“If I had $17 million to spend on an apt, I’d use a big chunk of that to #defeatdeanskelos.”
“@SenatorSkelos I know some folks at the Wagner School when you’re ready to brush up on tax policy.”