Rob Astorino must have Andrew Cuomo more worried than we thought. How else to explain two just-released attack ads suggesting the Republican is a bigot?
One is called “Contempt.” It describes Astorino as the only county executive found “in violation of anti-discrimination laws.” The other, called “Die Hard,” plows the same ground but quotes The New York Times: “Die-hard resistance to civil-rights laws didn’t work out for the South half-a-century ago, and it won’t work now.”
Both conclude with the same kicker: “Rob Astorino, so far right, he’s wrong for New York.” Which echoes Cuomo’s earlier declaration that some people have no place in New York — and reflects his preference for labeling opponents “extremists” so he doesn’t have to debate his record.
These new ads are rooted in the ongoing effort by the Obama administration’s Department of Housing and Urban Development to force Westchester to comply with a 2009 consent decree over alleged housing discrimination. Basically, HUD is trying to seize control over Westchester’s local zoning — and it’s imposing huge fines because Astorino has rightly resisted.
Never mind that HUD has never proved any actual discrimination. Indeed, Astorino notes Westchester is the fourth-most-diverse county in New York and has higher percentages of African-Americans and Hispanics than Manhattan.
In response, Astorino has challenged Cuomo to a public debate. “I’ll defend the communities you are debasing, and you can defend the bureaucrats at HUD…and the charges you make in your ads.”
How about it, gov?