Faso: “… excessive polarization in our country”
KINGSTON – Congressman John Faso (R-Kinderhook) dismissed his critics and vowed victory for Republican candidates at a GOP fundraiser Sunday afternoon in Kingston.
“There is, no doubt, excessive polarization in our country,” Faso said. “The other side is very energized. They are determined to reverse the outcome of the 2016 election; that’s what this is really about, folks, when you really cut to the chase. The Democrats, if they win control of the House of Representatives, the very first item on the agenda, is going to be impeachment,” the Congressman said, referring to efforts to unseat President Donald Trump, who assumed office with Faso in 2016.
“They haven’t produced any particular thing that can be shown as an impeachable offense, or anything close to it,” Faso added. “Excessive tweeting is not an impeachable offense, last time I looked,” he laughed.
Faso told the party faithful that Republicans should talk to Democrats to find common ground.
“We get this, but unfortunately, so many people on the other side, they preach tolerance, but they are the most intolerant people, if you don’t agree with them, and subscribe to everything they want.”
Faso wears the biggest target on his back nationwide, said Roger Rascoe, Ulster County Republican chairman, noting the seven Democratic adversaries vying for nomination to challenge Faso next November.
Faso distanced his opponents from traditional conservative values.
“They are on the far-left, and the far-far-left,” Faso said. “And it is remarkable, the things they are saying. Medicare for all is one of their arguments. They would jeopardize the solvency of the existing Medicare system by bringing everybody into it, which simply wouldn’t work.”
Rascoe voiced support for his fellow Schoharie chairman, Chris Tague, running in a special election on Tuesday, April 24, for an open seat in the 102nd State Assembly District. Democrat Aiden O’Connor Jr. and third-party Wesley Laraway also seek the position, vacated by Assemblyman Pete Lopez when he became regional EPA director for the Trump administration.
Faso was joined by State Senator George Amedore, who urged Republicans to defend their legislative foothold, and take more ground in the State Assembly. “We can’t allow New York City Democrats to control Albany,” Amedore said.
