More On 99th: Cheap Shots On Military

The above photo is of New York State Assemblyman Willis Stephens giving the keynote address on Memorial Day for VFW 672 in Putnam County two years ago.

Maybe he can explain to that VFW what the following is all about.

Supporters of incumbent Republican Assemblyman Willis Stephens sent the following letter in a disgraceful attempt to attack the military record of conservative Republican challenger Greg Ball in the 99th Assembly District.

Ball naturally responded and defended himself.

My litmus test on such political chess games is how forthcoming the one assailed is willing to share the content of the original attack, since it is not uncommon to create such political attacks against oneself to draw attention to a less than tasteful opponent.

One has to play devil's advocate when doing surgery on such hardball politics.

Of course, such attacks are also designed to prompt doubt in an opponent and Team Stephens has taken the desperate measure to cast doubt upon someone who could yet be called upon to serve in the military.  That's an insult to veterans, many reservists, many military personnel in discreet capacities and all the soldiers overseas.

To time such an attack right before Memorial Day either means Willis Stephens is prepapred to reveal a disturbing revelation about Greg Ball or this lawmaker's crew is guilty of an empty political bluff.

Greg Ball sounded to me on the level -- and the letter from Willis Stephens' supporters does not.  It's a cheap shot, full of disgusting inferences and Greg Ball's response is understandable given the nature of the attack.

It's one thing to expose someone dishonestly representing his or her military record.

It's another thing to go after Greg Ball's military record on innuendo, as the people supporting Willis Stephens are obviously doing with impunity.

There isn't a story here, except Willis Stephens should publicly deny having anything to do with the letter or take responsibility for this cowardly attack.

Fr

Comments

[Jacob]

This letter is disgraceful.

Stephens deserves to lose and he will.

With young conservatives like Greg Ball and Mark Molinaro, Republicans may actually have a chance at changing the system.

don't strain anything patting yourself on the back there, Marcus.

Oh please. If anything, this is a cheap shot by a desperate candidate. There is no proof that Stephens or any of his people had anything to do with this. Until you have proof Stephens was involved, why not denounce the people that wrote it and ask them if they are so adamant in their feelings and are true Stephens supporters to come forward publicly and take responsibility rather than pointing irresponsible fingers.

You have guys like Lopez,Molinaro,Santiago and Ball all looking to make serious changes in Albany. Not right away but it will come.

Young and vibrant politicians will be the future of this Party. They're charismatic, courageous, compassionate and most importantly, CONSERVATIVE. Born out of Ronald Reagan’s GOP these guys know what it means to be a Republican and they recognize that ever since the days of George Pataki the Albany establishment has taken the New York GOP in the wrong direction. Perhaps it’s because of the fact that they are unafraid to appropriately place blame on New York’s “Rockefeller Republicans” like George Pataki, et al. that they have come under such harsh attack.

nothing will change until the old man, old guard mentality frees this party. not every politician is going to be over 50 and not every one is going to drink your kool-aid. wake up and smell the revolution.

[GUT-C]

Willis Stephens is an entrenched liberal career politician who has done nothing for New York or the Republican Party. He promotes an agenda that is more in line with Ted Kennedy than the people of the 99th Assembly District. Greg Ball will bring the much needed CONSERVATIVE change.

Wow, you must be such a fan of Greg Ball's that you take the words literally right out of his mouth! The irony is, that it is Greg Ball that has the personal connection to the Kennedy family and has stated on the record that it was watching this family that showed him just how well power could be used. Need I say more?

[Barbara Del Duca]

Where do you stand on Patterson Crossing project?

Hey, give it up. We all know Willis Stephens is a sleaze. Dodged a bullet with Michael Boxley's "friend". He's a con artist and Greg Ball should be praised for taking him down.

enough with the double talk.

the bottom line:

willis stephens is a LIBERAL who's voting record is to the left of bichard brodsky!

greg ball is a CONSERVATIVE who is proud to call himself a republican and has the courage of his convictions.

republicans in the 99th will decide who best represents THEM.

I do so love when ignorant people make the classic mistake of questioning one's voting record. Why? It's all public record. Stephens can easily prove that his voting record is very much in line with the true values of the conservative residents of his district. Who got the republican committee endorsements in this race? Oh yeah, it was Stephens. Keep throwing desperate, baseless claims around......the record stands for itself and its public.

Stephens got the endorsement of the GOP in this race because he is an entrenched incumbent. Oh yeah, do we really expect Rose Marie Panio to take a stand??? The woman is pathetic...

In this case the endorsement means nothing. This race is now up to the Republicans of the 99th.

They will see who the real Republican is and vote accordingly.

don't forget that mr. stephens employs impendence party soldier jack o'toole in his office. just like senator maltese employs the king pin, giulio cavallo, with a no show in his office.

o'toole's no show job costs the taxpayers of the 99th thousands but it secures stephens the independence party spot on the ballot.

totally sickening...

Has anyone noticed in this race that Assemblyman Stephens has remained silent on the campaign trail not uttering a word about his opponent, but it is Greg Ball that is putting out ads on "Dirty Politics?" Every point he makes on his website, in mailers to residents and in press releases is a negative shot at Stephens, and yet, he says it is "entrenched incumbent Stephens" that is running a dirty race. Pathetic. You all are right - the Republicans in the 99th will vote for the right Republican. And it won't be Greg Ball.

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

Conservative Republicans have Greg Ball.

Liberal Republicans have Willis Stephens.

Soon enough the Republicans of the 99th will let everyone know who best represents them, a conservative or a liberal.

What are we waiting for, Assm. Stephens son to take over? Puh-lease! The legacy ends now...

STEPHENS IS A LIBERAL PIG

As a veteran myself this kind of attack against a man who wore the uniform of this nation is shameless.

On the eve of Memorial Day, as Willis Stephens gets ready to head out on the "campaign trail" attending veteran's memorials, he should take a hard long look in the mirror.

[anon]

Any proof that Stephens had ANYTHING to do with this mailing? I hate to be so cynical, but it seems clear to me that the only person it helps is Ball. You may like or dislike Stephens' politics, but in my limited dealings with him, he didn't come across as stupid, and he'd have to be a blithering idiot to think this piece would be helpful. I'd bet that it was either done without Stephens' consent or, more likely, the dirty politics comes from the other side...

Thank you to the above poster. It is refreshing to know that someone out there took a moment to think that before accusatory fingers are pointed, that perhaps proof that Stephens had anything to do with this letter might be appropriate? The man has held public office for 12 years and spent his entire 50 years of life watching his family before him serve the public honorably. Honestly, he is not stupid enough to be connected with a letter that is derogatory towards veterans. His grandfather served in the United States Navy with pride during World War I. Until proof is supplied, I suggest Ball and his supporters, especially those who served our country before, point their efforts towards the person or persons truly responsible for this letter before immediately jumping to conclusions and assuming that Assemblyman Stephens had anything to do with this shameful and disgraceful letter. This weekend is a time to honor those who have put on the uniform without question. Let's remember their humility, pride and honor and not trash the reputation of a man who has also honorably served the public in a much different capacity. Those who serve to protect our freedoms should remember the phrase "innocent until proven guilty."

Agreed, we should remember and be thankful for all the men and women who have served this nation and those currently wearing the uniform including Air Force Captain Greg Ball...

[Bob Fois]

I'll repeat:

There isn't a story here, except Willis Stephens should publicly deny having anything to do with the letter or take responsibility for this cowardly attack.

Assemblyman Stephens has remained silent, partly due to the fact that he doesn't want to dignify that he has an opponent.

The other reason, I believe (in my humble opinion) is that someone gambled on Ball's discharge being less than honorable and this person didn't expect the conservative Republican to call the bluff.

One only needs to read the letter to realize that its inferences are coming from a desperate political camp.

Stephens MUST denounce the letter but instead he is running for cover. The fact that the letter might have also been written by an ally of Willis Stephens is a conversation for another day. It's another reason why the Assemblyman should condemn the letter.

It's obvious to me that Mr. Stephens has a real opponent and that the 99th Assembly District is about to be treated to a real campaign.

It's a shame that someone supporting Stephens had to be so unaccountable.