Gotham Gazette
by David King
October 1st, 2010

Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate Howie Hawkins is embarrassed for the state because of how far into the gutter Andrew Cuomo and Carl Paladino have taken the governor’s race. He thinks it is time for them to get their own reality television show.

“What is this, the ‘Real Candidates Of Erie County’?” Hawkins is quoted as asking while watching the confrontation between the New York Post’s Fred Dicker and Paladino.

“Actually, the constant bickering reminds me more of Jersey Shore. Maybe Cuomo should hire Snooki as his press officer. That’s about the level we’re at now,” Hawkins is further quoted.

The release goes on to tout Hawkins’ “Green New Deal” that includes a job program he says will put New York’s 800,000 unemployed back to work.

“Both want to cut public spending and services in order to keep tax breaks for the wealthy,” said Hawkins of Cuomo and Paladino. “All that’s left to argue about is ‘who’s the bigger man?’ — and the media’s falling for it. Given the chance to debate, I can provide New Yorkers with a competing vision, my prosperity plan vs. their austerity plan.”

Hawkins had a press conference on Thursday in Albany to demand that he be included in debates.

“Cuomo and Paladino whine about the so-called ‘budget crisis’ but won’t even mention the Stock Transfer Tax. Andy and Carl’s hot tub reconciliation will come after Election Day, when they’re toasting champagne glasses with Wall Street banksters.”