New York Democrats criticized Bruce Blakeman on Saturday over his defense of President Donald Trump's Syracuse rally, renewing their attack on the Republican candidate's alliance with the president in the final days of the governor's race.
The party highlighted an exchange from a Newsmakers interview in which Blakeman was asked whether appearing onstage with Trump had helped Gov. Kathy Hochul's argument against him.
“The president wanted to come to Syracuse,” Blakeman said, according to the party's statement. He said Trump wanted to visit a Central New York community where people from across the state could gather to see him.
“Listen, any time a president comes to visit any city, it's exciting. It's good,” Blakeman said.
The interview, posted Friday by ABC50 InformNNY, features NewsChannel 9 reporter Andrew Donovan speaking with Hochul and Blakeman ahead of Tuesday's election. Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, is challenging the Democratic governor.
Parties differ over the rally's political value
State Democratic Party spokesperson Addison Dick argued that Blakeman's campaign was focused on Trump rather than New Yorkers. The party also pointed to earlier news reports describing local Republicans' reluctance to attend the Syracuse event and concerns about its effect on other GOP candidates.
Trump rallied with Blakeman in Syracuse on Oct. 9. In its Oct. 19 examination of Blakeman's campaign strategy, City & State reported differing Republican views on whether the close alliance would help him win statewide.
Blakeman told that publication that Trump's appeal for his supporters to back him was aimed at bringing those voters to his campaign. He also said he was seeking support from independent voters and Democrats he described as commonsense.
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