George Faces 'Jewish' Problem

NYPOST.com/July 8, 2002
By Fredric U. Dicker

Independent gubernatorial candidate Thomas Golisano plans a major effort linking Gov. Pataki to the anti-Jewish ravings of leftist activist Lenora Fulani. "The question is: Does the governor repudiate her anti-Semitic statements - yes or no?" said Golisano campaign adviser Roger Stone.

"Every respectable politician in New York - Hillary Clinton, Carl McCall, Andrew Cuomo - has repudiated Fulani, but Gov. Pataki continues to cling to an anti-Semite because he needs her votes," Stone continued.

Stone said radio, television and direct mail efforts tying Pataki to Fulani - who is helping lead the governor's efforts to defeat Golisano in the Independent Party's primary - are under "active consideration."

"I think it's fair to say that when Jewish voters learn of Pataki's ties to Fulani, they will not be happy," said Stone.

He added that the Golisano campaign carried the message directly to the governor yesterday morning at a fund-raising event sponsored by Syrian-American Jews he said Pataki was scheduled to attend.

Stone said a campaign operative hand-delivered a "Dear Gov. Pataki" letter to the event in which Golisano asked the governor to "do the right thing by the Jewish citizens of New York, and all New Yorkers, who refuse to tolerate hate.

"I call on you to repudiate the anti-Semitic hate-monger Lenora Fulani and disavow her endorsement of your candidacy."

Pataki spokesman Michael McKeon insisted Pataki had repeatedly repudiated Fulani's remarks, and he called the attack "just more dirty politics from Roger Stone in his partnership with Andy Cuomo.

"The governor has made it clear any number of times that he does not agree with those anti-Semitic remarks. He's made that perfectly clear again and again."

Pataki has not, however, rejected the support of Fulani, who is now a leader and highly influential figure in the Independent Party.

The Anti-Defamation League has regularly linked Fulani - once a leader of the Marxist and cult-like New Alliance Party - to anti-Semitic and anti-Israel positions.