Katko failed the test of political courage and leadership for Central New York, sticks with political convenience
As Donald Trump continues his reckless campaign, Congressman John Katko is still playing footsie with the dangerous demagogue.
Throughout the election year, Katko has toed a fine line between deflecting questions about Trump, and yet has always left the door open to supporting Trump.
Even after Trump insulted war hero Senator John McCain, attacked women, mocked a reporter with disabilities, and went after a Gold Star family, Katko says that he could still back Trump should he ‘change his tone.’
(Frankly, the idea that a ‘new tone’ could move Katko to support Trump at this point should frighten Central New York voters.)
But that aside, what is clear is that Katko is out of excuses and has failed the test of political courage and leadership.
Retiring Republican Congressman (and neighbor) Richard Hanna stood up to not only drop Trump, but publicly announce his support for Hillary Clinton – arguing that Trump was “deeply flawed in endless ways.”
And yet as Trump continues his downward decline – whether it is encouraging violence against his opponent or making absurd accusations that President Obama is the “founder of ISIS” – Katko is still ignoring the elephant in the room.
Local press is taking note. NBC 3 News highlighted yesterday the stakes for Katko, “This could be critical, on this side of the election, how he [Katko] handles the Trump issue.”
With it now undeniably true that Donald Trump is not only unfit to be president but would be the “most reckless” American president in history, any action Katko takes will be out of pure political convenience and opportunism, not leadership for Central New York.
“Katko had many opportunities to disavow Donald Trump and his dangerous and reckless comments, but he failed the test of political courage and leadership,” said Bryan Lesswing of the DCCC. “As Katko continues to play footsie with Trump and leave the door open to backing his dangerous candidacy, he only proves that his posturing is purely out of political convenience and opportunism, not what’s best for Central New York.”