Bill Stachowski: Bigoted Asshole
"I'm not a homophobe -- I've got plenty of gay friends . . ."
The State Senate failed to pass a marriage equality bill today. Bill Stachowski voted against equality.
Here’s what he said over the summer:
“I have nothing against people getting equal rights. I have a problem with the word ‘marriage’ [for gays],” Stachowski said.
This is utter bullshit, of course. Marriage is a right for straight folks. It’s a right I’ve exercised. It’s not available to gays, and Stachowski has made it perfectly clear that that’s just fine with him. On marriage equality, Bill Stachowski is objectively similar to Sarah Palin, Rick Santorum or any other conservative homophobe. He voted no.
Stachowski was barely reelected in 2008, despite enjoying the incumbent advantage and facing an opponent who struggled to speak in complete sentences. The difference amounted to 5 or 6 percentage points, votes that were hard-earned by the work of many local progressives who stepped in when it became clear that Stachowski didn’t know what he was doing.
Why support Stachowski? Two reasons — with the Senate flipped to the Democrats, he would be in line to chair the Finance Committee and steer that sweet Albany largesse our way; and with the Democrats in control, positive reforms like marriage equality might actually stand a chance.
Of course, Stachowski failed on both counts. He was punked by Malcolm Smith and never got the chairmanship, and now he crosses the aisle to vote with the bigots and bombers. Who needs this impotent bigot?
It’s long past time for someone to primary this motherfucker. Tim Kennedy and Mark Schroeder have been hinting at such a thing, and I suppose they’ll do in a pinch, but they’re part of the establishment that sat back and enabled Stachowski all these years. Here’s hoping a fresh face comes out of the woodwork.
He just got a nasty letter from me. I’m sad I’m not in his district (I’m D60), to vote against him in the next election. His opponent may be getting financial support though. He really is a bigot
Hear, hear…I expect this garbage from Republicans, but these “family values” Democrats need a reminder of the principles that go behind the “D” after their name. Namely, civil rights for all Americans.
Wow, excellent post from start to finish. Couldn’t have been said any better. Kudos!
Colin, Do you think the bigoted asshole label in your headline also applies to Barack Obama? If not, what’s the difference?
Probably has something to do with the fact that the issuance of marriage licenses is a state issue, and Obama is not a state legislator right now, and the issue did not come before him when he served in Illinois.
With that said, you’re equating Stachowski’s explanation with Obama’s stated position during the 2008 campaign, which is fair enough. I don’t necessarily go as far as Colin as to call Stachowski a “bigoted asshole”, but I think the semantic argument over calling it a civil union or gay marriage is idiotic poppycock.
Yeah, Obama’s Justice Department has come out in support of the Defense of Marriage Act, right? I think their take is that while it may be a bad law, it’s the law, but I haven’t exactly pored over their brief. There’s a bit of a difference between that and an up-or-down vote on equality, but you’re right — there are plenty of Democratic targets on this issue. Let’s start with Stachowski.
Where’s the closest gay bar?
@Colin, it’s a lot more direct than his DOJ defending the DOMA.
Here’s what he’s personally quoted as saying during the campaign on an issues questionnaire:
http://beta.equalitygiving.org/Barack-Obama-on-the-issues-Equality-Quotes-Gay-Rights?page-version=10&date=20080324164433
So how does that differ from Stachowski on your meter for deciding who is and isn’t a bigoted asshole?
You can’t be saying Stachowski’s influence is greater than Obama’s, can you? Yeah, Stachowski has a vote in the NY senate, but seriously…. in the bigger picture who could have more impact on something like this?
Hadn’t seen that. Yup, he’s a bigot. The all-important asshole question has already been settled, I’m afraid.
The difference between the two is that, for all his failings, Obama is still the best candidate the Democrats are going to produce, and he was the best nominee they’ve produced in decades. Were I a Democrat, I’d still vote for him in a 2012 primary. On the other hand, Stachowski is a hack and a nobody. He’s fungible.
Stachowski joins my list of 10 people I want to punch in the face.
Ok, I take it your “already been settled” means yes you apply your headline’s phrase to both Stachowski and Obama. So you’re consistent, which makes sense considering they sound the same on this issue.
Even if practicalities mean you won’t oppose him the way you’re opposing Stachowski, I’m surprised you weren’t aware Obama spoke out against gay marriage. He was open and clear about it.
[...] Heaney echoed what Colin Eager wrote here regarding Bill Stachowski’s detestable vote against grating gay couples in New York the right [...]