Gillibrand vs Farley: Who’s really for New York?

By Marcus Ayala

With midterm elections coming on Nov. 6, New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and challenger Chele Farley debated at ABC’s studio on Lincoln Square. Gillibrand, the Democrat, is facing an opponent who accused the incumbent of being more concerned about seeking the presidency in two years.

Both candidates say they want what’s best for New York, but the similarities end there.

When asked about the recent spate of explosive devices, called domestic terrorism by many, the candidate revealed their different political perspectives. Gillibrand said, “We have to hold the terrorists accountable.”

She also said that using ICE (the federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency) is not a proper way to handle terrorism. She and other Democrats have criticized President Donald Trump for what they call abuse of undocumented immigrants, using ICE as a weapon. Some Progressive Democrats have demanded a dismantling of ICE.

Farley said she wants to keep ICE, believing that it’s been effective in cracking down on MS-13, a Central American gang that has members in some U.S. communities. “We can’t allow open borders,” Farley said. “I support the President when his policies are good for New York,” she said regarding Trump and his especially tough approach to dealing with undocumented immigrants.

Gillibrand said she believes Trump’s approach to immigration – like his talk about tightening the border with Mexico – is harmful to New Yorkers. “We are a country founded by immigrants,” she said. “Separating parents and their kids at the border is heinous.”

Regarding the issue of Social Security and Medicaid – of importance to large numbers of Americans – Gillibrand said, “Health care should be a human right and not a privilege.”

Farley expressed the opinion that health care as backed by many Democrats is too expensive. “Taxes will double under Democrats health care plan.” She said free health care would make it more difficult to be seen by doctors.

A hot topic was Brett Kavanaugh. Farley said she supported his approval as a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. She repeated Trump’s contention that, regarding the sex assault allegations against him when he was a high school student, a person should be considered innocent until proven guilty. Gillibrand, like other Democrats, opposed Kavanaugh.

Both candidates said they believe in climate change and global warming. Gillibrand said, “We need to take climate change seriously.” Farley, for her part, refused to place blame for climate change on Americans. “It’s not the U.S.,” she said, maintain China is far more guilty in polluting the environment.

In getting in her final words, Farley repeated her contention that Gillibrand is mostly concerned about running for president in the future. “I want to be the senator that puts New York first,’’ Farley said.