Carl Paladino Loses Support From New York Rabbi After Apologizing For Anti-Gay Comments

NEW YORK — An Orthodox rabbi says he's withdrawing his endorsement of New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino because the Republican apologized for comments he made about gays.

Rabbi Yehuda Levin, who represents an umbrella organization of ultra-Orthodox clerics, accused Paladino on Wednesday of bowing to political pressure when he apologized for a speech in which he said children shouldn't be "brainwashed" into thinking homosexuality is acceptable.

Levin – speaking in New York City in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral – says he can't support Paladino's campaign "until such time as he straightens out."

Paladino spokesman Michael Caputo said in an e-mail that the rabbi and Paladino "agree on many things and disagree on some, too. He's entitled to his opinion."

New York Archdiocese spokesman Joseph Zwilling says the press conference was held on public property and had nothing to do with the archdiocese, which does not endorse or oppose political candidates.

Comments

[marilyn 63]

02:06 AM on 10/27/2010

you mean after Paladino pandered to this Rabbi. paladino told what he really thought and lost his best homophobic bud?? that's hilarious..

[Clevelandinwi]

08:15 AM on 10/16/2010

Who's nuttier - paladino or the rabbi? Toss-up? Yeah, I agree.

[joedawg88]

04:20 PM on 10/15/2010

Another religion of peace.

[dim]

03:23 AM on 10/16/2010

Are there any other kind of religion?

[valeskas]

11:17 AM on 10/15/2010

Hatred is everywhere.

[dim]

03:23 AM on 10/16/2010

Not in my house. Errr... pleasure palace of love.

[valeskas]

09:21 AM on 10/16/2010

Good for you.

[ufopp]

10:24 AM on 10/15/2010

Shouldn't these religious organizations be charged with racketeering for such blatant politicking?

[dim]

03:29 AM on 10/16/2010

Yeah, right after Dick Cheney, having admitted directing torture and having shot an acquaintance in the face, gets charged.

[valeskas]

09:21 AM on 10/16/2010

Thats the truth.

[marilyn 63]

02:09 AM on 10/27/2010

and Cheney wanted the one he shot in the face to apologize to him. how insane is that. i guess for having his face in the way. OUCH!!!

[JohnMHammer]

09:43 AM on 10/15/2010

Why are religious organizations exempt from taxation when they frequently endorse specific candidates for office, entire slates, and even party affiliations? Even the Roman Catholic Church, "...which does not endorse or oppose political candidates..." certainly does so from the pulpit even if they avoid doing so via press release or in interviews with news organizations.

The 501(c)(3) organizations which have employed me and for which I have been paid as a consultant have to be very, very careful to maintain their tax exempt status. There can't be even a hint of an endorsement, even when accepting a giant fake check from a Congressman or Senator. We're allowed only restricted lobbying activities. How do religious organizations, who are covered by the same tax code, get away with this behavior?

[PresidentRobertBooth]

01:51 AM on 10/15/2010

A Jew should be one of the strongest opponents of bigotry and persecution.

[dim]

03:10 AM on 10/16/2010

This is a talmud thumper, not Jon Stewart.

[ufopp]

09:36 AM on 10/17/2010

Isn't it a poker instead of thump-er? For poking their fingers when debating finer points? As in "the bible thumper and the talmud poker happily walked hand-in-hand over the cliff".

[CoronaDischarge]

11:23 PM on 10/14/2010

All I can say is this Rabbi got more actual air time than this Palamino guy over all this. He's been on CNN and MSBNC at least.

If Palamino got himself played by some oddball Rabbi in Brooklyn, and even managed to alienate both sides at the same time, he is just a political disaster waiting to happen. The only person likely wanting him to win at this point is Paterson, because who will possibly be able to remember Paterson as anything but the guy that preceded this clown.

[earwicker7]

10:58 PM on 10/14/2010

Because nothing says "I'm totally straight!" like running around in pigtails and a funny hat lol.

[jeffp26]

11:32 AM on 10/14/2010

The joke is on Paladino. That isn't a rabbi. It's Al Pacino in his Shylock costume.

[p456]

10:43 AM on 10/14/2010

Anytime someone is critical of the Jewish community they are called anti Semitic. Ware are the Jewish leaders who preach tolerance on this issue? Why have they not come out to denounce this Rabbi and his actions. I saw the video and heard the applause after the speech was read. Paladino is a slimy politician I don't expect much from him. But a so called religious leader preaching the word of god that's a whole other thing. Bigots are bigots no matter if they are a Jewish Rabbi or a homophobic politician trying to win an election.

[asta1968]

04:56 PM on 10/14/2010

These are the Ultra Orthodox.....the Jewish equivalent of the T-Baggers.

I'm sure Anthony Wiener has something to say about them!

[marilyn 63]

02:12 AM on 10/27/2010

and he's a racist and really loves pictures of women having sex with animals how sick is that. and he's trying to get elected for Governor!!! wow!!

[colah]

09:36 AM on 10/14/2010

The compassion shown by the jewlsh community is just overwhelming, no?
First they have that adorable little blockade going. Then the restraint showed while being attacked by teenagers with deckchairs was very admirable. Only 1 shot in the face while laying unconcious on the deck of the Rachael Corrie! That in itself shows how concerned they are about their neighbors. And now, we see just how loving they really are of all gods creatures with this proclamation of equality & brotherly love. Allowing people to be who they are without slandering them for their lifestyle is now the first thing that comes to mind when I think about the jewlsh community!
I just dont understand people when they say that for only being .8% of the worlds population, they cause 30% of the worlds problems. That seems so unfair. Everybody knows that after WWII they have been so aware of being persecuted for their lifestyle that they would NEVER do that to another group they dissagreed with. Because they are so nice.
So I say hats off (curls optional, of course) to the jewlsh gang for their forward thinking, humanitarian ways!
Shalom!

[jeffp26]

11:34 AM on 10/14/2010

Makes me sick to admit I'm jewish, but all religious zealots are delusional, hypocritical fools. And they have a surprise in store when they die.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

09:20 AM on 10/14/2010

Revoke that Rabbi's organization's tax-exempt status. He's politicking.

I'm glad to say he doesn't speak for all Jews, as he certainly doesn't speak for this one.

[WaSkiva]

08:18 PM on 10/14/2010

What a great point.

[lmab]

09:17 AM on 10/14/2010

"New York Archdiocese spokesman Joseph Zwilling says the press conference was held on public property and had nothing to do with the archdiocese, which does not endorse or oppose political candidates.".......the same position they take on pedophilia.

[MIKEinNYC]

08:15 AM on 10/14/2010

This rabbi represents a tiny number of people. The loss of his so-called supporters is a drop in the bucket. I say "so-called" because when it comes to his nutty followers, who are they going to vote for, Cuomo? Never!

[MIKEinNYC]

08:18 AM on 10/14/2010

Courting this vote was a big mistake. They all kind of look and dress alike but the hasidim comprise a variety of groups, not just this rabbi's faction. Paladino was a shmuck for even courting this vote.

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

09:21 AM on 10/14/2010

Paladino doesn't even speak for all shmucks.

[Sean Foley]

06:52 PM on 10/14/2010

Hasidics are just judgmental loons that smell up the train.