PLATTSBURGH — The former North Country representative to Congress says the incumbent did not offer much when addressing a host of issues during a visit last week.
“Not a scintilla,” Bill Owens, a Plattsburgh attorney who served in the 21st Congressional District as a Democrat from 2009 to 2015, said about the amount of details that Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville) offered recently.
Stefanik talked about the possibility of her being selected by Donald Trump as a running mate for the Republican presidential ticket in November, Amtrak, the Northern Border and bump stocks among other issues during a brief news conference with local media at an event at Medisca in the Town of Plattsburgh last Thursday.
Owens said that Stefanik’s initial comments about her as Trump’s running mate seemed to be a pitch to stay in the hunt as a vice president candidate and were likely more directed at Trump than the residents of the North Country.
“It is of interest to note she offered no reasons for her selection beyond she supports him and is a fighter,” Owens said.
“She does not distinguish what characteristics or skills she has as compared to the other contenders and certainly is unlikely to deliver New York state’s electoral votes.”
‘LACK ANY SUBSTANCE’
About Amtrak, which recently announced that local service on the Adirondack Line from New York City to Montreal would be curtailed until mid-September, Stefanik said she has been putting heavy pressure on Amtrak to resume service sooner.
Owens said that while Stefanik says she is holding Amtrak accountable, it doesn’t seem so.
“Her comments lack any substance such as describing what the issues are and what she proposes to do about them. For instance would greater funding help travelers in her district, could she assist Amtrak with regulatory issues?” Owens said.
“If she is talking at ‘high levels’ something of substance must be on the table. Alas, there is no substance because she only focuses on political hit jobs not solutions.”
‘BLAMES BIDEN’
When it comes to the Northern Border, Owens said all Stefanik does is blame President Joe Biden for problems.
“She blames Mr. Biden for all that ails the borders and again claims to be holding them accountable without specificity,” Owens said.
“Her reliance on the Secure the Border Act borders on the absurd as it will never move forward in the Senate. Republicans have rejected a comprehensive compromise negotiated by one of their own leading conservatives, Sen. James Langford. On multiple occasions Mr. Biden has indicated he would sign it.
“Mr. Trump has told Republicans not to support it because it would give Mr. Biden a win on a very politically important issue. So much for good governance.”
NO ‘SPECIFIC CONCERNS’
Owens also said Stefanik’s position on bump stocks for guns also leaves a void.
“She asserts, ‘she had concerns,’ with the legislation drafted by Mr. Trump when enacted, which the Supreme Court recently struck down, again without specificity,” Owens said.
“It appears Ms. Stefanik does not deem us worthy to hear her specific concerns or she doesn’t actually have any.”