State of New York Archives: on Principles & Values

Joe DioGuardi: Gillibrand had a 2-year tryout; now give me a 2-year tryout

The two are competing to fill out the two years remaining on the Senate term of Hillary Clinton. "Sen. Gillibrand has had her two-year tryout and I believe she has flunked,'' DioGuardi said. "It's time to give Joe DioGuardi a two-year tryout.''

Joe DioGuardi: Accused of making deals in a $1.7 billion Ponzi scheme

"This is a complete fabrication & a misrepresentation of who I am," DioGuardi said. DioGuardi insisted he was merely a bit player in the deal described by a Gillibrand ad as a "Madoff-style $1.7 billion Ponzi scheme."

He returned fire by highlighting defense work Gillibrand did as an attorney for tobacco giant Philip Morris in the 1990s. "She was actually the architect of everything that company did to try to hide the fact that cigarettes cause cancer," he said.

"Your arguments are absolutely fantasy," Gillibrand scoffed. The senator characterized her tobacc work as something she got stuck with when she was "a junior associate in a big firm."

She pointed out that DioGuardi, too, had represented Big Tobacco, as an accountant. DioGuardi objected, and she shot back: "Oh, so you didn't choose your clients?"

Kirsten Gillibrand: Accused of hiding facts connecting cigarettes and cancer

He returned fire by highlighting defense work Gillibrand did as an attorney for tobacco giant Philip Morris in the 1990s. "She was actually the architect of everything that company did to try to hide the fact that cigarettes cause cancer," he said.

"Your arguments are absolutely fantasy," Gillibrand scoffed. The senator characterized her tobacc work as something she got stuck with when she was "a junior associate in a big firm."

She pointed out that DioGuardi, too, had represented Big Tobacco, as an accountant. DioGuardi objected, and she shot back: "Oh, so you didn't choose your clients?"

Charles Schumer: 1998: demanded 10 debates; 2010: declined all debates

After reading off an anecdote about Schumer calling for multiple debates against his opponent Al D'Amato in 1998, Townsend, a marketing executive, said "if 10 debates was right for Sen. Schumer in 1998, I would think at least one is appropriate in the year 2010."

"I do believe New Yorkers are entitled to hear a vigorous exchange of our view," he said after declaring that this year's elections will determine the destiny of the country. While Schumer's refusal to engage in a debate with Townsend is a major focus of his campaign, he said that it is not defined by it. "I'll be happy to debate the imaginary Chuck if I have to," said Townsend, eyeing the cutout beside him.

Jay Townsend: Will debate cardboard cutout of incumbent Schumer

After reading off an anecdote about Schumer calling for multiple debates against his opponent Al D'Amato in 1998, Townsend, a marketing executive, said "if 10 debates was right for Sen. Schumer in 1998, I would think at least one is appropriate in the year 2010."

"I do believe New Yorkers are entitled to hear a vigorous exchange of our view," he said after declaring that this year's elections will determine the destiny of the country. While Schumer's refusal to engage in a debate with Townsend is a major focus of his campaign, he said that it is not defined by it. "I'll be happy to debate the imaginary Chuck if I have to," said Townsend, eyeing the cutout beside him.