Bob Turner in The New York Times 2010s

On Civil Rights: The ship has sailed on gay marriage; focus elsewhere

Maragos criticized Wendy Long for not publicly advocating the repeal of same-sex marriage in New York. Long said that was not her role, given that she was not a state lawmaker, but Maragos pressed further, saying it was her duty, since she had the backing of the State Conservative Party--a distinction that Long has eagerly publicized.

Turner was not eager to discuss the subject. "This ship has sailed in New York," he said. "I want to keep the focus on jobs and the economy. The Gillibrand record, the Obama record--that's what this is going to be about."

In a lightning round of questions, Long said she would refuse to attend a same-sex wedding on principle.

On Immigration: Wouldn't report illegal immigrant working in his own home

On Tax Reform: No anti-tax pledge; keep taxes on the negotiation table

Long asked Turner to defend his stance that raising taxes should be on the table in negotiations over reducing the country's budget deficit and debt. "I just think that we can't ever put those on the table," Long said. "Your willingness to put them on the table sounds to me sort of like the policies of Barack Obama and Kirsten Gillibrand."

Turner, noting that the White House and the Senate were held by Democrats, struck a tone of practicality and said that for anything to get done, "we're going to have to talk it out. I'm not going into the negotiations--and I don't think any Republican should go into the negotiations--and say, 'This is how it's going to be,' " he said.