State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno has done a lot campaigning since first working for the re-election of Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller in 1966. Ditto for Bruno’s top party-caucus deputy, Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Center) who’s been in state government for nearly 25 years.
Their skill was on display last week as they gently coached fellow Republican J. Christopher Callaghan as he sought to capitalize on the chauffeur scandal engulfing incumbent state Comptroller Alan Hevesi, a Democrat.
Suddenly Callaghan found himself with a substantial campaign treasury, journalists wanting interviews and rallies to attend but very limited stump experience. Not to worry, Bruno and Skelos were there to lean on.
“Chauffeur, don’t forget the chauffeur,” Bruno whispered as Callaghan answered questions at a news conference in Hauppauge. And later, “have you shaken hands with everyone here?”
— James T. Madore
Skelos, who is being challenged for re-election by Democrat Odelia Goldberg, went door-to-door with Callaghan in Valley Stream. At the sight of an opening door, Skelos rushed up the steps to say, “I’d like to introduce you to Chris Callaghan. He’s running for state comptroller.”
Practice makes perfect. Give Callaghan a few years.