Pols Denounce Radio Host's Hate Speech

by Judy Silberstein

( September 25, 2002) Both the Bramson and Tocci campaigns today denounced as “hate-speech” comments made by New Rochelle radio talk show host Bob Schaefer in a post-primary e-mail to a number of New Rochelle City Councilors. Schaefer lashed out at liberals, calling them “toxic” and also berated the League of Women Voters.

Asked by the Larchmont Gazette to explain his comments, Schaefer said, “The League is basically made up of a League of yentas. I believe they’re extreme toxic liberals,” which he defined as “someone who does not have a conception of the real world. They live in 'La-la-land'.” In his e-mail he accused the League of supporting “one of their own namely ‘a rich white bread Jewish liberal from the North End!’” Mr. Schaeffer added, “ I whole-heartedly believe this is not anti-Semitic. I lost family in Nazi-Germany.”

Others had different opinions. Mr. Bramson characterized Mr. Schaefer’s comments as “hate speech” and declared, “Ugly, hateful comments of this kind have no legitimate place in politics or in any other forum.” In a press release dated September 24, the Bramson campaign stated, “We call upon Ron Tocci to distance himself publicly and immediately from both the statement and its author.”

Reached for a response, Tocci spokesperson Joe Durnin said, “There is a first amendment right. Unfortunately Mr. Schaefer uses it to the detriment of many people. The Assemblyman detests this kind of comment and bombast.”

The Bramson campaign attacked Tocci for his association with Mr. Schaefer. (See Bramson Press Release) “Robert Schaefer is a public figure, the host of a weekly radio program, and one of Assemblyman Tocci’s most vocal, active supporters. It is deeply disturbing that an individual so heavily involved in the Tocci campaign would issue such an offensive statement.” Mr. Tocci was appearing on Mr. Schaefer's July 3 show when the host said of New Rochelle City Council members: “if they make cuts I hope it’s their wrists or their throats. Either way, it doesn’t matter to me.”

The Tocci campaign responded angrily and called for “Mr. Bramson to distance himself from this sort of hate and bias.” Durnin said that Mr. Tocci was appearing on the show to speak with citizens who were calling in. “Tocci demanded that Bramson stop distracting from the real issues,” added Durnin.

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