| Since yesterday when the story of Joe Bruno using state aircraft and drivers to travel to fund raising events broke, Bruno's spokesman, John McArdle, a man who is paid a hefty state salary to spin for the Majority Leader, has advanced no less than three different and somewhat contradictory defenses for his boss' behavior.
1. The "this is nonsense, the trips were legitimate" defense:
"On those days, we met with government officials and did legislative business," McArdle said Sunday. "The notion that he uses the helicopter for personal use is nonsense."
2. The "the Governor does it too" defense:
"If they pursue this, they are going to find themselves subject to an inquiry based on the exact same things that they're alleging," said Bruno spokesman John McArdle. State Republican Chairman Joe Mondello called yesterday for just such a probe.
3. The "People want to hurt Bruno" defense:
Mr. McArdle said Mr. Bruno needed police escorts because his life had been threatened.
“There clearly continue to be threats against Senator Bruno,” he said. “In the past, he has been advised by the state police and others to have protection in the city.”
And let's not forget the super special combo defense/dodge; the "the trips were legitimate but we won't release the itinerary - why? because the governor won't release his (he does so regularly)" defense:
McArdle wouldn't release details of the government business conducted on each of the three days, explaining that Bruno won't release that detail because Gov. Eliot Spitzer doesn't.
Spitzer spokesman Paul Larrabee said they would turn over travel schedules if asked. "We routinely provide the schedules for public review," he said.
Pick one, Mr. McArdle. We pay you a hefty public salary to spin us. We expect something more professional. At least do it with some modicum of skill. |
