Earlier this week, Carl Paladino, the Republican candidate for governor of New York, and Fredric U. Dicker, the New York Post's state editor, had words:
To summarize: Dicker asked Paladino to substantiate his claim that the Democratic candidate, Andrew Cuomo, had been unfaithful to his ex-wife. Then, Paladino accused Dicker of being Cuomo's "stalking horse" and "bird dog," criticizing him -- and the Post -- for photographing his 10-year-old daughter, born to a woman with whom he had an affair.
It was "not a high point in New York State political history, that's certain," NPR's Frank James wrote.
Theatrics aside, Dicker did have a point: If you are going to accuse your opponent of infidelity, you should provide some proof.
According to New York magazine, "the proof is ... nothing."
Paladino told a reporter for the Buffalo News that he never made the accusation:
Paladino, speaking from his Buffalo office, said he has been subjected to so many questions about his personal life that he recently questioned whether the media, in fairness, is also posing personal questions to Cuomo. However, Paladino said, he wasn't accusing Cuomo of having an extramarital affair.
On Capital Tonight yesterday, Paladino commented on the altercation with Dicker -- and his comments about Cuomo:
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