By Colin Campbell 8/20/12 8:59pm

Israelapalooza

A photo of Dan Halloran in Israel.

Halloran Mocks Meng’s Foreign Policy ‘Chutzpah’ in His Own Op-Ed [Update]

Earlier this month, Assemblywoman Grace Meng, the Democratic candidate for New York’s 6th Congressional District, penned an op-ed in the Jewish Week outlining agreements and disagreements with President Barack Obama on his policies towards Israel, while simultaneously taking some shots at her Republican opponent, Councilman Dan Halloran, for his support for the non-interventionist Ron Paul’s presidential campaign.

Mr. Halloran’s campaign, naturally, had some choice words for that, declaring, “There are serious issues at stake here that a ghostwritten, waffling op-ed does not address.”

But the back-and-forth on the Holy Land didn’t stop there. Not even close. Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/17/12 2:45pm

next year in jerusalem

Grace Meng in the Knesset, the Israeli legislative body. (Phot

Meng Campaign Calls Halloran’s Israel Trip a Stunt [Update]

Last week, Councilman Dan Halloran, a candidate for a northeastern Queens Congressional District, visited Israel and met with religious and government leaders in the process. Mr. Halloran used the trip to flex his foreign policy credentials, which he undoubtedly hopes will have some appeal with Jewish voters back home.

Mr. Halloran’s Democratic opponent, however, was not amused. In a statement blasted out this afternoon, Ms. Meng’s campaign accused Mr. Halloran of being insufficiently supportive of the country despite the trip. Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/17/12 8:26am

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Dan Halloran praying at the Wailing Wall. (Photo: Halloran campaign)

In A Long Statement, Halloran Touts Endorsements From Israeli Leaders

Councilman Dan Halloran, running for congress in a Democratic district that he hopes will become competitive with the help of northeastern Queens’ various Jewish constituencies, is back from last week’s trip to Israel and pointed to his “eye-opening experience” and the support he received there in a press release sent out this morning.

“Just like Americans, the Jewish people may build and live wherever they want,” he declared in the statement. “All free people have the right to live where they choose. I fully support Israel and the settlement in Judea and Samaria. I will never forget what I learned, saw and experienced on my trip to Israel. And when I am in Congress, I will be Israel’s most devoted advocate. The United States needs a secure, free Israel to make this world safer for all freedom-loving nations.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/10/12 8:27am

next year in jerusalem

Grace Meng (Photo: NY1)

Meng Outlines Her Position on Israel, Takes Shots at Halloran [Updated x2]

Yesterday morning, GOP Councilman Dan Halloran, a candidate for Congress against Democratic Assemblywoman Grace Meng, declared he was hopping on a plane to Israel this weekend. What’s more, he blasted the entire Democratic Party for failing to properly nurture a proper U.S.-Israeli relationship.

“Our president is not a real ally of Israel’s,” he declared. “Our president’s party, the Democratic Party, is not a real ally of Israel’s. They think Israel needs to apologize for defending herself. They think that we should apologize for standing with Israel.”

Well, unsurprisingly, Ms. Meng doesn’t exactly see eye-to-eye with him on that view and, yesterday evening, the Jewish Week published an op-ed by her entitled, “Where I Agree And Disagree With President Obama On Israel.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/06/12 8:33am

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Dan Halloran (Photo: Facebook)

Halloran Pushes Back, Asks ‘What Does Grace Meng Have to Hide?’

GOP Councilman Dan Halloran certainly has no interest in forgetting about the arrest of former Assemblyman Jimmy Meng — the father of his Democratic opponent his current congressional race. After initially issuing a questionable claim of exactly how much money Mr. Meng raised for his daughter Grace at an unrelated political event, Mr. Halloran is now calling for Ms. Meng to disclose all of her campaign’s bundlers.

“What does Grace Meng Have to Hide?” a press release from his campaign asked this morning, with his spokesman Steven Stites adding, “If Grace Meng isn’t ready to disclose her finances, how can she be ready to represent us in Congress? Her campaign coffers are flush with special interest money. The people deserve to know who helped her raise that money. New Yorkers can’t help but wonder what Grace Meng has to hide.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/02/12 2:52pm

there you go

(Photo: NY Post/James Messerschmidt)

Myungsuk Lee Won’t Sue the New York Post After All

Just over a week ago, Queens Assembly candidate Myungsuk Lee held a press conference denouncing the New York Post for publishing reports of his newspaper, the Korean American Times, containing ads for prostitution services. At the conference, he reportedly vowed to sue the tabloid for defamation and libel, in addition to seeking a face-to-face sit down with the Post‘s chief editor to discuss the publication’s bias “against Korean-American community at large.”

Well, it looks like Mr. Lee backed down.

“Personally, I want to send a letter to the Post, but my political consultants advised me not to do it,” he told the Queens Courier while denying he intended to file a lawsuit. “It makes it worse.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 8/01/12 11:43am

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Dan Halloran (Photo: YouTube)

Halloran Addresses Jimmy Meng Allegations [Video]

After former Assemblyman Jimmy Meng, the father of current Assemblywoman — and congressional candidate — Grace Meng, was arrested last week for allegedly soliciting an $80,000 bribe to fix a court case, Ms. Meng’s Republican opponent, Councilman Dan Halloran, very directly declined to comment for the time being. But Mr. Halloran still has thoughts on the issue, as evidenced by his endorsement speech for a Republican Council candidate the day after Mr. Meng was indicted.

“Because he’s a Republican, the type of scrutiny that he’s going to get is unreal,” Mr. Halloran said of the media’s future treatment of Andy Sullivan, a candidate against incumbent Brooklyn Councilman Vinnie Gentile in 2013. “In my race, my opponent had her father arrested and indicted in federal court yesterday for scamming $80,000 out of a Chinese businessman, on tape, by FBI. And he bundled one quarter of her money for her race, but they don’t even mention her! Don’t even mention her!” Read More

By Colin Campbell 7/31/12 8:00am

king of queens

Dan Halloran announcing for Congress in Bowne Park.

Ragin’ Pagan: Dan Halloran Aims to Take Passionate, Unorthodox Approach to Washington D.C.

On a sunny March day in a park in northeastern Queens, Councilman Dan Halloran gathered with his supporters, including his two Great Danes, to announce his campaign for Congress.

“Bowne Park is, as many of you know, part of the estate that once belonged to John Bowne, who, during a time of turmoil in this country—before it was our nation—stood up for the rights of an oppressed minority and protected them,” Mr. Halloran began, referencing a 17th-century push to end persecution of Quakers in the former Dutch colony of New Netherland. “He and a small band stood together and created the Flushing Remonstrance. It is the cornerstone on which our First Amendment was eventually written.”

“This community has a rich, rich history and I’m very glad to be here today to make my announcement,” the Republican added.

The next day he found out he had a brain tumor. Read More

By Colin Campbell 7/25/12 1:05pm

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(Photo: NY Post/James Messerschmidt)

Assembly Candidate Vows Revenge Against the New York Post

Myungsuk Lee, one of many candidates vying to replace Assemblywoman Grace Meng’s soon-to-be-vacated seat, has been battered by a couple recent New York Post articles reporting the existence of prostitution ads in the newspaper he owns, the Korean American Times. But, according to a source monitoring the Korean language media, it seems Mr. Lee is not going to be taking the issue sitting down.

Mr. Lee reportedly held a press conference last Friday arguing that the alleged brothels are, in fact, legal businesses, and said he would seek to file a lawsuit against the Post for defamation and libel. In a translation provided to The Politicker, Mr. Lee further said he would seek a face-to-face discussion with the publication’s management, which he said produces articles ”against Korean-American community at large.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 7/24/12 5:19pm

fruit basket bribes

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Meng: ‘Troubled and Deeply Saddened’ by Father’s Arrest; Halloran Declines to Comment

Earlier today, Jimmy Meng, the father of Assemblywoman — and congressional candidate — Grace Meng, was arrested under allegations of having solicited an $80,000 bribe in a fruit basket to help fix a court case. Understandably, Ms. Meng’s campaign sent out a statement this evening urging caution and patience as the legal process works itself out.

“I am shocked and deeply saddened by these allegations. Prior to this afternoon’s reports, I had no knowledge of my father’s actions or the investigation,” she said. “I am independent of my father – always have been, always will be. Until more facts emerge and we have a better understanding of the situation, the only thing further I’ll say is that I urge my father to fully cooperate with all authorities.” Read More