‘Tea Party’ Rabbi Denounces Paladino Apology: ‘I Almost Choked On The Kosher Salami’

by Glynnis MacNicol | 9:20 am, October 14th, 2010

» 19 comments

Politics is so fickle. Especially narrow-minded, homophobic politics! Following Carl Paladino’s belated apology for his anti-gay remarks at an Orthodox Jewish gathering over the weekend, the ‘Tea Party’ Rabbi who contributed many of the offensive lines to Paladino’s speech is withdrawing his support. From the NYT:

The rabbi, Yehuda Levin, who helped write those remarks, said Mr. Paladino “folded like a cheap camera” because of the uproar they had set off. And the rabbi said he could no longer support Mr. Paladino’s candidacy for governor of New York.

Then he almost chocked on his pastrami sandwich.

“Which part of the speech that you gave in Brooklyn to the Orthodox Jewish community are you apologizing for?” Rabbi Levin asked at a news conference in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, on Fifth Avenue. “Will we see you next year with your daughter at that gay pride march?”
[...]
“I was in the middle of eating a kosher pastrami sandwich,” Rabbi Levin said. “While I was eating it, they come running and they say, ‘Paladino became gay!’ I said, ‘What?’ And then they showed me the statement. I almost choked on the kosher salami.”

As the NYT aptly points out “Mr. Paladino, of course, had not become gay.” Nope. Nor do I think we will see him at the Gay Pride Parade next year, mostly because by June Paladino will likely have disappeared back to Buffalo. Meanwhile, one might say Paladino is well-rid of Levin — who also speculated “militant gays” had written his apology — except, of course, it doesn’t really answer the question of why did Paladino cast his lot with this homophobic nutjob in the first place.

Carl Paladino, homophobia, Yehuda Levin

The Real Royal King

Yes, the joys of fundamentalism! Whether Jewish, Islamic, Christian or Mormon ….
Fox News: We proudly pander to Teabaggers

A very interesting debate between that guy and another rabbi on Lawrence O’Donnell’s show last night.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Andy-Lamb/1085325013 Andy Lamb

‘Tea Party’ Rabbi said:
‘I Almost Choked On The Kosher Salami’

That’s the same thing Barney Frank said when he “found out” about the corruption, theft, and mismanagement within Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
right-is-wrong

Andy Lamb said:
That’s the same thing Barney Frank said when he “found out” about the corruption, theft, and mismanagement within Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

I was waiting for a palodino joke
that was FUNNY
omega919

Smart move by Paladino. Buddy up to the one guy who might make you look sane by comparison.
The Real Royal King

omega919 said:
Smart move by Paladino. Buddy up to the one guy who might make you look sane by comparison.

A stretch, but OK.
paulmdoro

This guy is highly entertaining. I think he needs to run for office.
The Real Royal King

paulmdoro said:
This guy is highly entertaining. I think he needs to run for office.

Hopefully, as a Republican.
paulmdoro

The Real Royal King said:
Hopefully, as a Republican.

I think Third Party.
sarainitaly

Oy vey!
writer

If he was wearing a different hat, I could swear that was Robert Stephenson.
The Real Royal King

writer said:
If he was wearing

Kumquat, the sentence is conditional, so the verb is “were”. If he were wearing ….
The Real Royal King

Not bad, Tumbleweed.
writer

King, with all they typos you make, do you really want to go there again?
http://www.anonymousfinch.com AnonymousFinch

He “almost choked on a Kosher salami”??? Is he is serious? Or is that just a euphemism for the conduct Paladino was complaining about in the first place?
writer

And why does the King get so offended when anyone mentions Robert Stephenson?
SpineCrusher

He should try choking on a Kosher salami sometime, he might change his mind and make it to the next parade.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Peter-Engel/752199074 Peter Engel

“Rabbi” Levin choking on his kosher salami inadvertently gave GLAAD, other gay organizations and every standup comic a great source of humor.

To me, this guy is a walking advertisement for vegetarianism.
Nahu Tuk

Andy Lamb said:
That’s the same thing Barney Frank said when he “found out” about the corruption, theft, and mismanagement within Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Clever.