Curran crashes Blakeman rally promoted by gop county majority (UPDATED)

                                                                                       

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran speaks at rally hosted by opponent Bruce Blakeman on

Politics and government mixed last week when Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, a Democrat running for re-election in November, crashed a rally hosted by Hempstead Town councilman Bruce Blakeman, her Republican challenger, on the steps of Nassau's executive/legislative building in Mineola.

The press office of the Republican majority on the county legislature had promoted the rally via news release to demand the end of mask mandates for school children and campers.

A boisterous crowd of about 50 people, including school district faculty, students, parents and at least two other Republican politicians, stood on the county building steps holding such signs with such slogans as "Say No To Cuomo" and "Unmask the kids NY."

As Legis. John Ferretti (R-Levittown) spoke at a Town of Hempstead lecturn that had been set up in front of the county building,  Curran slipped into the boisterous crowd.

(Huh? Why was a Town of Hempstead lectern at a rally promoted by the county legislature?)

Politicians have crashed their political opponent's news conferences for years.  North Hempstead Supervisor Ben Zwirn crashed County Executive Thomas Gulotta press conference in 1993 when the Democrat was challenging the Republican incumbent.

Then incumbent Republican Assessor Charlie O'Shea crashed Democratic challenger Harvey Levinson news conference in 2003.

In both cases, the crasher boldly questioned the host, disrupting the event, and getting news coverage.

But last week, Curran stood silently, smiling, nodding to people around her. No catcalls. No rude questions.

Blakeman, a former county presiding officer, was unperturbed.

He noted that Curran had joined them and asked Curran if she wanted to speak, "We hope you are with us," he said genially.

Curran welcomed the crowd and said, "I'm happy to join with you today."

"I do believe parents can be trusted to make the right decision for their children and their families," Curran said.

Blakeman and the crowd called for Curran to issue an executive order lifting the mask mandate -- but the legality of a county executive lifting a mandate from the governor is questionable.

"I'm flattered that you think I've got the power to do it, " Curran said. "I'm pushing...With your advocacy, with our advocacy, we will get this done."

The county executive was more animated and better-spoken at this event than she was at her campaign kick-off. She also got more cheers and applause.

It's almost as though it was planned.

Otherwise, the press release sent out by the Republican county press office seems inappropriate:

A county government press release promoted a rally by the county executive's political opponent, who is not a county official but a town elected official. And the rally used equipment from the political opponent's Republican-controlled town.

There is no question that Blakeman ran the rally. Yes, Ferretti spoke, but he clearly deferred to Blakeman, saying, "Thank you Bruce Blakeman for having me today."

Perhaps if politicians from both sides show up and speak, then maybe its not political but governmental.

UPDATE:

New York State this afternoon relaxed its mask mandate for schools and camps, saying that masks are no longer required but still encouraged. 

So who will take credit?

Blakeman, who hosted the rally? Curran, who crashed it? Or Congressman Lee Zeldin, a Shirley Republican running for governor next year, who also held a rally this week demanding the mask mandate be lifted.