John Faso and his Republican surrogates have attacked Antonio Delgado over his former occupation as a rapper, despite Faso himself having no rapping experience whatsoever.
This is plain hypocrisy. Super PACs are running ads against Delgado, saying his rap lyrics contain “extremist attacks on American values.” They even claim he “minimized 9/11.” These attacks are crude as well as false. Delgado never minimized 9/11. He asked why the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina wasn’t as urgent, when the destruction was comparable. Many thoughtful Americans have wondered this. That Delgado felt moved to ask this question in his art can be counted to his credit.
Meanwhile, what is Faso’s own rap record? He has none. Not even a mixtape.
Twelve years ago, Delgado was a Rhodes scholar and Harvard Law graduate trying to succeed as a musician. He had the education to fall back on if he didn’t make it, but we can still admire the willingness to try and make a living from his creativity.
The same 12 years ago, Faso was losing his race for governor and about to become a political consultant between government gigs, with two decades in New York Republican politics already behind him and more to come.
So, it’s absolutely true that these two candidates come from different backgrounds. But it’s Delgado’s that should resonate more with voters. Born and raised in Schenectady, fed on wages from a factory that isn’t there anymore, who felt a calling and followed it, but ultimately realized he had to move on. If there’s any shame in that, it’s a shame to which many of us can relate.
Delgado may have struggled as a rapper. But there are plenty of people struggling in our 19th Congressional District who don’t see that as a problem. Antonio Delgado has been one of them. He’s worked to help them, and yes, he’s written lyrics that honor them. Meanwhile John Faso, in his long career in government, hasn’t spit them a single rhyme.
Delgado’s rap record is superior to his opponent’s simply by default. We owe him our consideration to serve as our representative in Congress. At a minimum, we should not reward Faso or Republicans for their shamelessness in attempting to turn Delgado’s former music career into an insulting, racially suggestive political attack. That kind of trash talk belongs in a diss track, not a congressional campaign.
Alex Ruthrauff is a customer support representative living in Kingston.
Brilliant take on the situation! A great piece to start my Sunday. Thank you!
Framing the ISSUES? Is commercial rap really defining the questions at large for our Congress; what about the commercial lobbying background of Faso? Let’s stay on track. Faso does not represent our values or our basic
constituent beliefs. His selling ability is his art, and that goes to the highest bidder not to ideals and practice.
Delgado seems to be “taking the Rap” here from the covert action of the Congressional Leadership Fund for
Faso, implying more of how Faso is really the representative of our values and beliefs. “The Congressional Leadership Fund is a powerful and influential GOP super PAC that has already raised nearly $100 million for the 2018 election cycle. The super PAC, which formed in 2011, has rapidly become a major contributor to GOP politicians, closely aligned to House Speaker Paul Ryan.”
(See: https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2018/08/what-is-the-congressional-leadership-fund/What is the Congressional Leadership Fund? OpenSecrets.org“)
Faso’s got no bars and his whole crew is whack
Framing the ISSUES? Is commercial rap really defining the questions at large for our Congress; what about the commercial lobbying background of Faso? Let’s stay on track. Faso does not represent our values or our basic
constituent beliefs. His selling ability is his art, and that goes to the highest bidder not to ideals and practice.
Delgado seems to be “taking the Rap” here from the covert action of the Congressional Leadership Fund for
Faso, implying more of how Faso is really the representative of our values and beliefs. “The Congressional Leadership Fund is a powerful and influential GOP super PAC that has already raised nearly $100 million for the 2018 election cycle. The super PAC, which formed in 2011, has rapidly become a major contributor to GOP politicians, closely aligned to House Speaker Paul Ryan.”
(See: https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2018/08/what-is-the-congressional-leadership-fund/What is the Congressional Leadership Fund? OpenSecrets.org“)
see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Leadership_Fund
and: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shill
A very enjoyable read, Alex!
What matters more to me is the vision of the candidates for this district and how they express it. I appreciate Faso’s responding to my letters, but not his mincing words to mask his Chumpian approval of certain issues. He typically votes for measures that don’t reflect the needs of the people of the Hudson Valley. OTOH, I’ve yet to receive a response from Delgado or to hear him speak anywhere. Not good.
Sorry, I disagree: Delgado’s everywhere. He even went to something called the “Bagelfest” in Sullivan County…In fact, I think his (and his team’s) work ethic is why he (according to a recent Siena poll) is in a statistical deadheat with Faso. Remember, Delgado (despite being born and raised in Upstate New York) was new to this district and, prior to entering this race, had no name-recognition. Within one year he has established himself as not only a candidate, but a viable replacement for an incumbent. He has done this despite the attack ads, and Faso’s debate-dodging. Although Faso’s own lackluster performance and unpopularity helped, it is still an amazing trajectory for this candidate, and is the direct result of being accessible.
I’d suggest, if you truly want to meet with Delgado, going to his campaign’s website (or FB page) and finding an event in the area. He, unlike Faso, makes his event schedule public…
I’ll be voting for Delgado, but he needs to come to other district counties to be heard. I’ve written to him through his website about 3x and not even received an autoresponder message.
“John Faso has no rap experience–not even a mixtape.”
This line is so good it deserves it’s own mic-drop.
#AlexRuthrauff4President
Don’t forget that Delgado made a rap album as part of his work with kids in LA. From what I understand, Delgado wasn’t try to make it as a rap artist – he was working with kids to empower them and educate them on civic issues and politics through art. If he gave up on rap after recording an album, it’s likely because there are few opportunities for conscious rappers (artists who rap about social and political issues). Listen to Micah Blumenthal and Ida Hakkila discuss this – they really understand the intricacies of the rap music scene: https://radiokingston.org/en/archive/source-hillary-harvey/episodes/rap-music-and-race-in-the-campaign-for-the-19th-congressional-district
My son thought he wanted to be a rapper as a teenager too! He is now a 38 year old husband and father! Employed as a computer tech manager, educated, felony-free, with a mortgage, a minivan and Pop Warner football games, every Sunday, as a coach!! Do not allow them to use the dreams and behavior of a teenage boy to strike others down! It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, it matters where you’re going! Delgado has mine and my son’s full support!! Carry on!!
That ad burns me up every time I see it. So Delgado doing what many teens do, writing rap songs, is suddenly un American? Yet another disgusting dog whistle blown by the republicans. Since when did rapping make someone unfit for public service, especially someone with the outstanding credentials of Delgado? I think we all know why rapping makes him “unfit” in their minds and it has nothing to do with music. I hope Faso goes down hard at the polls.
And those stupid ads finish with that “he’s not one of us” clap trap: offensive, racist, shameful
Great piece. I’ve called and written to Faso’s office several times demanding an explanation of why he’s race-baiting with those statements and ads, just to give them a hard time. Of course, I haven’t received an answer, because the explanation of race-baiting is … racism. Go Delgado!
Faso is an idiot and a puppet for the joke in the White House. He’s ineffective, a coward, a total and complete liar and will lose this election as we chip away at the aggressive deconstruction of our D E M O C R A C Y.
Oh, he’s a bold-faced racists as well, blatantly demonstrated by his words and actions in this situation.