Carl McCall yesterday unleashed a blistering attack on Gov. Pataki, calling him “terribly unprincipled” and a governor who refuses to be held accountable for his “inept” and “unethical” agencies.
“If you’re the chief executive, you have to step up and accept the responsibility for what people who work for you do,” McCall said during an appearance on the Upper West Side.
“All of these [state] agencies report to the governor,” McCall added, his voice rising. “It’s time that the governor stood up and accepted the responsibility for the ineptness of the agencies that work for him.”
Citing problems with the Health Department, Parole Board and Banking Department, McCall said Pataki must “accept the responsibility for the unethical activities of the agencies and people that report to him.”
Pataki campaign spokeswoman Molly Fullington dismissed McCall’s comments as a “rant” and “just more desperate attacks from an increasingly hysterical candidate.”
Pataki devoted yesterday to ceremonial duties, cutting the ribbons for a new CUNY child-care center in The Bronx and a new arts center at SUNY Stony Brook. He also attended the groundbreaking for a $400 million, 35-story office and retail center in Times Square.
McCall, who is trailing in the race, has been criticized by some supporters for being too placid on the campaign trail, leaving the sharper attacks to his campaign staff and surrogates.
That changed yesterday during an event with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle.
McCall also slammed Pataki for flying to Florida during the 2000 presidential recount, charging the governor opposes “fair and open elections.”
Meanwhile, McCall complained yesterday that Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe had reneged on his financial commitment to his campaign.
“Keep the love, send the money,” McCall said.
A McAuliffe spokeswoman said the McCall campaign remains a “key race” but could not say how much more money will be forthcoming.
Daschle said Republicans have spent more on Pataki than Democrats on McCall because the GOP has more cash.
Today, Pataki picks up the endorsement of the six unions representing city police and firefighters.
Former President Clinton and Sen. Hillary Clinton are co-headlining a McCall fund-raiser tonight.