Why won’t NY-21 Dem Mike Derrick answer a reporter’s simple question?

Last week on Twitter, NY-21 Democrat Mike Derrick personally attacked Elise Stefanik’s resume after he couldn’t explain how he is any different than Elise or what he even wants to do for the district.  Then, just before attacking the Stefanik family business, Derrick made the baseless claim that Elise is anti-Pell grant, which is completely unsubstantiated.

This didn’t go unnoticed by the Glen Falls Post-Star, which wrote on Derrick’s attacks that Stefanik is somehow “anti-Pell grant.”  When they asked Derrick to explain his claims, Derrick refused:  “Listen, I am about to step into a meeting. I’m going to have to get back to you,” Derrick said, when contacted at about 11 a.m. on Tuesday.  Asked if he could call back after 1:30 p.m., Derrick said, “I’ve got a pretty crazy day. So we’ll see what we can do here.”  He had not called back as of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Here’s three possible reasons why Derrick is now refusing to back up his attacks against Elise:

Reason 1:  Glens Falls Post-Star: Stefanik wants to reinstate ‘Year Round Pell’, May 1, 2015
Reason 2:  Stefanik Website:  Stefanik Introduces the Flexible Pell Grant for 21st Century Students Act, July 23, 2015
Reason 3:  Glens Falls Post-Star:  Stefanik co-sponsors higher education laws, July 27, 2015

NRCC Comment:  “If Mike Derrick wants to personally attack Elise Stefanik, her family business and her record before and during her time in Congress, he should at least make sure he knows what he’s talking about.  As the youngest woman ever elected to Congress, Elise understands the importance of an affordable college education, which is why she’s fighting to make college more affordable for lower and middle class families through year-round Pell grants.” -NRCC Spokesman Chris Pack