By Howard Koplowitz
Bob Turner is demanding state Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) make an apology after his congressional campaign said a robo-call that former Mayor Ed Koch made on behalf of Turner is “annoying and deliberately misleading.”
Turner, a retired businessman running on the Republican line, launched the automated calls last week in which an angry-sounding Koch accused Weprin of “scaring seniors” by saying Turner wants to cut Social Security and Medicare.
“I’m calling to set the record straight on something,” Koch says in the phone call. “David Weprin is making phone calls trying to scare seniors. They’re nonsense. Weprin should be ashamed of himself. Bob Turner is running to protect your Medicare and Social Security.
“If anyone tries to scare you with lies about Bob Turner, tell ’em Ed Koch told them to knock it off,” Koch says.
Weprin’s campaign characterized the call as “annoying and misleading,” maintaining Turner is in favor of cutting Medicare and Social Security.
“David Weprin owes Mayor Koch and immediate apology,” Turner said Tuesday. “Ed Koch is a New York icon who deserves respect. The mayor calls things as he sees them — and he sees David Weprin engaged in inappropriate politicking. The people of New York deserve better than that, and so does Ed Koch.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
