Now We Know Why the Watertown Post Endorsed Anthony Constantino
By Hans Wilder
West Palm Beach, Florida
The Watertown Post made its endorsement in New York’s 21st Congressional District Republican primary, and after watching Wednesday night’s debate, we have absolutely no regrets.
In the interest of transparency and journalistic ethics, readers should know exactly where we stand: The Watertown Post endorsed Anthony Constantino, and the closing moments of the debate helped illustrate one of the reasons why.
Politics can be rough. Campaigns can be nasty. Candidates can disagree on nearly everything under the sun. But there are still certain traditions that matter. One of those traditions is showing basic respect to your opponent after the debate is over.
According to video from the event, Anthony Constantino concluded his remarks by praising Assemblyman Robert Smullen’s military service. He spoke about his own family’s connection to military service and thanked the employees who stood by his company through political controversy and boycotts. Then, after the debate ended, he walked over and extended his hand.
Smullen refused to shake it.
Come on, man.
You don’t have to agree with your opponent. You don’t have to like your opponent. But refusing a handshake after a public debate sends a message whether you intended it to or not.
For many voters, leadership is not just about policy positions. It’s about temperament. It’s about composure. It’s about whether someone can disagree without becoming disagreeable.
Throughout the debate, Constantino presented himself as a businessman and political outsider willing to take criticism while making his case directly to voters. Smullen, meanwhile, appeared visibly frustrated during portions of the exchange and ultimately left viewers with an image that may prove difficult to erase: turning away from a simple gesture of sportsmanship.
The irony is that Constantino had just complimented his opponent’s military service moments earlier.
The race for NY-21 is ultimately about much more than a handshake. Voters will decide based on issues, experience, values, and vision for the district. But elections are also about character, and character often reveals itself in small moments when the cameras are still rolling.
Wednesday night provided one of those moments.
The Watertown Post endorsed Anthony Constantino because we believe he represents a fresh perspective, a job-creating business background, and an outsider approach that many voters in Northern New York find appealing. After watching the debate and its conclusion, that endorsement appears even more justified.
Agree or disagree with our position, at least you know where we stand.
And if you’re wondering what we thought when we watched the debate end?
Come on, man.
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