Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo’s hand-picked LG running mate, Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy, was relentlessly on message following his comments at the Business Council’s annual meeting yesterday, stressing repeatedly that the campaign needs to “get back to the issues.”

He dismissed Carl Paladino’s now-reversed allegation that Cuomo cheated on his ex-wife, Kerry Kennedy, as “histrionics” and stuck instead to the fiscally conservative talking points that were the focus of the speech he delivered in the AG’s stead.

(Cuomo never did make it to the Business Council event in Bolton Landing, despite widespread speculation that he would do so).

“The messaging that goes on politically that tries to paint stereotypes of certain parties is all wrong,” Duffy said.

“I’m an elected Democrat. I’ve cut taxes. I’ve cut spending. I’ve reduced the workforce. I’ve consolidated. These are things that Andrew Cuomo is pushing that could turn around this state. Sometimes other would have you painted differently. I believe if you have to divert the campaign away from the issues to other things it weakens your position on those things that are of substance that are needed by the state.”

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