In response, Pataki said Clinton hadn't voiced similar outrage over recent controversial comments from Democrats, including national chairman Howard Dean's disparaging remarks about Republicans and Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin's invocation of Nazis and Soviet gulags in a speech about the U.S. military installation at Guantanamo Bay.


"I think it's a little hypocritical of Senator Clinton to call on me to repudiate a political figure's comments when she never asked Senator Durbin to repudiate his comments," Pataki said.


"Senator Clinton might think about her propensity to allow outrageous statements from the other side that are far beyond political dialogue -- insulting every Republican, comparing our soldiers to Nazis or Soviet gulag guards -- and never protesting when she serves with them," Pataki said.


Michael Long, chairman of the state Conservative Party, called Rove's speech "excellent" and said the Democrats' criticism only proved Rove correct.
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Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged both sides to cool their rhetoric, saying, "We owe it to those we lost to keep partisan politics out of the discussion and keep alive the united spirit that came out of 9/11." New York state Democratic chairman Herman Farrell said the Republican mayor's "utter failure to repudiate Karl Rove's ugly and divisive comments demonstrates yet again that he is willing to put his loyalty to the White House ahead of his commitment to New York.

I hope 9/11 families and the survivors remember this, as well as those with family members serving in combat.

Remember how that turd Pataki sat there and laughed while Karl Rove stood there and insulted New York. Notice how Mike Bloomberg won't say dick either. While your sons are fighting and dying in Afghanistan and Iraq, that little bastard impuned their patriotism and service to their country. Immigrants, first responders, men who walked away from careers, without consideration of politics, but were among the few who answer the call of their country. Karl Rove just slandered them as Mike Long and George Pataki laughed.

Rove who has never served anyone but his wallet, thinks its funny to mock American fighting men. We need to remind Mr. Rove and his bosses that an entire division of New Yorkers, democrats and republicans, independents and right to life, are serving in Iraq. I don't think the 9 men who died within a week in the 69th Regiment were thinking about politics. They were New York Guardsmen and they were serving their country.

Ask Pataki when his kids are planning to join the Guard in Iraq, he thinks it's so funny, or is avoiding service in time of war a family tradition.

Because Rove's comments are not about mere offense. He has insulted those who died on 9/11, those who worked at Ground Zero and those serving in combat And we need to ask him and those who refuse to repudiate what he said, why they think the couirage and bravery of New Yorkers is defined by party enrollment.

I think Mr. Rove will find the reaction to his comments to be far harsher than he expects.