{"id":2683717,"date":"2026-10-14T10:24:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T14:24:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hochul-stumbles-in-debate-opening-statement-and-republican-opponent-bruce-blakeman-pounces\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T10:27:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T14:27:21","slug":"hochul-stumbles-in-debate-opening-statement-and-republican-opponent-bruce-blakeman-pounces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hochul-stumbles-in-debate-opening-statement-and-republican-opponent-bruce-blakeman-pounces\/","title":{"rendered":"Hochul Stumbles in Debate Opening Statement and Republican Opponent Bruce Blakeman Pounces"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhochul-stumbles-in-debate-opening-statement-and-republican-opponent-bruce-blakeman-pounces%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2683717&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The transcript discusses a televised debate between Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman. Hochul struggled during her opening remarks, appearing unprepared and hesitant, which prompted criticism from viewers and experts. Blakeman focused his attacks on Hochul\u2019s handling of various issues, including immigration and crime, particularly criticizing her response to an incident involving an <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >illegal immigrant gang member<\/a>. Hochul attempted to shift the discussion toward the economy and her record, but faced pushback from Blakeman, who criticized her policies as costly and ineffective. Post-debate analysis described Hochul\u2019s performance as &#8220;a deer in headlights,&#8221; with some commentators noting that Blakeman gained momentum early by emphasizing immigration and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-business-groups-back-trumps-gas-pipeline-expansion\/\" title=\"New ... business groups ... Trump&#039;s gas pipeline expansion\">high utility costs<\/a>. Hochul\u2019s debated performance was viewed unfavorably, highlighting her difficulties in articulating her record and responding to attacks.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (REP_0)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A televised debate on Tuesday evening between Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman started off noticeably rough for the incumbent governor.<\/p>\n<p>During her opening remarks, Hochul repeatedly stumbled over her words.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNew York state now has the lowest crime rates it\u2019s had in modern history,\u201d she began confidently enough. \u201cNow, we\u2019re not done yet, and you\u2019re going to hear a lot of\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After a momentary but very <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/watch-letitia-james-goes-silent-10-seconds-asked-simple-debate-question-opponent-drives-home-dagger\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">conspicuous pause<\/a>, she continued, \u201cWell, a lot of\u2026 different opinions here this evening.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Kathy Hochul is barely able to get out her opening statement at this debate.<\/p>\n<p>Almost sounds like someone who doesn\u2019t want to face the facts on what she\u2019s done to New York as governor. https:\/\/t.co\/sd9MnEEKar<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AndrewKolvet\/status\/2110146253107466482?\">October 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps buoyed by her hesitation and stumbling, Blakeman proceeded to rip into the governor throughout the remainder of the debate.<\/p>\n<p>Blakeman, who serves as the 10th County Executive of Nassau County, New York, started by bashing Hochul over her response to the non-fatal shooting last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/maryland-dad-tx-illegal-ice-shot-libs-love-machete-wielding-menace-says-ex-neighbor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/video-ex-judge-cuffed-perp-walked-after-allegedly-housing-illegal-alien-gangbanger\/\" title=\"Video: Ex-Judge Cuffed, Perp Walked After Allegedly Housing Illegal Alien Gangbanger\">illegal alien gangbanger<\/a><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis guy came into the country illegally,\u201d Blakeman noted, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/new-york-governor-debate-heats-blakeman-hochul-spar-trump-sanctuary-status-ice-shooting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fox News<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s been convicted of a crime. He\u2019s got pending charges for dealing drugs, poison to our children. And he\u2019s a gangbanger. This is who Kathy Hochul is defending?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Stunningly, Hochul responded by chastising him for refusing \u201cto condemn what ICE did,\u201d which was to shoot and arrest a gangbanger.<\/p>\n<p>According to conservative political consultant Ryan James Girdusky, Hochul performed so badly during the debate that a Democrat who works for her described Blakeman \u201cmauling her.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">A Democrat who works for Hochul,<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBlakeman is mauling her\u2026 I\u2019m gonna have to knock on doors at this rate\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RyanGirdusky\/status\/2110156964470706521?\">October 13, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Later in the debate, Hochul tried to pivot toward attacking the Trump administration over the economy, but Blakeman quickly pushed back by directing the focus back onto her <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/fifteen-ny-sheriffs-sue-kathy-hochul-new-anti-ice-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">questionable track record<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou like to talk about Donald Trump all the time, because you don\u2019t want to talk about your record because it\u2019s a record of misery and failure,\u201d he insisted. \u201cThe highest taxes, utility rates that are 70 percent higher than the national average.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Speaking with the <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/10\/14\/us-news\/hochul-looked-like-a-deer-in-the-headlights-during-ny-gov-debate-against-blakeman-body-language-expert\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York Post<\/a> after the debate, body-language expert Dr. Lillian Glass said that Hochul looked like \u201ca deer in headlights\u201d during most of the debate. Glass was particularly critical of the governor\u2019s opening remarks.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt did not come off well, especially for somebody who is an incumbent governor,\u201d she said, adding that it showed a lack of preparation. \u201cNot good. Not a good look.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Blakeman\u2019s three best moments vs. Hochul at the NY governor debate: Mamdani, the $8 billion, and utility bills. \u201cBecause of you, Kathy.\u201d https:\/\/t.co\/ZvcWo0Y1Rn<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Sean Hannity \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@seanhannity) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/seanhannity\/status\/2110333427220402233?\">October 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>E. O\u2019Brien \u201cObi\u201d Murray, a political consultant and campaign manager, agreed with the \u201cdeer in headlights\u201d criticism.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHochul showed why she doesn\u2019t want to debate; she is out of practice,\u201d he said to the <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/10\/14\/us-news\/hochul-blakeman-square-off-in-only-ny-gov-debate-who-won-and-who-lost\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York Post<\/a>. \u201cShe was a deer in the headlights from the opening statements and back on her heels for the remainder of the debate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Murray added that Blakeman\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/influential-democratic-donor-ditches-kathy-hochul-backs-republican-opponent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best moments<\/a> came when he focused on immigration at the beginning of the debate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe dominated the first 15 minutes talking immigration and high energy costs in New York State,\u201d Murray said. \u201cThat\u2019s what most viewers would see before they lost interest.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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Hochul struggled early, stumbling over her words and facing tough questions from challenger Blakeman<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2683718,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-10-14T095646.944.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[68482,3896,40275,8433,36160],"class_list":["post-2683717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-bruce-blakeman","tag-debate","tag-gubernatorial-race","tag-hochul","tag-political-controversy"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Ben-Working-Feature-Image-2026-10-14T095646.944.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2683717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2683717"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2683717\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2683729,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2683717\/revisions\/2683729"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2683718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2683717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2683717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2683717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}