The way you test this is by finding a GOP candidate who stands naked in his door flashing the disability van driver when she goes by.
Long Island town council candidate Kevin Sabella Sr., a Republican stalwart and pillar of his community (Knights of Columbus, church, etc.), has allegedly dropped such a case in our laps.
“Babylon Town Council candidate Kevin Sabella Sr. let it all hang out just months before voters head to the polls — allegedly exposing himself from his front door on several occasions as a special needs van carrying a developmentally disabled passenger and his attendant drove by, the van driver claimed on social media and in an interview with The Post. Repulsive alleged footage of the peep show on Wyona Avenue was shared with The Post by driver Victoria Lombardi,” the New York Post reported on Friday, June 10, 2023 (see story and footage here).
Yep, that’s right, she’s got him on video, and he’s admitted it (“I understand the mistake I made, and want to apologize to anyone my actions may have affected,” he told the Post), so I guess we can drop “allegedly.”
Initial reactions reported by the Post weren’t encouraging, i.e., when a reporter began asking around, “An unnamed neighbor screamed ‘you’re disgusting'” (at the reporter) “and defended Sabella as ‘the most loving caring citizen and he cares about everyone.’”ss
However, a few days later, a local TV station reported (here), “Babylon’s Republican Committee told Eyewitness News they would no longer support Sabella Sr. in his run.” So, the local Republicans have withdrawn their endorsement; but note the news story doesn’t say they criticized him.
Maybe they did, and the reporter just didn’t put it in her story, so to check, I went to the horse’s mouth (photo, right): The BRC’s website (here), and from there to their “Latest News” page (here). Nope, nothing, nada, zip, not a word.
So, while it appears Republicans interested in winning elections will distance themselves from a GOP candidate who flashed a disability van driver, they won’t criticize him.
It appears the ironclad rule that a Republican must never criticize another Republican is still intact.