Congressman Chris Collins sure takes after his fellow New York resident Donald Trump when it comes to stretching the truth–and offending people. Rep. Collins apparently couldn’t believe people who were protesting Trump weren’t paid, argued people don’t die from prostate or breast cancer, and lied about making an offensive “lap dance” comment.
Nope, we didn’t make this up. Take a look:
CHRIS COLLINS LIED ABOUT ANTI-TRUMP PROTESTERS BEING PAID
Chris Collins on anti-Trump protesters: “What you are seeing is chapter two in the Democrat playbook. These are paid protesters.” “CUOMO: Talk about uniting, what do you make of what’s been going on at the Trump rallies? Do you think he should calm down his rhetoric when there are violence things going on in the crowd? COLLINS: Chris, what you are seeing is chapter two in the Democrat playbook. These are paid protesters. These are not spontaneous groups of people that have a pressing issue showing up at these rallies. Sure, there are a few of those what. But we are really seeing is the Democrats understanding the one person they know will beat Hillary Clinton is Donald Trump. And so they are going to pull out the stops. And these paid protesters showing up to disrupt Donald Trump’s rallies, to me it is chapter two in the Democrat playbook. It is a sad day of affairs for what we’ll call dirty politics. But that’s what we have. […] COLLINS: Yes. I think Chris it’s very well-known now that these are paid protesters, that the exact source of the funds, we all have our inclinations of where that money is coming from. But there is no question these are paid protesters. These are not a bunch of college kids showing up because, you know, they have an issue here or there.” [CNN, 3/15/16]
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Snopes: “The claims about a conspiracy to disrupt the Trump campaign lacked any real proof that such a campaign was actually afoot.” “The claims about a conspiracy to disrupt the Trump campaign lacked any real proof that such a campaign was actually afoot, much less that any figures such George Soros or Republican rival Ted Cruz were behind those efforts. Nearly all these claims pointed to the above-cited Craigslist ads as evidence, but all of those ads simply sought door-to-door canvassers during an election year; none of them advertised positions as paid agitators or protesters.” [Snopes, 3/15/16]
CHRIS COLLINS CLAIMED PEOPLE DON’T DIE FROM PROSTATE OR BREAST CANCER ANYMORE
Chris Collins: “People now don’t die from prostate cancer, breast cancer and some of the other things.” “‘People now don’t die from prostate cancer, breast cancer and some of the other things,’ Collins said. ‘The fact of the matter is, our healthcare today is so much better, we’re living so much longer, because of innovations in drug development, surgical procedures, stents, implantable cardiac defibrillators, neural stimulators — they didn’t exist 10 years ago. The increase in cost is not because doctors are making a lot more money. It’s what you can get for healthcare, extending your life and curing diseases.’” [The Batavian, 6/24/12]
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American Cancer Society: An estimated 577,190 people in the United States will die from cancer this year, including about 39,920 deaths from breast cancer and 28,170 from prostate cancer. “GOP congressional candidate Chris Collins knows health care is expensive these days, but he argues it’s for good reason: People are no longer dying from deadly forms of cancer. ‘People now don’t die from prostate cancer, breast cancer and some of the other things,’ he told The Batavian in an interview that was flagged Tuesday by City & State NY. Collins was discussing his desire to repeal Obamacare. ‘The fact of the matter is, our healthcare today is so much better, we’re living so much longer, because of innovations in drug development, surgical procedures, stents, implantable cardiac defibrillators, neural stimulators — they didn’t exist 10 years ago,’ he continued. ‘The increase in cost is not because doctors are making a lot more money. It’s what you can get for healthcare, extending your life and curing diseases.’ In fact, a lot of people do die from breast cancer and prostate cancer, despite advances in treatment. An estimated 577,190 people in the United States will die from cancer this year, including about 39,920 deaths from breast cancer and 28,170 from prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.” [The Huffington Post, 7/3/12]
CHRIS COLLINS LIED ABOUT MAKING AN INAPPROPRIATE “LAP DANCE” COMMENT
A spokeswoman for Chris Collins denied he told a woman in a crowded space: “I’m sure if you offer someone a lap dance, you can find a place to sit.” “Chris Collins may have put his foot in his mouth again, DN Capitol Bureau Chief Ken Lovett reports. After being forced to apologize to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver for comparing the Orthodox Jewish Democrat to Hitler and an anti-Christ, the Erie Council executive and gubernatorial hopeful made an off-color comment to a woman at Gov. Paterson’s State-of-the State address last week, two lawmakers claim. According to the two, an Erie County woman was looking for a seat in the packed chamber when Collins said: ‘I’m sure if you offer someone a lap dance, you can find a place to sit.’ Collins spokeswoman Jessica Proud said she was with the county executive the entire day while he was in Albany and did not hear the comment.” [NY Daily News, 12/18/10]
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Two Republican Assemblymen present at the time confirmed Collins made the “lap dance” comment. “But Assemblyman Joseph Errigo said he overheard the remark and thought it was completely inappropriate and unbecoming of someone who aspires to be governor. ‘I don’t care if he knows the woman or not, it’s just inappropriate,’ said Errigo. Errigo said had been undecided about whether to support Collins or Rick Lazio for governor, but now there’s no way he would back the county executive – even if he is the party’s nominee. ‘It shows a total lack of judgment,’ he said. ‘As a Republican, if that were my candidate, I would be totally embarrassed and I certainly wouldn’t be putting my name on any endorsement for him.’ Making matters worse, Errigo said Collins made a similarly crude remark to the woman at an event the night before the SoS at the Fort Orange Club that was hosted by Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb. The assemblyman said Collins also took shots at Lazio after his fellow Republican made the rounds and left. ‘I would almost consider him a novice,’ Errigo said of Collins. ‘It’s uncalled for.’ Another Assembly Republican, who is squarely in Lazio’s corner, also confirmed the comment. ‘It was an incredibly insensitive thing to do, especially for someone who wants to be the Republican gubernatorial candidate,’ the second lawmaker said.” [NY Daily News, 12/18/10]