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Edward KocheEdward Koche
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Session:         Page of 617

Q:

Now, on the Assembly race, your opponent was Bill Passannante.

Koch:

Yes, Bill Passannante, who, as I think I've said, beat not only me in the primary but in the general election that year beat my ultimate opponent in Congress, Whitney North Seymour, Jr., known as “Mike” Seymour, so he's the only guy who can say he beat the two of us, but he's still in Albany and I'm in Washington.

Q:

Now, is it true that in the previous Assembly election, Passannante was endorsed by the VID, 1960?

Koch:

I think so, I think so, because they couldn't find anybody to run against him. He had a good record. I want to point that out, that Bill Passannante has had a better record than most Assemblymen. He himself is no great shakes. He's not a reader and intellectually he leaves much to be desired, but he has a good record, and in fact has taken some courageous positions vis-a-vis his own community -- against parochial aid I believe at that time. I happen to be for parochial aid at this time, but I have changed.

Q:

You were not at that time.

Koch:

No, no. He probably is still against it. (laughs) He doesn't grow.

Q:

Is he a practicing Catholic?





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