John Catsimatidis | Red Apple Media Owner & Operator Recaps His Star-Studded Weekend on The Hamptons

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They learned very well from their father, and they're doing great jobs. They really are. So, as you know, John, I'm not just friendly with Bruce Blakeman. He's not just on the show. I'm not just endorsing him. I'm taking a very active role in his campaign. We talk every day, a couple times a day. My son, Gabriel, as you know, John, works for Bruce Blakeman in his office as an intern, and I really want him to win. So I know you had Kathy Hinkle speak at those great breakfast you guys put on. I saw the videos look like a huge event. Julie Menon was there and many, many other public officials at this big breakfast on Saturday morning. How did it go with the current governor? Well, she is the governor. And not only, usually we have the entire back part of the restaurant for about 80 to 100 people. We had both sides of the restaurant this time, and she had to speak from the middle of the restaurant. And look, and I had warned everybody that was coming the week before, look, she is the governor. No matter where you like her, you don't like her, you got to be civilized. And we had a lot of important people there. We had the people flew up from Palm Beach, the bishop from Palm Beach came up to give a prayer. I saw that. Yeah. And the Julie Menom was there, like you said. Now, the only time I got a little nervous. I mean, the lieutenant governor, Betsy McCoy, do you remember what she did to Governor Pataki? When Governor Pataki was giving his inaugural speech or whatever, she stood up next to him. Yep. Well, five minutes into a Governor Hocco's speech, well, Betsy McCleigh gets up and stands four feet away. Oh, God. Four feet away from the governor. Oh, God. I started looking at the governor's husband and Tucker Carlson Green and Todd Josh Shapiro. And I said, what are we getting ourselves into now? But I must say, everybody was civilized, and Betsy McCoy was civilized. But by the way, Betsy McCoy, that's what politics is all about. Yeah, I think. Argue with everybody. Yeah. They disagree on different policies, but be civilized to each other. I think Betsy McCoy's wanting for governor in Connecticut anyway, right? No, she had to pull out because she, there's a technicality in, she pulled out because of a technicality in Connecticut. But look, she's a smart lady, but she did the right thing and was very civilized. Did Governor Kathy Hochul walk up to you and say, please send my regards to your morning show host?

Absolutely not. You know, you know what I enjoyed this morning? I knew that was the answer. What I enjoyed this morning was, I know you're still close with the former vice president, Mike Pence. And I played a cut earlier today. Something I've been saying, you know it, John, for a long time. There's no such thing anymore as a common sense Democrat. It's a unicorn. It's a cute saying that don't exist. There's one. His name is John Fetterman. So I was really happy to see, I'm talking about people serving now, not retired people like Governor David Patterson. So it's nice to see Tom Cotton say that same exact thing with Mark Levin on Saturday night. And listening to Mike Pence with you, he kind of said the same thing. He said, look, Republicans aren't perfect. They're not perfect. But the Democrats have completely lost their minds. They have completely lost their minds, and I am so much disappointed in major, major people in the Democratic Party endorsing that lunatic in Michigan and that lunatic in Minnesota that's going to run. And I mean... All we want is common sense. And I think the only way that the Democratic Party is going to learn that is they lose 49 states like they did in 1984. Remember that? I do. Reagan. You're too young. No, I remember. No, no. No, I was 17. It was Ronald Reagan. And I do remember it. Yes. I'll tell you. But. But. Nobody's, well, somebody got up yesterday. I don't know. I didn't read the story. I saw the headline. Some common sense Democrats put up $15 million to fight the Democratic Socialist Committee. And the Democratic Socialist Committee is not that big. But guess what? They know how to wage war. Yeah. Great point. You know exactly right. Yes, they know how to wage war and they know how to go up to weak Democrats. Look them in the eye and said, we're going to take you down. Okay? You remember what I did that guy that tried to pick him in my home. I know. You were great. You were great. I looked at him. I took him. I grabbed his arm. I held on to it. I said, make sure they take the photograph of us because the facial recognition equipment will know in five minutes who the hell you really are. You were great that day. I was standing right next to you outside your home when you did that. But you were actually very good because you were stern in your point, but you're also very, very friendly. And you cooled down that temperature, John, to your credit, literally in five minutes. I was impressed. I thought it was going to get a little hectic there, but you did an excellent job, which, by the way, brings me to this. One of the things I enjoy most on the station, it's a new feature. I'm not patronizing you. I'm not blowing smoke your way. I really enjoy the Cat's Corner.

I really enjoyed a lot. It's great stuff. Well, we put it out, and the entire, the Salem network is running it countrywide, and we're running it. And you know what the Cat's Corner is saying? In one minute or less, common sense. And that's what we're trying to put through common sense in one minute or less. And it's important. Now, sit, whenever you're out in the Hamptons again, we always would love to have you speak at the breakfast that we have, governors, presidents, vice president, side one time or another. I'd love to. I'd be honored. I'm serious. I would love to do that. I'd be honored to speak at your event. the biggest names in the country. Honestly, I appreciate that. I would love to do that. I will be back in the Hamptons again, maybe even this weekend, maybe even Friday. But I'll talk to you about that in the office later on, John. One more for you. We're only a couple of weeks away from 9-11. And, you know, I've got a couple of really brave men coming up in about 40 minutes. Both lost their wives, murdered back on 9-11. And we have this... Incredible gala every year that ABC puts on. It's the highlight of the year. It's always beautiful, Chippriani's. And this year, it just so happens. It falls on that exact night. I know we're going to honor Governor Pataki, but tell all the folks out there what it's going to be like 9-11 with us at the gala coming up that Friday night. Well, we're going to have the most spectacular gala of the last five years. All the people that came the last five years, this gala is going to be even more spectacular. We're celebrating the five years. We're celebrating the leadership of Governor Pataki at that period of time that he helped bring New York back. and rebuild all those buildings that are there now. And he had the courage to make sure you put up the state's money to have the World Trade Center rebuilt again. And we're honoring Cardinal Dolan for the last, what is it, 16 or 18 years of providing moral leadership. to our city and our state. And he became a national figure. And religious politics is religious politics. You know, he still has the title of Cardinal, even though he's not in the seat of power. But people love him. And don't forget, it is 9-11. We have very many VIPs going to be in New York that day. I am not allowed for security reasons to say. Who else may show up that day? Can I take a guess? No, I'm kidding. 9-11, you should be with us. It's going to be, as John just pointed out, and I love Cardinal Dolan. I do. No disrespect to Ronald Hicks, but I love Cardinal Dolan. It's going to be a wonderful night. Go to the website, wabcc.com. Learn more, and you can be there. Be there with us, John Katz, Matidis, me, and...

Many, many big-time people, maybe some very, very big-time people. John is always an amazing job here on this Monday morning. Safe trip in. We love you. We'll all be listening at 5 o'clock this afternoon, John. Thank you so much. Thank you. And keep fighting for New York. Keep fighting for America and keep fighting for the world. You do, too. We're a nice one-to-punch. John Katz, Matidis, and Sid Rosenberg. Thank you for that, John. John, every day, 5 o'clock alongside Reader Cosby. It's the Cats and Cosby show. amazing guests, the catch round table. Thanks for listening to Sit and Friends in the Morning. You can hear Sid and Friends in the Morning, weekday mornings at six. If you like the podcast, share it with your friends, and listen anytime at wabcradio.com and download the Wabc Radio app. Hit that subscribe button on all major podcast platforms. Plus, follow WABC on social, on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X. See you next time for a new episode, so you never have to wonder. What the- heck is going on here?