FRANKLY SPEAKING: THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Radio Host Frank Morano Battles Nasty Politics, Party Labels, and Cancel Culture in NYC’s Most Conservative District
NOTE: This post first appeared on NYNewsPress.com.
By Richard Luthmann
“Whichever Will Help You More”
In 1960, Republican Presidential Candidate Richard Nixon famously quipped to down-ballot candidates, “I will come out for you or against you, whichever will help you more.”
That line has haunted every pragmatist in politics since.
Frank Morano might not quote Nixon, but he lives the line. And if Nixon were alive today, he’d recognize Frank for what he is—a smart, streetwise operator trying to navigate Staten Island’s unpredictable political swamp.
That’s probably why Roger Stone endorsed him. Not because he’s Trump 2.0 or MAGA. But because Frank was a producer on Get Me Roger Stone, the 2017 documentary that immortalized the dirty trickster. Frank understands the power of persuasion and personality.
That’s politics.
Frank’s no ideologue. He’s no lifer. In the Special Election, he’s not running to impress MAGA, appease the left, or kiss the ring of either party. Heck, he became a Republican exactly four months before Joe Borelli and Vinny Ignizio arranged for his endorsement.
That pragmatism is exactly why he’s catching flak from all sides.
He’s being called a “Nazi.” He’s being branded a “Democrat.” He’s neither.
Frank is a talented radio guy with a brain, a Rolodex, and a belief in letting people speak their peace. A rare thing these days.
I won’t say “vote for Frank Morano.” I no longer live on Staten Island. I can’t even vote—thanks to DINO Mike McMahon’s lawfare and RINO Ron Castorina’s lies. But Frank was my friend then. He still is. In my book, that counts for something.
Frankly Speaking: A Reform Party Legacy, and a Real One
Frank Morano and I shared the trenches. When I was Law Chair of the Reform Party of New York, Frank was the Secretary. Curtis Sliwa, now a clownish re-run for mayor, was Chairman.
We were independents—true ones. I used to be a Democrat. We backed candidates from any party. We endorsed based on merit, not ideology.
Frank stuck to those values. Even when it wasn’t easy, he supported RFK Jr. in 2024. Not Trump. Not Biden. A smart, outside-the-box pick.
He switched over when Bobby did.
He didn’t back Trump in 2016 either. Not initially.
Then, Curtis threw his lot behind Gary Johnson. I thought that was nuts—Curtis was clearly more stoned than Gary Johnson ever was.
Frank wasn’t a joiner. He was a student of the game.
Frank read. He studied policy. He listened. He kept an open mind. That’s what makes him dangerous to political hacks and party bosses who want rubber stamps, not thinkers.
And when I went to prison? Frank stayed. When others—Curtis Sliwa, Diane Savino, Kamillah Hanks, Ron Castorina—ran for the hills, Frank didn’t.
That’s loyalty. That’s rare. And for me, that’s everything.
Frankly Speaking: Morano vs. Fossella
Frank’s biggest obstacle in the April 29 special election? The Fossella name and machine. Griffin Fossella, the son of Staten Island Borough President and ex-Congressman Vito Fossella, is his opponent in this week’s special election and in the June Republican primary.
Griffin is young, energetic, and backed by big names like billionaire conservative John Catsimatidis. He would also do a great job.
He’s got the family name and the party apparatus. The Fossella family may be the only political name that is universally adored by both the Trumps and the Clintons. Bubba had nothing but accolades for “Uncle Frank,” and Vito was at Mar-a-Lago last month for dinner, seated next to the cordon.
Vito called Griffin the “only true Republican in the race.” He has a point. The ink on Frank’s Republican voter registration is barely dry.
He was a longtime independent. Before that, he worked with the now-defunct Reform and Independence Parties.
He’s never been a Nazi, and he’s never been a Democrat. He has been an independent and has supported both sides.
But who cares?
The April 29 election is nonpartisan. There’s no “R” or “D” on the ballot. It’s about the person, not the party. Staten Islanders know that. And they know Frank.
He’s not a label. He’s not a slogan. He’s not a puppet. He’s Frank.
I know this playbook. They used it on me. They said I controlled the “Chinese Mafia,” tried to kidnap people, and threatened judges. They locked me up for memes. And who backed that play? The political hacks and goons.
Frank didn’t. He sent me books while I was in jail and has me on his radio show. And he always returns my calls, though I’ve left him alone since he announced.
So if you believe in loyalty, independence, free speech, and the right to call out corruption wherever it hides, you might want to give Frank Morano a serious look.
Frankly Speaking: Vote for a Person, Not a Party
Frank’s not perfect. He’s not Trump. He’s not RFK. And he is not Curtis Sliwa, thankfully. But he’s also not a Fossella.
He’s Frank.
If the single most important thing to you at that ballot box is a Republican Party pedigree, Frank is not your guy.
He’s a talk radio junkie, a policy wonk, a Staten Island original He’s the guy who will ask the hard question He’s also the guy who won’t stop being your friend when it costs him nothing and gains him less.
He’s a pragmatist. That’s not a dirty word. It’s a rare one.
Frank would tell you the same thing I will: If you want a Staten Islander who thinks for himself, vote Frank.
But don’t vote based on headlines or hashtags. Vote for the person.
And in this case, that person—my friend—is Frank Morano.
Loyalty has no price. Nice piece. I applaud your effort in trying to help Frank. However Fosella has the name recognition. I will use a baseball analogy since we are in season.... 870,644 was the number of votes for Ken Griffey Jr. to make the All Star Game in 2010 when he retired before the game was ever played. He was batting .184 before retiring.