Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, a Democrat, came to Kingston on Wednesday to announce he was crossing party lines and endorsing Republican George Phillips in the state's 22nd Congressional District race over incumbent Democrat Maurice Hinchey.

Koch said that, as was the case in 2004, when he endorsed Republican George W. Bush for president, he disagrees with the GOP on virtually all domestic issues but favors the party (and, by extension, Phillips) for its stand on foreign policy matters, particularly those pertaining to Israel and the fight again terrorism.

Just one problem: Every major poll this year has found people's votes in the upcoming midterm elections are being driven by domestic issues (principally the economy and jobs). So whether he realizes it or not, Koch, while endorsing Phillips, told the electorate he thinks the would-be congressman is not qualified to solve the problems that are foremost in voters' minds.