Reactions to Carrion for Comptroller: Ferrer, Thompson, Katz, Etc.
Some reactions from the 2009 circuit to Adolfo Carrion’s entry into the comptroller’s race:
Fernando Ferrer, the most recent Hispanic candidate to run for mayor, told me via cell phone, “Well look, I think that he’s staked out for himself a race where he’s going to be a dominant figure.”
Asked if he was disappointed that Carrion would not be seeking the mayor's office, Ferrer replied, “I’ve just given you my comments.”
Bill Thompson, whose (still unofficial) mayoral bid got the biggest boost from Carrion’s decision, said in a public statement, “Adolfo Carrion has distinguished himself as a leader and an accomplished public servant. He would be a formidable candidate for any citywide position that he seeks.”
Fellow comptroller candidate Melinda Katz welcomed Carrion to the race, and pointedly noted in a public statement, “This is a job I’ve been training for 20 years–from my time as a mergers & acquisitions lawyer, to my work on the state budget in the Assembly, to expanding economic development for the entire city during my tenure as Chair of the Land Use Committee.”
More than once after Carrion's speech Bronx Democratic County Leader Jose Rivera told reporters, “I believe Adolfo can be mayor in eight years.”
Roberto Ramirez, who attended the breakfast where Carrion announced, told me, “I’m just a student of politics. You should ask him,” and pointed at the candidate.
A spokesman for David Yassky’s comptroller campaign declined to comment.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 47.0
- 43.8
- Obama +3.2
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 56.4
- 35.2
- +21.2
- McCain
- 54.4
- 37.0
- +17.4
This is a joyous day for all New Yorkers. As you know my name, Simcha, means joy in Hebrew. I am a big fan of Adolfo Carrion and look forward to joining him in a spirited debate about the substance of the Office of Comptroller - audits, city finances, pension investments and even about the claims that are filed by those suing the City. I doubt if most of the candidates understand these details about the office they are seeking. I will give them lessons for free.
"Asked if he was disappointed that Carrion would not be seeking the mayor's office"
Is that what they teach you in journalism school? Is that what you think people want to know?
Maybe you could ask Freddy something comptrollery ... like something about debt and so on. This could have been the Mayor in 2005, so chances are he knows something about that. Man, you're no better than the Hollywood entertainment tabloids.
Carrion is an urban planner by profession, was a City Council Member and is now Bronx Borough President. He's also a nice guy, i.e., someone you could feel comfortable talking with over lunch. And unlike DiNapoli did when he was first chosen to be State Comptroller, expect Carrion to display a much sturdier grasp of City-related fiscal issues.
Carrion can raise money and has an attractive public persona that will appeal to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds. He also has a base of support: the Bronx County Democratic Party and many Bronx voters, especially Latinos.
Unless he stumbles badly, he could easily become the frontrunner in this race.
One thing is apparently clear about Carrion announcing his candidacy for Comptroller yesterday: both his campaign and the Bronx Democratic County have no one with any political know-how/instincts/vision since the announcement was made on the same day Sen. Mitchell released his report on the baseball steriods era.
Couldn't they (Carrion's people and County)realize that such a major announcement would be buried somewhere in the middle of all newspapers and possibly not get any media attention? If Carrion wants to win, he, along with County, better realize that they will need more sophisticated technicians calling the shots. Only then will they be able to transition from a Mickey Mouse operation to a well-oiled machine.