Anthony Weiner and the Enemy Within
Here’s Representative Anthony Weiner responding to a question about his management skills--and his reputation for high staff turnover--yesterday at the Crain’s business breakfast, which was before the New York Times story reported that he has run through more staff than any other member of the New York House delegation.
“I think I’m tough but I’m fair,” he said, adding, “And I'm cheap.”
In the story, Weiner chalks up his attitude to growing up in Brooklyn as a middle-class kid (always on message!).
City Councilman Lew Fidler, who also grew up middle-class in Brooklyn (and supported Freddy Ferrer over Weiner in the 2005 mayor’s race) told me, “I push my employees too and I haven’t had any turnover in six years. So, I don’t know why the two were necessarily linked.”
When asked how important Weiner's temperament will be during the next mayoral campaign, which Weiner is considered a major candidate for, Fidler said it’s tricky. He then recalled an early episode of Star Trek, where Captain Kirk was somehow split into two versions of himself: one was good with a pleasant disposition, the other was bad and had loud angry outbursts. According to Fidler, Kirk‘s ability to govern the crew and make decisions came from his bad and irrational half.
Which led Fidler to this: a solitary issue doesn't define someone. “You can’t isolate that character trait and say whether or not someone will be a good mayor,” he said.
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 49.3
- 43.3
- Obama +6.0
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 56.0
- 35.8
- +20.2
- McCain
- 51.8
- 40.2
- +11.6
Now I know why Cong. Weiner isn't married yet. He just confessed...He's Cheap. No rational woman wants a husband like that. Another observation I see down the road. His "toughness but fair" doctrine , reminds me of our former Governor, Mr. Spitzer. He was the "F#^&ING Steamroller."
4 get about his personality why not report on what a fake this guy is. He does a report on losing business to NJ when he is the one responsible for Jersey development.
He opposed the Westside Jets Stadium and said a new home for the team would be built in Queens. Does the Congressman understand that the new home of the Jets in NJ will include neighboring office building that will draw businesses from NYC?
There will be as many office buildings near the new stadium as there are by the present Yankee, Shea & Giants stadiums - O!
I have had the privelege of being on Congressman Weiner's staff and to have served the people of the City of New York through his good office. It should be no shame to serve the Commonweal with the last and full measure of strength one has every day one is an elected official.Congressman Weiner attacks every issue and every day with the enthusiasim,energy and intelligence one would expect of a son of Brooklyn and the product of New York City politicts.You can often visit his DC and district offices late at night and see the dedication of his staff and the level of performance he demands of himself and staff. There be no shame in that.If there would be a triatholon event in politicts he would be the gold medal winner hands down. Brookly and Queens has admired his service to them as their elected official.I pray that G-D gives him the strength and wisdom serve our whole City with his undiminished devotion to its citizens.
Respectfully,
Morton Avigdor,Esq.
Mr. Avigdor,
You have several misspellings in your comments. I don't think that is a good indication of the stellar level of performance coming from a Weiner staff member.
I was a supporter of Weiner for Mayor, until this news broke. However, unconfirmed, I will suspend my final decision until I hear more of what he will do for this City as Mayor.
Such micromanagement and not trusting his staff to carry out the details, clearly demonstrates that he does not wholeheartedly believe in his current staff, no matter how well they may actually be performing.
Sometimes, you just have to let things go. Not sure how Weiner will micromanage the City… that never sleeps.