Weiner's Approach to a Special Interest

Here’s a clip from a breakfast in Lower Manhattan this morning hosted by the Hispanics in Real Estate and Construction, where likely mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner conceded nothing on what one organizer said was “one of the most important items on our agenda.”

After Weiner reintroduced his plan to create a non-profit czar to help entrepreneurs work with city agencies, he fielded a question from Peter Fontanes, the founder of the group’s New York chapter.

“Believe it or not, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they actually raised money to build a $4 million state-of-the-art business center specifically for the Hispanic business community. And I think we need one here,” Fontanes said. “I think it’s almost embarrassing we don’t have such a center here.”

Fontanes added, “I hope when you get to Gracie Mansion that that would be something on top of your list.”

Weiner’s response?

“You’re an idea guy and I’m an ideas guy. We should do just fine together,” said the congressman, shaking Fontanes hand. It wasn't quite a no. But it was pretty close.

Afterward, I asked Weiner about it.

“I think there’s this false notion that you’ve got to carve out positions for certain sectors when, in fact, there are great things going on in a lot of communities,” he said.

Give him credit: He's been consistent.