The New York Observer » Azi Paybarah

‘Days Are Numbered.’ Aide Says Caller Threatened Weprin

A political consultant has contacted the police after receiving a voice message from a man who said Democrat David Weprin's "days are numbered." Consultant Mary Simon was Weprin's finance director up until a month ago. She said she received the call on her cell phone Wednesday afternoon and alerted the State Troopers in the capital, Read More

Rupert’s Post Game: His Royal Pie-ness Story on Page SShhh

No one in News Corp.’s New York headquarters knew quite what to do when the pie landed on Rupert Murdoch. “The newsroom stopped,” said one person inside the Wall Street Journal offices at the time, where the hearing was being broadcast on the televisions in the bullpen. Outside, two NYPD cars were parked directly Read More

The Wedding Party! HRC Hosts a Same-Sex Marriage Celebration

When Republican State Senator Jim Alesi was introduced at the Human Rights Campaign party Tuesday night, celebrating last week's passage of same-sex marriage, the audience exploded with cheers and applause. "That's exactly what it sounded like when I went to church on Sunday," he said. The audience burst into laughter. Alesi didn't need to explain

Republicans Meet Today on Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Republicans will meet later today to decide whether the State Senate will have a vote on same-sex marriage, which currently is one vote shy of the 32 votes needed to pass. “We’re going to conference the language of the amendments,” said Republican Senate Leader Dean Skelos after meeting privately with Governor Cuomo. Asked if he Read More

The Honeymoaners! While Revs Fight Marriage, Cuomo Wants the Parade

On Monday afternoon, activists on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate flooded the third floor of the State Capitol, toting handmade signs, chanting rhyming slogans and singing religious songs in the fervent belief that after this week nothing would ever be the same. “If this passes, we will have Sodom and Gomorrah, literalized,” said Read More

Anthony Weiner’s 2012 Problem: A Younger, GOP Version of Himself

Anthony Weiner’s Republican opponents would seem to have one obvious advantage should they choose to challenge the embattled congressman in 2012: their to-date failure to distribute compromising photos of themselves (or parts of themselves) over the Internet. Read More

Ring of Fire: Bill de Blasio, Bloomberg Critic, Blares Protest Song

On a recent Tuesday afternoon, outside a firehouse on the north shore of Staten Island, Bill de Blasio slipped between a throng of sweaty, angry protesters and was quickly ushered to a microphone stand.

"This mayor loves to brag how devoted he is to the numbers," said Mr. de Blasio. "This is the fastest growing borough, Read More

City Hall Hellion: ‘Daily News’ Bureau Chief Erin Einhorn

Erin Einhorn, the new City Hall bureau chief for the Daily News, can seem confrontational even when she's being polite.

Take last month, when she referred to the City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, as "ma'am" at a press conference, prompting a testy reply: "You can call me Speaker." Ms. Quinn was still smarting from a series Read More

A Robocall Rampage from ‘Acid Trip’ Jack Davis Campaign

Just after 4 p.m. last Thursday, several New York City political reporters received an odd telephone call at their desks and on their cell phones.

"During your next election," insisted a woman's recorded voice, "when you are choosing which consultant to help you with your campaign mail, remember that Jim Spencer and the Campaign Network Read More

Roundup: Bloomberg Cuts, Reporters Fight

A history of funding for the NYC Department of Education, as presented by Mayor Bloomberg today, in City Hall.

2012: Lessons from GOP debate. [Anna Sale]

Budget Fight: "Two weeks ago the mayor and the governor had a long dinner on the Upper West Side. Perhaps today's quieter Read More

Cuomo Looks Forward to Helping Bloomberg Rebuild NYC Economy

In his budget presentation, Mayor Bloomberg pointed a critical finger at state and federal lawmakers who reduced their aid to the city.

In response, Governor Cuomo's spokesman, Josh Vlasto, emailed to say:

"Facing a historic deficit, Governor Cuomo passed a budget that included both tough choices and dramatic reforms to get the state's fiscal house in order. Read More

The Front Pages: Obama Above the Fold, Bin Laden Buried

President Obama's visit to Ground Zero yesterday was the image that led newspapers front pages in New York and around the country. The coverage decisions were complicated slightly by reports yesterday that Osama bin Laden had been plotting a new attack on Ground Zero in time for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 attacks.

The New York Read More

Morning Read: Obama, Ground Zero and New Yorkers

2012: 'Gangster politics.' [Kimberly Strassel]

Obama NYC: "When we say we will never forget, we mean what we say," the president told firemen in Midtown. [Mike Amon]

Obama NYC: "brief but somber visit." [Alison Bowen]

Obama NYC: "a solemn conclusion to one of New York's most emotional weeks since 9/11." [Erik Read More

Haberman’s New Web Column: The Day

New York Times columnist Clyde Haberman is taking his act to the Internet.
Haberman emailed friends this evening to announce that after a somewhat abrupt ending of his 16-year print column last month, he'll continue writing for The Times.
Haberman:
[S]tarting Monday I will begin a new column, offering my take on the day’s dominant news Read More

Roundup: ‘SafeHouse’

President Obama Lays Wreathe at Ground Zero. Photo Credit: William Alatriste
White House: Netanyahu to visit on May 20. [JTA]

WikiLeaks: WSJ launches its Read More