The DiNapoli Question
The candidates running for the East Side Assembly seat being vacated by Pete Grannis were given a chance over the weekend to express their theoretical willingness to go against the party leadership in Albany by revealing which comptroller candidate they would have voted for if they were already in the Assembly.
At a closed-press event for Democratic leaders and candidates this Sunday, three Democratic candidates came up with three different answers, according to someone who was there.
Barry Klein, chief of staff to Assemblyman Jonathan Bing, said that he, like his boss, would have voted for the winner, Tom DiNapoli.
Susan Chamlin, an aide to Senator Liz Krueger, said that she, like her boss, would have voted for Martha Stark.
And Micah Kellner, an aide to NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson, said he thought that his boss would have been perfect for the job, but that he would have voted, if given the opportunity, for Howard Weitzman.
Remember, the Democratic nomination is voted on by county committee members (regular Democrats) but in Manhattan, everybody loves a reformer. So we may not have heard the end of this.
-- Azi Paybarah
Sounds like Klein was the only one to give a truthful answer.
So what else happened at that forum? And who looks to be the frontrunner?
At least Kellner can think for himself. The other two basically said they would have voted, gosh, just the same way their bosses did. They came off like ciphers. Just another reason why Kellner is steaming forward in this race.
Henry Stern commented after the forum that Kellner's answer on the Comptroller question was the best, and the most thoughtfully explained. Kellner dominated the Q & A -- he surprised a lot of people, and clearly came off as the best candidate on not only the local issues, but policy-wornk stuff like the City's no-bid contracts being handed out at the Department of Education.
Tough choice : Spitzer's love and the NY TIMES/NEWS/POST endorsements or Speaker Silver's love?
11:28. (Micah) please stop posting self-praise. It's wierd. I find it a little hard to believe that someone other than yourself knows the intricacies of this race well enough to declare that you, of all candidates, are "steaming" ahead of the rest of the field.
"At least Kellner can think for himself. The other two basically said they would have voted, gosh, just the same way their bosses did."
According to what I JUST READ Micah Kellner said he would have voted FOR HIS BOSS LOL
Anyone who trashes either Barry or Susan on here either does not know either of them very well, or is just plain scared. I know both, and both would be very well qualified to hold this seat.
Hey, 11:35 a.m., I'm not Micah -- he couldn't quote a Dead lyric if he tried. Stay tuned to your keyboard, my friend -- all will be revealed in due time. Today.
at least bryce from carolyn maloney's office isn't running. that guy is just plain obnoxious.
Too bad folks but DiNapoli IS the Comptroller so the question just DUMB. Move on.
Ask a loaded question, get a stupid answer. They'd all pander -- I wasn't in the room and I know that.
why are guys who admittedly know micah well, on here attacking barry? it does not reflect very well on him.
Barry's a great guy. This just wasn't the right race for him.
Or maybe it was a good way for him to lay some groundwork for the future.
Well, there you go: Chamlin, the canddidate who wouldn't promise to support the Democratic candidate for the East Side Assembly eat, would have voted for the Republican for comptroller. But, hey, it's all okay because they are both ---- shhhhhh! --- women.