Close Stay up-to-date with
Observer.com Newsletters
Sign up for Observer Newsletters!
RSS Feed

Is Rudy Picking on a Weakling?

By Steve Kornacki | November 19, 2009 | 8:30 pm

It may turn out to be a red herring for the ages, but Thursday afternoon brought a report - citing a single, unnamed source - that Rudy Giuliani would within the next 48 hours announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Kirsten Gillibrand.Let's assume the... READ MORE»

Elsewhere: Cuomo Rising

By Jimmy Vielkind and Azi Paybarah | November 20, 2009 | 5:30 pm

Mark Page told agency heads that "head count reductions should generate additional fringe benefit savings." NARAL no longer considers Rudy Giuliani to be pro-choice. Andrew Cuomo raised $16... READ MORE»

Paterson Campaign Attacks Cuomo for 'Shadow' Operation

By Jimmy Vielkind | November 20, 2009 | 4:56 pm

David Paterson's campaign just attacked Andrew Cuomo's campaign for "plotting" in the "shadows," after a week's worth of reports about Cuomo's favorable poll standing, his quiet construction of a statewide campaign apparatus, his discussions about shaping a ticket around himself as governor and, today,... READ MORE»

Weiner's Message for (Some) Primary Losers

By Azi Paybarah | November 20, 2009 | 4:20 pm

In a City Hall News story about Anthony Weiner, this line caught my attention: "he sends a note to everyone who loses a primary in New York City." I contacted a couple of Democrats who've lost primaries to see if they'd heard from Weiner. Turns out, not many had. (One got a present, though.) Melinda Katz: "We don't recall any." Eric Gioia: "I don't think he sent me a letter. But he did buy me lunch, which... READ MORE»

Thompson's Thank You Note

By Azi Paybarah | November 20, 2009 | 4:18 pm

... READ MORE»

Democrats for Rudy?

By Steve Kornacki | November 20, 2009 | 3:44 pm

One reason that Steve Israel, Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler and every other New York Democrat who yearns to serve in the U.S. Senate someday may be particularly thankful next Thursday: Rudy Giuliani and his apparent readiness to challenge Kirsten Gillibrand next... READ MORE»

Angling for Finance Chair: Fidler, Recchia and Felder

By Azi Paybarah | November 20, 2009 | 2:51 pm

Last week, Crain's put out the names of two people from Brooklyn vying for the Finance Committee Chairmanship: Lew Fidler and Domenic Recchia. There's apparently another name to add to the mix: Simcha Felder, who I'm told has sent word to the speaker that he's interested in the... READ MORE»

Bloomberg to Talk Education in Washington

By Azi Paybarah | November 20, 2009 | 2:25 pm

Michael Bloomberg will join U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan in Washington Wednesday for a "frank discussion" hosted by the Center for American... READ MORE»

In Monserrate-Peralta Race, a Democratic Club Takes Its Time

By Azi Paybarah | November 20, 2009 | 1:03 pm

Jose Peralta has been racking up a string of early endorsements in his bid to oust Hiram Monserrate from the State Senate. But when the president of the JFK Democratic Club put forward a motion to endorse Peralta on Wednesday night--a full year before the election--there was an... READ MORE»

Delphic Chairman

By Jimmy Vielkind | November 20, 2009 | 12:06 pm

Ed Cox is an oracle, or maybe just a particularly effective... READ MORE»

Marist Pollster: Cuomo Has 'Clear Path' to Governor, Paterson Ads Not Working

By Jimmy Vielkind | November 20, 2009 | 11:17 am

A Marist Poll released today echoes other surveys showing Andrew Cuomo's relative impregnability, and shows that David Paterson's recent television ad blitz is not having an... READ MORE»

Professors Union Launches Newspaper Blitz

By Jimmy Vielkind | November 20, 2009 | 10:34 am

Late in the budget game, the NYSUT offshoot representing SUNY and CUNY faculty and staff is taking out ads in newspapers statewide aimed at parents with students returning for Thanksgiving, decrying proposed cuts which mean "she won't graudate on... READ MORE»

Morning Read: Bloomberg Raises, D.I.D. Splits

By Azi Paybarah | November 20, 2009 | 9:11 am

Rudy Giuliani doesn't need to be a public official, writes David Saltonstall. The fund-raiser Michael Bloomberg held for Alan Khazei last night could help him raise $250,000. 911 operators sometimes make... READ MORE»

Morning Read, Upstate: Senator Rudy?

By Jimmy Vielkind | November 20, 2009 | 9:05 am

Rudy Giuliani will not run for governor. He's leaning toward a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Kirsten... READ MORE»

Is Rudy Picking on a Weakling?

By Steve Kornacki | November 19, 2009 | 8:30 pm

It may turn out to be a red herring for the ages, but Thursday afternoon brought a report - citing a single, unnamed source - that Rudy Giuliani would within the next 48 hours announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Kirsten Gillibrand. Let's assume the news is... READ MORE»

What Giuliani Means for Paterson

By Jimmy Vielkind and Azi Paybarah | November 19, 2009 | 8:24 pm

One thing that disappears along with Rudy Giuliani's threats to run for governor: an excuse for Democrats to get rid of David... READ MORE»

Local Republicans Cheer Giuliani's Shift to National Stage

By Azi Paybarah | November 19, 2009 | 7:13 pm

Jimmy Oddo, the Republican leader in the City Council, sees Rudy Giuliani's reported decision to run for Senate instead of governor as an inevitable decision to take the path of least... READ MORE»

Elsewhere: Giuliani

By Jimmy Vielkind and Azi Paybarah | November 19, 2009 | 6:03 pm

Rudy Giuliani's spokeswoman denied he's running for Senate. He may want to, after seeing his poll numbers compared to Kirsten Gillibrand's. George Pataki may run... READ MORE»

The Legislature Has Left the Building

By Jimmy Vielkind | November 19, 2009 | 4:49 pm

ALBANY—It's official -- they're gone. The Assembly just recessed until Monday at 2 p.m. State Senators did not bother to gavel into session today; at least half a dozen of the members of the Democratic majority left last night. The Senate is expected to return to session Monday... READ MORE»

Rudy Drafter Says Other Gubernatorial Candidates Are Fine, Too

By Jimmy Vielkind | November 19, 2009 | 4:28 pm

ALBANY--So what's a Rudy Drafter to do now? "I've heard from one of his former commissioners when he was in City Hall that, in fact, Rudy has decided not to run for governor," said Craig Eaton, the Brooklyn Republican chairman. "I'm disappointed, because I was one of the first people to start that draft Rudy campaign. But there are other qualified candidates out... READ MORE»

Giuliani News Is News to Ed Koch

By Reid Pillifant | November 19, 2009 | 3:35 pm

What does Ed Koch think about the Times' report that Rudy Giuliani won't be running for... READ MORE»