NY Observer > Michael Benjamin

Early Obama Supporter Michael Benjamin Says the Party's Not Divided

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:45:16 -0400

Assemblyman Michael Benjamin, an early Obama supporter from the Bronx, thinks the media is perpetuating a storyline about conflict between the Obama camp and the Clintons. It doesn't really exist, he told me earlier today in the Pepsi Center.

Later, I got an email from Benjamin about Hillary Clinton's speech, which he thinks should put to rest any question about a divided party.

Sen. Clinton delivered a knockout blow to those sought to foment dissension and disunity. She outdid Sen. Kennedy and she showed greater statesmanship and party loyalty than he did in 1980. Her speech will go down as the greatest seconding speech in American political history. Hillary, you go girl!

Bloomberg Throws a Hillary Party (Even Better Than Patricof's Pool!)

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 07:04:21 -0400

Michael Bloomberg welcomed Hillary Clinton back into New York’s political scene with a party at Gracie Mansion last night, closing the two-hour party with a live chorus singing “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.”

Among the guests were Governor David Paterson, Senator Chuck Schumer, Representative Charlie Rangel, Barbara Walters, Chevy Chase and Tina Brown. Inside Edition sent a crew.

After trading jokes about presidential ambitions with the mayor, Clinton told the crowd of political leaders, business tycoons and reporters that she’s happily back at her job as New York’s junior senator.

Standing at a podium beneath a white tent in the mansion’s back yard, Clinton told the crowd she’s glad to see “so many of my friends, catching up with all of you, knowing that many of you put your ideas and your requests on hold, and now, the hold is off. read more »

Spitzer Critic at a Loss for Words

Azi Paybarah — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 16:10:20 -0400

Assemblyman Michael Benjamin of the Bronx, a Democrat who has criticized Spitzer on occasions, emails:

"I'm dazed by today's news regarding Gov Spitzer's involvement with a prostitution ring. My wife, Kennedy, and I offer our prayers for Silda Wall Spitzer and her two daughters. We pray that Gov Spitzer makes the right decision for his family and the people of New York. Concerns about his character are for another day."

For Clinton, a Giants Defense?

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:07:53 -0500

A sports-minded reader predicts a rebuttal to the Michael Benjamins and Paul Newells of the world, who are already writing Hillary Clinton's political obiturary. read more »

Michael Benjamin, an Obama Supporter, Gloats

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:25:19 -0500

Democratic Assemblyman Michael Benjamin, a Barack Obama supporter, thinks it’s over for Hillary Clinton.

In an e-mail he sent at 1:32 a.m. headlined “STICK A FORK IN HRC,” Benjamin wrote:

..She's done.

Sen Obama is 10-and-0 (11-0, if you count Washington state). The race issue can now be put to rest. America knows that he is a candidate who happens to be of African American heritage. Obama has won among men and women, across the age and class barriers. read more »

Obama Supporter Spin: No K.O., Typical H.R.C.

Azi Paybarah — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:40:49 -0500

Here's the late-night spin Assemblyman and Obama supporter Michael Benjamin of the Bronx emailed to reporters:

This is incredible. 3AM and counting. HRC failed to deliver the knockout blow. Sen Obama won 13 states, mostly "flyover" states. California and NY are out-of-touch with the middle American concerns and values that Barack speaks to, which typifies HRC.

Michael Benjamin, an Obama Supporter, Predicts Strong Support from Hispanics Here

Azi Paybarah — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 10:22:16 -0500

Assemblyman Michael Benjamin is in South Carolina this weekend, campaigning for Barack Obama.

At 12:29 a.m. this morning, he emailed a dispatch from there to reporters, which explains, “Negative campaigning hurt more than the Clinton campaign's race-baiting,” and “HRC has not proved that she can attract more than 40% of the vote. I believe that NY Hispanics will turn to Obama in recognition of his steadfast support for immigration reform w/o demonizing immigrants and his plans for economic expansion.”

The full dispatch is after the jump. read more »

Michael Benjamin: No Bradley Effect Here

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:19:15 -0500

Here’s Obama supporter Assemblyman Michael Benjamin of the Bronx noting that a “95-percent-white state went with Barack Obama and they didn’t lie to a pollster. They weren’t trying to be politically correct.”

The Benjamins Head to South Carolina for Obama

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:22:38 -0500

While many New York elected officials are going to Iowa or New Hampshire for Hillary Clinton, Assemblyman Michael Benjamin and his wife are planning a trip to South Carolina next month to campaign for Barack Obama.

Benjamin told me he’ll try speaking with undecided voters, “particularly African Americans who are still on the fence as to who they will support. They play a major role in the primary. And if they go for him, it’ll be an overwhelming victory.”

More after the jump. read more »

A Democrat's Advice for Spitzer: Learn From Sheldon Silver

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:02:29 -0500

So, what does Eliot Spitzer have to do to make the upcoming legislative year better than his first one?

Democratic Assemblyman Michael Benjamin of the Bronx, who has criticized Spitzer before, told me in an email that Spitzer has to listen to some of the more seasoned politicians in Albany.

“If he took more of Shelly's advice he'd be better off," Benjamin said. "None of us want an unsuccessful Democratic governor. Spitzer needs to take counsel from the old pros. Reformers need to accept that there's no harm in listening to people like Shelly.”

Which would be quite a departure from how he approached the last legislative session. read more »