Patrick Healy

Yesterday's Times report from Iowa was produced to an Allman Brothers soundtrack.  read more »

In a piece for The New Republic released on Tuesday, Michael Crowley reports on the fear tactics employed by Hillary Clinton's campaign team, particularly top communications strategist Howard Wolfson.

No political reporters were willing to go on the record for the piece, and one explained why: "They're too smart. They'll figure out who I am."

Said another: "They're frightening! They don't see [reporting] as a healthy part of the process. They view this as a ruthless kill-or-be killed game."  read more »

Last night in the New York Times building, before a crowd of over 300, five members of the Times political team -- assistant managing editor Rick Berke, chief political reporter Adam Nagourney, online political editor Kate Phillips, and reporters Patrick Healy and Jodi Kantor -- held a surprisingly frank conversation about the 2008 presidential campaign and the relationship between the reporters and the candidates.

At the beginning of the presentation, Mr. Nagourney discussed the recent endorsement of Rudy Giuliani by Pat Robertson as "freaky," "weird" and "a stunt." He also echoed a widespread criticism of Republican candidate Fred Thompson, saying "I really think he's just not that into it."

At one point, Times assistant managing editor Rick Berke asked reporter Patrick Healy, who covers Hillary Clinton, whether the New York senator has forgiven him for the notorious A1 exegesis of the Clinton marriage he wrote last year. "No," Mr. Healy replied.  read more »

Jon Corzine has a lot riding on Bob Menendez.

Glenn Thrush confirms our Choire Sicha's keen observation last week about Hillary Clinton dropping down to fighting weight.

Patrick Healy says that Hillary is finally having a little fun the campaign trail.

"She chuckles easily at tough questions, and tends to start her answers with the word "well," which offers an extra half second to collect her thoughts."

Maggie notes that Hillary told churchgoers that children "want discipline."

A NewYork1/Newsday poll shows Alan Hevesi ahead of Chris Callaghan by 10 points, which the Daily News calls a "comfortable" lead.

The Times reminds us that choosing a comptroller is, at least theoretically, about more than who drove who's wife around.

Newsday also says there is time for other events to affect the race.

Ben has more information on the damage control efforts by some Republican operatives in the days before the Mark Foley scandal exploded.

The Times Union endorses Eliot Spitzer for governor.

A Post editorial says scary things about potential Ways and Means chair Charlie Rangel.

The Times looks at how Joe Lieberman's testy relationship with his party has made him a carefree independent.

New York could get more federal dollars if Democrats take control of the House of Representatives.

Jeanine Pirro campaigned upstate and said she's "focused."

And it's a day late, but, as Spin Cycle pointed out yesterday, we still don't know who the Journal News meant to endorse for comptroller in this most remarkable editorial. In case you missed it.

-- Azi Paybarah

Mike Bloomberg said he's staying in City Hall and ruled out a presidential run.

Patrick Healy looks at Hillary Clinton's anti-war challenger, Jonathan Tasini. He's progressive, but as the head of Democracy for America noted, "I think progressives are a lot more pragmatic than people think..."

Another Hillary challenger, Republican candidate KT McFarland, is resuming her campaign after her daughter's arrest for shoplifting. The AP reports she is accused of stealing clothes worth $250.

And Crain's [no link] reports that Brooklyn congressional candidate Yvette Clarke doesn't have a diploma from Oberlin College, the school she mentions in her bio.

-- Azi Paybarah

Of all possible explanations for the mainstream media’s preoccupation with the Clinton marriag  read more »

"Patrick Healy doesn't get on the plane after that snotty thing. Cooper did that great profile. Cooper may be on the plane."

Paterson aide to Spitzer aide in Rye Brook Saturday. Times readers all.

The all-important Nagourney/Slackman political reporting slot at the Times is going to Pat Healy. No, not that Pat Healy. That Pat Healy.

Here's the memo:

Subject: good news from metro To: The Staff From: Susan Edgerley March 26, 2005

Patrick D. Healy will become Metro's next government and politics correspondent, taking over for Michael Slackman when Michael heads to Cairo. It's a crucial position coming open at a crucial time in the city's political life. Healy, in addition to being a wonderful writer and keen observer of people and politics, is an absolute animal of a reporter. He will do the job full justice.

But I initially hesitated at the thought of asking Pat to take the job because, well, he's only been here a few months. Sure, sure -- I know he has the smarts, the guts and the passion for it. But what does he know about New York?

So off he went to Albany to help out with the legislative session and begin to learn a Pataki from a Bruno. He had a huge impact in a short period of time. Remember his story about Hillary Clinton seeking shared ground on abortions? Or his takeout on SUNY this week? Or his Page 1 pinch-hitting on the Larry Summers mess?

In short order, Healy persuaded everyone that he was not only ready to walk in the footsteps of Slackman and Nagourney, but to blaze his own trail.

And so that's what he will be doing, first on the Mayor's race, working with Rutenberg and his posse, then on the gubernatorial contest, working with Cooper and his crew. And then there's the race for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, and whatever other jobs the senator may seek.  read more »

Healy says he's thrilled about the new gig, and he should be. It's a great job. And he will be great in it.

When he was getting started as a reporter, Jack Patrick O'Gilfoil Healy didn't think much about his  read more »