New York State Democratic Committee

Rep. Tom Reynolds' alleged role in covering up the Mark Foley scandal has provided New York Democrats with so much ammunition in the weeks leading up to the mid-term elections that their attacks have started to blur together.

That having been said, this headline, on a new release from the New York State Democratic Committee, is something of a stand-out.

CONGRESSMAN ACCUSED OF CHOKING MISTRESS CANCELS EVENT WITH REYNOLDS - DOESN'T WANT TO RUIN HIS REPUTATION

--Jason Horowitz

This Friday’s brief edition of this not-so-regular feature brings you Blake Zeff, a former Chuck Schumer press guy who is now the prolific spokesman for the New York State Democratic Party.

BENOBSERVER: So I theorized in the paper this week that you’re part of a plot to make John Spencer the GOP Senate nominee. Confess! ZEFF: yes, and john spencer theorized that we’re part of a plot to make KT McFarland the candidate ZEFF: so many plots, so little time ZEFF: what’s a man to do? BENOBSERVER: you got in a "million little pieces" reference the other day, amid the tide of press releases. BENOBSERVER: had you actually read the book? ZEFF: sadly no ZEFF: the original plan was to release a list of top ten things kt mcfarland did not write ZEFF: "a million little pieces" ZEFF: the SNL "lazy sunday" rap ZEFF: and of course, the "star wars" speech ZEFF: i think the seinfeld "puffy shirt" episode was in there, as well BENOBSERVER: did it get vetoed ZEFF: nah, i had to focus on a john sweeney corruption release and then bill weld flip-flopped again ZEFF: so i had to get on that BENOBSERVER: a hard life you have ZEFF: (i should specify that was rep. john sweeney, not the labor leader) BENOBSERVER: do you feel that having worked in Chuck Schumer’s press office, you’ve become his clone? ZEFF: physically? BENOBSERVER: mentally. there’s a theory that young chuck aides become chuck. You, Stu, Josh Isay, all the many others. All body-snatched. ZEFF: don’t forget rodney ZEFF: yeah there’s definitely a familial bond all schumer staffers share ZEFF: i still get mistaken for anthony weiner from time to time

The liberal media-watching group Media Matters seems to share my view that the AP's attack on the Democrats for ... misstating Associated Press excerpting policy (?) ... was more of a commercial dispute than a news story.

Here's the summary: "Using an unfair and misleading comparison, the Associated Press accused the New York State Democratic Committee of editing AP articles the committee reprinted on its website."

This week's Friday IMterview brings us Howard Wolfson, the multifarious Hillary aide, consultant to the New York State Democratic Party, and partner in the White-House-in-Exile political consulting firm the Glover Park Group. We discussed Jeanine, Hillary, the Democrats, and the difficulty of working in his business when you've lost your voice; he's been mute for most of the week.

Here's the interview, with a couple of typos corrected and a couple of lines moved around for clarity:

benobserver: [A]re you only doing this IM interview because you've lost your voice? And is being a communications specialist difficult when you have no voice?

[wolfson]: very [wolfson]: its a very weird feeling [wolfson]: its now been days [wolfson]: perhaps if anyone has any home remedies.....

benobserver: Jeanine pirro, john spencer, ed cox: who does hillary want to run against?

[wolfson]: she is too focused on serving the people of NY to have a preference [wolfson]: at some point we know the GOP will decide on a nominee [wolfson]: but thats their call

benobserver: And what do you make of Jeanine's campaign? Could this be some devious stunt designed to lull you into complacency?

[wolfson]: well [wolfson]: i dont imagine this was the way her supporters thought it would go

benobserver: Ok. Favorite Pirro campaign moment so far? [wolfson]: how can i choose [wolfson]: ?

benobserver: cmon. pick one.

[wolfson]: nope

benobserver: Over to Hillary. Is she backing off her support for the war?

[wolfson]: she has been completely consistent [wolfson]: readers can look at her statement and see for themselves

benobserver: Isn't there a difference between "standing by" her vote and "taking responsibility" for it?

[wolfson]: they sound the same to me

benobserver: Hmm. benobserver: In your state Dems role, benobserver: is it a relief to see another political party in even worse shape?  read more »

[wolfson]: lol [wolfson]: they do seem to be having some difficulties

benobserver: indeed

Well, somebody's campaigning against Mike Bloomberg today:

"Bloomberg to NY Mag in 2001: 'obscene' to spend too much money on campaigns" is the subject line on the apropos-of-nothing campaign-style email.

"FLASHBACK: April 2001, Bloomberg tells New York magazine: $30 million is too much to spend on a campaign. 'At some point, you start to look obscene.'"

Thing is, the email came from New York Magazine spokeswoman Serena Torrey, former spokeswoman for the New York State Democratic Party.  read more »

The email arrived at 1:12, and by 1:14 another message came in: "Did Serena accidentally just slip back into her old job as State Dem spokesgal?"

The Politicker hears that Blake Zeff, formerly of Chuck's office, has started work as the new press secretary for the New York State Democratic Party.

A clear sign that the party is gearing up for ... one of these elections or the other.  read more »

UPDATE: Also, a reader notes that three of the communications staffers on the Mayor's race -- Zeff, Bloomberg aide Stu Loeser, and Ferrer press secretary Christy Setzer -- all worked together for the ubiquitous Chuck.

We're told she's hired Chung Seto, former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party, to run her campaign. As longtime readers will recall, the Politicker is and remains your exclusive source for Chung Seto news.  read more »