David Greenhouse
The Sharpton Standard
Particularly interesting, though, was Al Sharpton's hint at retribution: "There's some Democrats that left, that we're going to make sure they stay gone.... We now know who are our friends, who are not our friends." read more »
That's curious since, as one reader writes, Sharpton breakfasted at the Regency with his friend Jonathan Capehart, who also happens to be a loyal advisor to one Mike Bloomberg.
NOTE: Capehart notes that his Regency breakfast with Sharpton is a quadrennial tradition, which started -- and sparked a round of rumors -- in 2001.Signs of the Times
But that won't stop Lappin's palm cards from playing up a quote from her Times primary endorsement (while stopping short of using the magic word "endorsement"). read more »
"We took the quote from the editorial," her campaign manager, Julie Hendricks, says. "We attributed [and dated] it. ... The Times had great things to say about her, and we're going to use that quote."East Siders
"In the District 5 debate, an audience member asked about the 91st St garbage transfer station. Joel Zinberg, Mike's man in District 5, was strongly opposed to the station, a position that shows, intriguingly, how he may not stand with the mayor when it's inconvenient for him to do so.
"Jessica Lappin was a bit more moderate and said she'd allow a recycling station, a stance that aligns with the position of Giff Miller, her her former boss.
"Zinberg also took a dig at Giff's classic public school gaffe. 'I have a four-year-old daughter who will be attending public school next year,' he said. 'Because some parents have actually thought about where our daughters are going next year.'
"Meanwhile, over in District 4, Dan Garodnick kept emphasizing his role in suing the city on behalf of same-sex couples denied marriage licenses. Clearly, he was trying to take the issue away from Patrick Murphy -- but do most voters even know about Murphy's leadership on gay rights?
"Candidates were asked which politicians they admired on the other side of the aisle. Garodnick said, 'I must admit that I admire the Mayor. This is a mayor who arguably is of the other party ...' (cue laughter). Garodnick added, however, that he would not be endorsing either mayoral candidate. read more »
"Murphy's closing statement also drew laughter. 'This is such an incredibly rich district,' he said. 'And I don't mean financially, I mean, we have... Although, that too.'"Local News
He recently spent some time in Bay Ridge, and filed this report:
It's been a rough season for Vinny Gentile, what with the publicized sexual harassment allegations, and here's another one to chew on: Bay Ridge residents have been going to his opponent's campaign to get help with city services.
Republican candidate Pat Russo told the Politicker on Sunday that his office volunteers have been been fielding complaints about noise and potholes. The Politicker was skeptical, but as if on cue, a middle-aged woman emerged from a nearby church and let Pat know she'd called his office about noxious odors from the Owl's Head wastewater treatment plant. Pat said he was on the case. read more »
For legislators at any level, leverage with the bureaucracy is one of the pillars in the so-called incumbent protection program. We're not saying Vinny doesn't have it, but if voters think Pat does, it certainly means his challenger candidacy is more credible.
Reached later, Gentile campaign manager Chris Lanier said defended his boss's pothole operation and added, "Pat Russo appears magically on the scene whenever an election is coming. People know that. When there isn't an election imminent, he's nowhere to be found."
