Harrison

While we wait for numbers to trickle in, here is one way to redefine victory in one interesting race.

In New York's 13th congressional district, the often-overlooked Democrat Stephen Harrison is challenging Vito Fossella, and with basically no support from the state or national parties, Harrison may have a shot at breaking 41percent.

It would be the most any Democratic challenger has gotten against Fossella. So at the very least, he'd be able to make the case for being the guy again in 2008.

-- Azi Paybarah

So how much impact will the Times endorsement of Democratic challenger Stephen Harrison over Rep. Vito Fossella actually have?

On one hand, the language of the endorsement could hardly have been stronger.

"Mr. Fossella has offered only lame excuses for improperly using his campaign funds for skiing holidays in Vail (including lessons and equipment), as well as vacations in Florida," the Times wrote. Harrison, by contrast, has a "good command of the issues" and "keen intelligence," according to the Times.

On the other hand, it was hardly the sort of surprising development likely to shake up this race, which hasn't been competitive enough to merit much in the way of public polling. As one consultant I talked to noted, "Anybody who listens to the Times wasn't voting for Fossella anyway."

Fossella, for his part, seems to agree: He didn't show up for the editorial board meeting.  read more »

-- Azi Paybarah

Here's one bright exception to this year's trend of front-runners in lopsided races avoiding multiple debates:

Vito Fossella, the city's only Republican congressman, has agreed to four debates with his Democratic challenger, Stephen Harrison. Or so Harrison told me.

It hardly means that this contest is suddenly a toss-up. But the very least, it should make Harrison's existence a little harder to forget. -- Azi Paybarah

This afternoon, I'll be interviewing the slightly out-of focus-guy standing next to Hillary Clinton: Stephen Harrison, a Democrat running in New York's 13th Congressional district against the city's only Republican congressman, Vito Fossella.

Despite some interesting sub-plots -- inappropriate use of an Elmo picture! -- and an anti-incumbent, anti-Republican mood that, at least in theory, makes this a competitive race, we haven't exactly been obsessing over the contest. (Something that hasn't escaped the attention of at least one anti-Fossella blogger.)

If there's anything any of you are curious to hear about from Harrison, email me your questions. Or just drop them in the comments section.  read more »

-- Azi Paybarah

Warm, woody and welcoming, the Harrison works its charms from the moment you arrive.  read more »

Pace (pronounced “pah-chay”) means “peace” in Italian.  read more »

East Village Siren's Call:The Mermaid Inn Beckons  read more »

Given everything that happened a few blocks away, it's amazing that the Harrison opened at all.  read more »

As buzz saws whined and packing peanuts swirled around their feet, a roomful of bright-eyed waiters  read more »