The New York Observer » Yvette Clarke

Clarke’s Words

According to the New York Times, 42 members of Congress had part or all of their speeches about the federal health care bill written by health care lobbyists.

The story identified only a handful of those members, including Rep. Yvette Clarke of Brooklyn. She, like other Democrats, praised the bill's job-creation potential, saying, "I see Read More

Clarke Says Blame Bloomberg, Not Council, For Term Limits

Here’s Yvette Clarke earlier today, complaining about Michael Bloomberg’s push to extend term limits. Her remarks are followed by my question about the guy who voted for it, Kendall Stewart, standing behind her.

Thompson Gets Support From Stewart, But Not on Term Limits

Bill Thompson, who has made his opposition to Michael Bloomberg’s extension of term limits a major campaign theme, was endorsed today by one of the City Council members who voted for it.

That member, City Councilman Kendall Stewart, said it was a “mistake” for Thompson to campaign on that theme.

Stewart was speaking to reporters Read More

De Blasio Calls and Mails the Sharpton Endorsement

Here’s a robocall and mailer Bill de Blasio is sending out highlighting his African-American support.

The robocall was recorded by Kirsten John Foy, director of the Criminal Justice Initiative at the National Action Network. Foy says, “Reverend Sharpton, various clergy, community activists, advocates and I are supporting Bill de Blasio for the position Read More

Patrick Gaspard Writes Poems, Collects Comics, Kills for Obama

Al Sharpton had just stepped out of a meeting with Barack Obama.

It was January 2007, and he was down in the Obama Senate office during a trip to Washington to meet with a number of Democratic presidential contenders. Mr. Obama had been almost uncannily pitch-perfect, Mr. Sharpton thought, hitting every talking point and Read More

A Delegation Divided: Serrano and the Gillibrand Holdouts Await Their Due

According to Jose Serrano, Kirsten Gillibrand is going after the low-hanging fruit first.

In the days since Representative Steve Israel decided not to consider a primary against Gillibrand, following calls from President Barack Obama and Senator Chuck Schumer, other members of the New York Congressional delegation have quickly lined up in support Read More

Gillibrand Rolls Out House Dems, But the Delegation Is Still Split

Steve Israel’s decision to abandon a potential primary challenge to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was apparently the trigger for some members of the New York Congressional delegation to coalesce around the incumbent, as Gillibrand’s campaign rolled out endorsements today from representatives Yvette Clarke and Michael McMahon (as well as from State Senate Majority Leader Read More

The Death of the New York City Democrat

In Washington, Democrats won the White House and expanded their control of Congress. Albany is run by a Democratic governor, Democratic Assembly leader and a Democratic Senate majority leader. Everywhere New Yorkers look, Democratic dominion is spreading.

Except in New York City.

The city may be a bastion of American liberalism, where Read More

Black Voters Warm to Cuomo, Black Political Leaders Mostly Don’t

Everything is looking up for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo as he enters early-campaign mode by and continuing to capitalize on his position to create headline after laudatory headline.

This morning brings news of yet another positive indicator: a Siena college poll showing him with a garish 67-17 point lead over David Read More

If Not Paterson, Who?

Asked who was going to carry the torch for Harlem as the old political guard enters obsolescence, Governor David Paterson responded, as is his wont, with a joke.

As he walked out of a St. Patrick’s Day breakfast at St. Bart’s church on 51st Street on March 17, Mr. Paterson told The Observer, “Somebody once Read More

Katz Women Crash Liu Announcement

As John Liu’s kick off announcement for city comptroller was coming to an end yesterday, supporters of Melinda Katz, the only woman in the race, handed out this letter touting the support she has.

Letter-signers include Geraldine Ferraro, Representative Yvette Clarke, several City Council members, and even a district leader from Read More

Kirsten Gillibrand, Like Chuck Schumer With Connections

Kirsten Gillibrand kind of knows everyone in politics. Just ask her.

“What makes me so successful is that I’ve developed so many relationships,” she said in a phone interview on Jan. 27, hours after being sworn in as a U.S. senator, as she walked to the Senate floor to cast her first vote. “Because I did Read More

Clarke Argues Against the Sheekey Argument

Representative Yvette Clarke of Brooklyn doesn’t think a personal relationship with President Obama is a necessary requirement to become the next senator from New York, as has been claimed by outspoken Kennedy supporter Kevin Sheekey.

“There are so many people in Washington that claim to have a relationship with the president, he’s got Read More

At Women’s Rally for Obama, No Sympathy for Palin

New York City women who support Barack Obama held a rally at City Hall yesterday, ostensibly to counter the post-Palin storyline of female voters moving to John McCain.At the end of the rally, I asked some attendees if thought Palin was being treated fairly during the campaign, or if, as Hillary Clinton asserted during Read More

Bill Clinton Helps Ed Towns Raise Money

Bill Clinton will speak at a fund-raiser tonight for Representative Ed Towns, whose challenger, Kevin Powell, is trying to frame Towns' support of Hillary Clinton in the presidential primary as a political liability.The event is taking place at the home of attorney Sanford Rubenstein, on East 64th Street. Clinton is expected to speak around Read More