This is my penultimate “Grapevine” column, as I tie up loose ends here on Room Eight; and as you know, I try to bring you the stories and speculation that you won’t see, read, hear or find, in the mainstream media. So here goes an abbreviated version.
In the 11th Congressional race I took only slight ragging for endorsing Chris Owens. Some Caribbean-Americans thought that I could have cut Yvette Clarke some slack, after the story broke about her not having a B.A. degree, and also not graduating from Oberlin College. I had to explain that as an educator I couldn’t take that stand, since it would have been contradictory to my general educational objectives and philosophical viewpoint. I also had to explain that if anyone working in the public or private sector, had been caught embellishing their college records, fudging on their qualifications, or lying about their true credentials, that such a person would have deservedly been relieved of their position, and/or at least disciplined in some way, shape or form.
I still stand by my belief that Yvette should have pulled out of the congressional race. Public officials should always be held to a higher standard. However, it seems like most people in the polity just tacitly accept the lowering of standards nowadays, without understanding the ramifications of such, for civil society on the whole. It is not as simple as it looks. Civil society is held together by slender threads of morality and decency. In general, we tend to overlook that. Sure, no one is perfect-including me; if I were perfect then I would have nothing to strive for; but it’s a lil deeper than that. Anyway, you readers could comment on this.
About the race itself; I still think that it is up for grabs. Word is that Carl Andrews is getting closer to his numerical goal for victory (if I give out the number here, then they will really feel that I have a spy in their camp). It has always been said that Carl will make a strong run down the homestretch, and guess what: the homestretch is here folks. Word is that money-woes continue to plague Yvette Clarke’s campaign. By the way: given yesterday’s negative article on Yvette by the New York Post, can we now safely conclude that a well-orchestrated hit has been put out on her campaign by at least one or two (if not all), of her opponents in this race? Oh, the perils of being the frontrunner no? People are also talking about a mailing that was put out by the Clarke camp. Some seem to think it was racist in nature. Did you see it? What do you think?
Late word is that Carl Andrews also has money-woes. GOTV operations are expensive folks; trust Uncle Rocky on this, he knows from experience. Election day operations could literally send you to the pawn shop kids. What makes it even more frustrating for candidates is the knowledge that this is the last oportunity to make voter contact; this is shut -up time, so you better put up. I knew a candidate whose ED operation had more holes than a gross of donuts; when it was over he lost by a few hundred votes . To this day he still feels that he lost it on ED. This race will be won on Election Day folks. I know. I was the candidate in question.
When races are close, Election Day become D-DAY unless your support is hard, real hard. As hard as a penis any morning during puberty.
Chris Owens seems to have to most loyal supporters, but some are speculating that he doesn’t have enough black (nor Caribbean-American) support to win. I know of at least one Caribbean-American newspaper (Caribbean-American Weekly) that endorsed Chris Owens, and he also got endorsements from the Amsterdam News and Our Time Press; both of which are well read in the Afro-American community.
David Yassky surprisingly snagged the New York Times endorsement, but likewise failed to snag the endorsement from the Jewish Press (Andrews). What do you think this all means folks? BTW: make your predictions in the comment section.
In the 10th Congressional race, Ed Towns has been working like a praedial slave. He has been sighted more times than Elvis Presley, while campaigning at the subways. This is good for democracy isn’t it? After all, he has had maybe four challenges in over 20 years. BTW: conventional wisdom is that ET will be re-elected. I still hold out the belief that Barron will win the black vote. My sense is that all the ambulance–chasing and race-baiting that Barron has done over the years will pay off in certain segments of the black community come Election Day. I also feel that Barron will get crushed in the white precincts. I suspect that Towns will win the Hispanic areas too. The real story here is Roger Green’s non-campaign. Has he even done a mailing? Has he hung a single poster? What the hell was this run about?
In the race for the 40th AD, former mayoral candidate Fernando Ferrer stepped in and endorsed Kenneth Evans, in his race against the indicted incumbent Diane Gordon. This is the second time in the past two years that Ferrer has left the Bronx to endorse against a Brooklyn incumbent. Two years ago he endorsed attorney Edward Roberts against Clarence Norman-then facing indictment, prior to being convicted. I find it courageous for a person of Freddy’s stature to stand up when public officials misbehave in office. I wish more of his ilk would do the same. Do note that Edwards lost that race folks; this time around however Evans has at least a puncher’s chance of winning. (For full disclosure: I am currently working as the Deputy Campaign Manager / Deputy Director of Field Operations for the Evans campaign).
In the 58thAD, people are talking about the spirited run being made by young attorney Terry Hinds. In a three-way race for male district leader, Hinds is one of the challengers to incumbent Weyman Carey (former commissioner of the Board of Elections). Also in this race is NYC councilmember Kendall Stewart. Less than two years ago Stewart successfully argued that Carey should not hold both district-leader and commissioner positions simultaneously; now he is running for said position while sitting in the council. Didn’t I tell you guys that Stewart is intellectually-challenged? He is.
For this race, I am endorsing Terry Hinds in this column. I hope he wins. We need new blood in Brooklyn’s politics. Vote for Terry Hinds folks. Vote early, and vote often/lol.
In the 57th AD, word on the street is that Hakeem Jeffries will win. If so, let me tell Hakeem something that Chris Owens also needs to know: in politics, there is an “etiquette play book” that you both should read. There are phone calls that should be made in courtesy, and phone calls that should be returned with courtesy. This is not me talking kids, I am only the messenger. All Uncle Rocky will tell you two is this, that the truly successful leaders practice one thing well: humility.
In the 18th Senatorial, word is that Tracey Boyland will fail in her bid to unseat Velmanette Montgomery. I think Tracey will do well, win or lose. Ratner will look out for her. I don’t know about you folks, but I think term limits is needed in Albany too. Nothing against Ms. Montgomery personally, but in politics change is good most times.
In the 42nd AD, Zacary Lareche failed to make the ballot for the umpteenth time. It’s time for “Zack la Roach” to go away. And stay gone.
In the 20th Senatorial, supposedly Trinidad-born candidate Anthony Alexis needs to know that I endorsed Eric Adams, because 20 years ago Eric was standing with many of us from the Harriet Tubman political club, when we were challenging the status-quo in Brooklyn. From where I come philosophically, kissing butt (black or white) is not something that should be endorsed or rewarded. And BTW Anthony: I am unbought and unbossed. Don’t you ever forget that.
In Brooklyn’s judicial races, people are talking about the fact that four black women are chasing two open slots. There are two white male candidates on the ballot also, and conventional wisdom is that one of these men will win one of the vacant spots. People are saying that the failure of the political leadership in black-Brooklyn is quite evident here. What do you think?
In the races up-ballot: let’s not forget that the larger objective is to defeat the Republicans in November folks. I say this primarily to Mark Green and Andrew Cuomo, but it is meant for Tom Suozzi also. Let’s remember that those who survive the fight can fight again another day; those who don’t survive, well, they don’t survive.
Stay tuned-in folks.