I will preface this column with some “new rules” that are effective immediately. In the short term I will be doing only one column a week. In the short term, the comment section (thread) to all my columns will be closed. I am not getting into an explanation at the moment; it isn’t important right now. Just last week, Chris Owens admonished me to get back to “quality” and get away from “quantity”; so I will try to appease him/lol.
I start out this “Vines” column with some news that isn’t so good. Mr. Roy Hastick- head of the Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce Inc. (CACCI) – has suffered a major stroke. It is serious. My best wishes for a speedy recovery are extended. He is recuperating. Roy is a very fine gentleman who has befriended many in the political circles of Brooklyn and beyond.
Today is the South Carolina presidential primary for the Democrats. I expect another record turnout. I also expect Barack Obama to win easily. Yes; easily. I expect him to get over forty per cent of the turnout. I won’t be surprised if he cracks fifty. One trend being observed by pollsters is that Barack Obama is now hemorrhaging white support, all over the country; is this surprising to anyone but the naïve; especially those who said that I was being libelous when I pointed out the nasty tactics of the desperate Billary Clinton team. I say no more right now.
On the Republican side, John McCain’s mother is the feistiest 95 year old that I have ever seen. Maybe she should run instead of her son. BTW: I called the Thompson withdrawal from the race; but that was no big thing. You could have seen that coming months ago. So now it’s down to McCain, Romney, Huckabee, Giuliani and Ron Paul. I have already said a million times now that Rudy is “dead candidate walking”; and let me say now that Paul is an oddity with no a chance at the nomination. So in actuality: it’s down to three. Huckabee has no real money enough to win this (in terms of conventional wisdom), but he does have loyal support enough for an upset. I think however it will come down to McCain or Romney.
This is exonerating for me since I predicted a McCain resurgence last year, when everyone- plus their brother and sister- claimed him to be old and dead. McCain’s mom is totally correct when she said that the Repubs will have to probably hold their nose and take him as their nominee. Romney is said to be disliked immensely by many in the party, which doesn’t bode well for his chances; but we shall see. He does have deep pockets, and he talks that optimistic economic talk that many republicans like to hear.
Let me make a statement here: if the Republicans want to get back into this presidential race, all they have to do is nominate Colin Powell for vice-president (or even president in a brokered convention). This could counter the Barack Obama groundswell. If Colin’s wife were to let him run, he will aid the ticket immensely. Polls still show him highly favorable amongst voters of all ilks (R, D, I).
Another piece of bad news coming out of Brooklyn has to do with NYC council member (45) Kendall Stewart. It appears that his chief of staff (Asquith Reid) has a charitable organization he runs-dedicated to one of his daughters (who is now deceased). This organization has now come under scrutiny by investigators. It appears that there is an examination of some sort now taking place as to the proper running of said organization. This surely must be making Senator Kevin Parker smile broadly these days, since Stewart is intent on challenging him come September. Reid, who also doubles as Stewart’s campaign manager is crucial to a successful challenge of Parker.
What is unfortunate here is the fact that Stewart has become (to me) the most improved elected official in Brooklyn. Over the past four years or so, he has been working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for his constituents. He works closely with both the speaker of the Council (Christine Quinn) and Mayor Bloomberg’s staffers; with the expressed aim of improving and providing more services for residents of the district. Stewart has also been working on many different pieces of legislation aimed at improving the quality of life for New Yorkers on the whole. We will all have to sit back and see how this plays out. As far as my sources are saying: Stewart is not the target of the investigation. Still, this isn’t good news for him.
Wellington Sharpe- one of Stewart’s allies in politics – is said to be considering a run to replace the councilman when term limits come up next year. Sharpe, who is closely allied with Reid also, must be watching developments closely, and monitoring the rumors floating around, that he too may be facing investigation. Sharpe and attorney Terry Hinds were recently spotted doing a face to face, with a third party who shall remain nameless/lol. Speculation is that they may be facing each other next year in the council primary; hopefully things stay civil as they were at that meeting. Lots of potential candidates for that race have been making the rounds and meeting with key players in the district.
Word on the street is that there are many disgruntled political enemies of Stewart and his allies, looking to raise trouble in advance of Stewart’s challenge to Senator Parker. There are all kinds of speculation as to where this heat is coming from. I will stay mum for now; but I do know the names being called. For once I am not on the list; thank God. They nearly always call my name: even when I am not in the country/lmao.
I do support Stewart over Parker; in fact I intend to endorse him. Even further than that, I intend to work hard to unseat Kevin’s monkey ass (that’s a term of endearment Kev/lol). Parker is not as accessible as Stewart; plus he is to damn cocky for my liking.
Now; didn’t Cousin Rocky tell you guys to look out for some fireworks in this upcoming race? Let me say it again: fasten your seat belts for this one. While all this is going on, Assemblyman Nick Perry is still considering a run for Brooklyn’s borough presidency; despite the rumor that Yvonne Graham is seriously considering next year’s race. NYC councilmember Charles Barron – who is currently in Ethiopia- is another black candidate here, and he spoils it for any other black running. Lately, the Chris Owens for boro prez rumor has died down, like a viagrarized penis three days after popping the blue pill/lol.
They all need to do a face to face. Word coming from the other side of the tracks is that Bill DiBlasio will be the only white candidate running. Recently Bill had to disclaim an anti-Barron fundraising letter that was being circulated by some Jewish fundraising group. Bill did the right thing in trying to defuse any racial overtones to this race. Word is also that neither Senator Krueger nor Councilman Nelson will be running for boro prez next year.
Let me use this column to extend my condolences to Lori Knipel (Dem.district leader 44AD); she lost both her parents recently. They both died in either Pennsylvania or Florida; as far as my info goes. Be strong Lori; life is bittersweet my dear.
Also let me shout out Maurice Gumbs, who I am told is doing great again after an illness last year. Let me also shout out Joan Gill, who is dealing with an illness too. Last time I spoke to Joan she was in great spirits and as usual: witty as ever.
I have lots more to say about what’s happening in the vines but I will save that for a column next month. Until then be cool folks; life is meant to be lived. Do stay tuned-in; and watch your health please. Happy New Year to all my fans; and to all my detractors: keep reading my column; what does that say/ think/rofl.