Though I've sometimes had problems with Nettie Mayersohn’s record, her story is one of a kind.
In 1982, as a female leader, she defied her Co-Leader Donnie Manes, who was then at the height of his power as both Broough Preisdent and Queens democratic boss, and got their local club to dump Manes' handpicked Assemblyman (and virtually lock Donnie out for the summer), and then she cleaned his clock in the primary.
As an Assemblywoman Mayersohn continued her record of not going with the flow, often in ways that annoyed her conference and her leadership.
More often than not, I disliked Mayersohn’s dissents, but in Albany, even their existence was worth noting and admiring.
But Mayersohn’s chosen to end her career by circumventing democracy and facilitating a choice by bosses instead of the voters.
In others words, Nettie Mayersohn ends her career with a repudiation of every last thing which made her notable.
For shame!!! Queens Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn Retiring: Special Election On Tap www.nydailynews.com
Incidentally, the Queens Party rules for choosing the Democratic nominee for this vacancy make the process in Brooklyn look like a model of Democracy. Instead of a County Committee meeting (which, because it can involve over 200 people, can turn chaotic even in the most controlled political environments), the nomination is determined by the area's four Democratic District Leaders.
In the Queens Democracy, each Assembly District is divided into Parts A & B. Each Part has a Male and Female District Leader chosen in the Democratic primary during even numbered years. At the nomination meetng, (like at a County Committee meeting) each Leader casts a weighted votes based upon the Democratic vote for Governor cast in their part in the last generla election for Governor.
Thus, two (if the leaders from the dominate part agree) or three people determine who gets the nomination, and likely, this determines who will sit in the Assembly for the next 30 years.
Those with a taste for nostalgia will note that the four leaders include not only Mayershon, but former Councilman Morton Povman, a man whose awesome impact upon public policy was mostly transcribed in invisible ink.
If Bloomberg is so upset about the budget, why doesn't he offer a constructive suggestion, like calling for a millionaires' tax, or asking his Republican Senate friends from the burbs not to be such hogs with education funds? Failing that, he should just stop whining. Mayor Bloomberg Rages Against The State Budget www.nydailynews.com
Sen Dems show more passion about inside baseball than about schools; another dog bites man story. Senate Democrats Blast Surprise Rules Changes As “Dangerous” www.cityhallnews.com
We're Americanizing Weiner’s name: from now on, I'm calling him "Dick." Weiner's Parking Problem www.nydailynews.com
Who does Chuck think he is; Frank Luntz? Chuck Schumer commits 'extreme' phone gaffe www.amny.com
Tom Coburn: Liberal Hero Tom Coburn Traps Grover Norquist | The New Republic www.tnr.com
Self proclaimed conservative Sully chronicles the descent of conservatism into madness. Left, Right And Time – The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com
Gingrich comments about Islam and Atheism are not cognitive dissonance; they are an expression of a scary, all encompassing world view. Yglesias » Gingrich Warns America May Become a Secular Atheist Country Dominated By Radical yglesias.thinkprogress.org
I'm not sure that I believe in American exceptionalism, but it now seems indisputable that the President does; not that that will keep the right from continuing to lie about it. Putting One Obama Myth to Rest – Jeffrey Goldberg – Politics – The Atlantic www.theatlantic.com
Hertzberg's analysis is on point; Obama seems to have done his best to make the best of a horrible situation, and no one's critique points to a better place than the one he arrived in. Hendrik Hertzberg: Obama’s Libya Speech www.newyorker.com
Nick Rizzo gives psychotics far more thought than they've earned. Nick Likes Attention, Some Thoughts On Coverage of Alex Jones nickrizzo.tumblr.com