The two “Johns” of whom I write are John Liu and John Sampson. Liu is the NYC comptroller. Sampson is the state senator from Brooklyn’s 19th district. He is also the conference leader of the senate democrats. I want to believe he is actually the senate minority leader but some folks tell me that’s not official.
Anyway, both Liu and Sampson have come in for some serious ragging in mainstream media lately. I want to believe there is more to this than meets the unsuspecting naked eye.
A few columns aback I told you folks that the three major newspapers (Times, Daily News and N.Y. Post) are in the tank for NYC council speaker Christine Quinn: with the objective being to make her the next mayor of this city. They have been trying without subtlety to decimate those they perceive as her main opponents in the 2013 mayoral primary. Thus, over the last few years, they have been taking occasional pot shots at people like Marty Markowitz, Bill DiBlasio, Adolfo Carrion, Scott Stringer and Bill Thompson (don’t forget Anthony Wiener also). It is sad. These forces seem to believe that many aren’t observing all this. They are wrong in that assessment.
Recently John Liu has come under heavy attack for some of his fundraising woes. This is an old story. Liu has had issues raising money amongst the Chinese, Korean, and other Asian communities, from the day he started running for city council somewhere back around 2000. There are lots of cultural issues around the tactics used for raiding funds from these groups. This is not being said to exonerate Liu’s folks from following the rules of CFB. It’s just a fact that within immigrant communities there are many reasons why some folks choose to bend the rules. Start with one word: immigration. There are usually
certain fears around disclosure and transparency because of paranoia and ignorance. I know. I come from one of these immigrant communities (West Indian).
One of the reasons the census count in NYC was horribly flawed, is the fact that those in power have refused to heed advice from immigrant activists, and make allowance(s) for inherent cultural encumbrances, propaganda and disinformation. These refusals frustrate a proper census count within some immigrant-groupings. In the end those refusals hurt the city in numerous ways: especially in our dealings with the federal government.
I am told that one of Liu’s main handlers and advisors is a very capable and competent Asian lady named Chung Seto; a woman with lots of deep political connections statewide. She is cool and smart. I have seen her handle herself under fire during a campaign we mutually worked on. I suspect they will eventually get through these irritatingly stubborn issues around their fundraising style and methodology. I could be wrong; but I do trust her experience here. Liu’s political future is at stake and I am certain she knows this. A lot of damage control is needed. Maybe a media blitz using positive ads should be in the cards immediately.
I remember applying for a position with the comptroller’s office recently, only to find that they don’t even acknowledge receipt of resumes; but I won’t blame that on John; even when I have heard about all kinds of strange happenings going on in that office since he took over. I will save some of those for my “Vines” column: that’s where I dish out the juicy political gossip and the like.
There is a knock on him in my political circles though. They say he is super-super-ambitious and calculating: and that’s scary. Some observers fear he is a wannabee despot. They also say that he embellished many aspects of his personal life in order to get to public office; including saying stuff about
himself and his immigrant parents that weren’t true.
Look; I am not shilling for Liu since I have been repeatedly told by members of my inner-crew (since 2002) that he is an arrogant, pompous, despotic S.O.B. In my personal dealings with him he has always been amiable towards me; but then many people (especially electeds) are amiable until I leave their
earshot: mainly because they don’t want me writing negative stuff about them in my columns. Contrary to what the trolls write in the comments-sections here, close to half a million people read Room Eight New York Politics on a regular monthly basis (from all over the world). And my columns also appear in the Daily Gotham blog on a regular basis too. Sometimes Gary Tilzer links my column on True News blog; likewise Colin Campbell at the Brooklyn Politics blog (another good site). Plus I often run into my columns on blog sites I didn’t even know existed. Overall, lots of people read me. So I understand the
reasons for the two-facedness from many electeds; plus it’s in their nature to be duplicitous.
I will try to be fair and open- minded about John Liu. My suspicion is that he could be a competent mayor. I just worry about something in his closet jumping out to bite him one of these days. My political peeps don’t think he has a chance of winning the next mayoral primary if there is a black and/or Hispanic in the race. I don’t know about that. He has a solid Asian base; unfortunately for him though, many in these ethnic/nationalistic communities are registered republicans. In a democratic primary, Liu would have to do a lot of (re)registration changes based on party affiliation/identification.
If the mainstream media keeps beating up on Liu -as they have been- I suspect they will drive him out of the race for mayor. I don’t see a let up since I believe that’s their objective anyway.
From what I know about Liu he appears to get along well with black and Hispanic politicians: and that’s a plus; but he never seems to critique them so I wonder if he is genuine. Collectively speaking, black and Hispanic electeds in New York are the pits. Just look at the state of their districts in general and “say
it aint so John”. Individually many mean well but they are still rather ineffective when it comes to real change and direction (as a group).
Over the years, John Liu has shown up at many incidents of police-abuse in minority communities, but I get the sense that it is symbolic more than substantial. He needs to be more vocal on issues that affect communities of color.
I do admire Liu’s personal successes. As an immigrant I find it inspiring. I also admire his work when heading up the Transportation Committee of the city council. I am told he is a smart cookie: well, maybe he is. I am still waiting for progressive ideas from him though; especially ideas around education and
about reforming NYC government. He needs to start writing in blogs and/or newspapers. I don’t think we have many clues as to what is at the core of Liu’s political philosophy. Ambition is one thing; but where are the ideas for political reform?
Liu recently decided to invest some of NYC’s pension funds in the Caribbean basin, and I am fine with that. This was an initiative that Billy Thompson started in collaboration with Roy Hastick from the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (CACCI). It was long overdue.
He has been critical of the Bloomberg administration at various times in his political career, and I am sure this hasn’t ingratiated him with Mayor Bloomers. I suspect that Bloomy is quietly trying to orchestrate the Quinn-for-mayor initiative through his octopussian tentacles (via his wide-ranging connections). It is obvious that the lame-stream-mainstream media were the first recruits in the diabolical plot. I will again posit that we activists -who are battling in the in the rough political trenches of our communities of color- need to start a “Stop- Christine Quinn” movement like yesterday. It’s about making her pay for the term-limits reversal and the arrogance displayed by both herself and Mayor Bloomberg. She has to apologize for what she did and do some penance. It was an affront to true democracy. She has been unrepentant as a political sinner.
I have said many times before: Christine Quinn doesn’t deserve to be mayor after circumventing the will of the people in 2008. That was when she introduced and quarterbacked the legislation which overturned term-limits. Without her contrition, we voters have to punish her in 2013.
John Liu was very supportive of the movement to stop the term-limits extension. He deserves full credit for that. He should be considered for mayor by any objective voter. My guess is that John Liu wouldn’t run for mayor this time around and I have written that before; but I do look forward to the day when this city has an Asian, Hispanic or female mayor.
John Liu is young enough to still eventually emerge as a mayoral contender but maybe 2013 isn’t his year. One thing I can verify is that John Liu regularly makes the rounds at political clubs and events. I saw him just yesterday at Lori Knipel’s (Dems district leader/44th AD) annual Christmas party. This is a
very classy event. He seems to like those kinds of events.
Over the years he has been prolific in the way he shows up to political events in all five boroughs; but he is no Marty Markowitz. Marty is more gregarious than most electeds I know. At times John Liu appears to be aloof and standoffish. Someone needs to make the rounds with him, to some of those speak easy
joints in the hood: the ones where the tables and chairs are chained to the floor. Places where regular New Yorkers go. Places where girls sit on Senator Kevin Parker’s lap. Places where they sing karaoke style; or places where they break a hundred dollar bill for you at the door: giving give you a hundred
singles (bills/of course/lol) to do your own thing.
Soon enough, I am going to endorse Billy Thompson for mayor in the 2013 cycle. I intend to support him in the 2013 primary. He has paid his dues. Plus he wasn’t treated fairly last time around. Even the Obama folks shafted him. Sometimes I wonder why democrats are so friggin self-destructive. With just
a little help from the White House, Billy Thompson would have been mayor today. When Bloomberg conspired with Quinn to overturn term-limits, he lost the right to be mayor of this great city. That’s why we are now still under his siege. He is illegally occupying Gracie mansion. It’s an illegal administration:
illegal in spirit (not in the letter) of the law. No matter what Bloomy does well, he has lost the respect of folks like me. His legacy will always be tarnished.
Of the other mayoral candidates, I think Scott Stringer has done a good job as Manhattan Borough president. I miss Anthony Wiener but life goes on. I hope Marty Markowitz runs since he will add some excitement and flavor to the race. Bill DiBlasio will make a good mayor but I don’t see him winning the primary; unless the Working Families party pulls double duty in the primary campaign for him.
By the way: “True News” blog is one of the best political blog sites in this city but I have one knock. There are too many positive stories that can be reported which the editor (Tilzer) ignores; not every political story is about corruption, waste or power-abuse. Gary has a unique style to his reporting/
blogging. It is truly a different blog. You should earmark it.
So now, let me get to the other John. State Senator John Sampson is one of the nicest politicians anyone can ever meet or know: period. He is a wonderful human being. I am not saying perfect; but I am saying that he is far more humane and compassionate than most of the electeds I have been involved with. He
may stay quiet in meetings when one expects him to be talkative and dominant, but that’s because he is careful and meticulous. He plans. Many people underestimate his political skills. He is neither rash nor impetuous. He is quite level-headed.
When a politician has very few enemies we have to then consider that person a successful pol. That’s John Sampson. He has political skills that many wish they possessed. He can shrewdly deal with difficult issues and difficult people without leaving his fingerprints or DNA on the weapons.
Recently John Sampson selected attorney Ravi Batra to the 14 member Joint Committee on Public Ethics. I am told that John Sampson had one appointment to make. This selection (Batra) has come under scrutiny and attack since Mr. Batra was once counsel to the former Brooklyn assemblyman (and
Kings County Dems leader)named Clarence Norman; who was also a partner in Batra’s law firm for a relatively short period of time.
To the Ravi Batra press-hoopla I say this: “whoop-dee-damn-doo”. Since when does your legal representation (and counsel) of someone, disqualify you from holding down an appointment to sit on a board or agency? Why should someone be saddled with his or her law partners legal woes? It’s ridiculous what they have been trying to do with this selection of Sampson’s. It’s obvious that John is under some kind of political microscope by two-faced pols out to get him.
Mr. Batra is East-Indian. The fourteen member board now has thirteen members in place. Three are female. Twelve are white. Batra is the only non-white member of that committee. HELLO!
I am writing all this based on several phone conversations I have recently had with reluctant staffers of this board. I also spoke to staffers in Albany‘s District Attorney office.
It is nice when politicians talk about inclusion, empowerment, diversity, respect, and the like, whenever they come courting black and Hispanic votes in crucial elections; but they are just full of shit: most of them. Too many boards, statutory agencies, directorships and organizations (both public and private) adhere to the tacit “white-only” policy in this city, state and country. In 2011 this is as shameful as anything else in this country. It’s time for the democrats to truly respect their most loyal voters: blacks.
The Ravi Batra I have known over the years is a classy gentleman. He has practiced law for over thirty years without a blemish/censure from the Bar Association. I cannot verify this but it was said to me that he has been vetted by the Obama administration and found totally qualified and clean. I am also told that he has been vetted by the Patterson and
Cuomo administrations: and ditto.
When you ask people to use one word in describing Ravi, you will hear: “witty”, “classy”, “elegant”, “smart”, and such. He knows the political players in this city. He is well connected. His “Facebook” picture features him with David Dinkins (former mayor of NYC). This is nit-picking at its nadir.
This is just another incident where John Sampson has demonstrated political courage. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this selection: NOTHING. The real issue behind all this hoopla is the make-up, quality, and composition of the many boards, directorships, commissions and agencies, on which the mayor, governor and other electeds appoint people.
I had some grad students do a study on some of these entities and found (not surprisingly) that too many of them are vanilla in color and flavor. As I have said many times, one of the biggest problems in this country is both the open and tacit denial of racism in the day to day running(s) of the government: worse yet in the private sector.
John Sampson does many positive things without fanfare and publicity. Recently he held a Christmas party exclusively for the child shot in the face during a routine shootout in Brownsville, Brooklyn. He regularly shows up to comfort the families subjected to gun violence there. He quietly works behind the scenes to ensure that drug companies expand affordable prescription plans in poor neighborhoods. He works quietly to find common ground with his republican counterparts. He is a consensus builder not an alienator or polarizer. He is just an all-round nice guy. Plus he totally respects the Caribbean-American
community (his father was born in Guyana). His work and popularity within which helped him get to office in 1996.
John was born in Brooklyn, but he is accepted as both Afro-American and Caribbean-American as much as Yvette Clarke is. His ties to that community go real deep.
Here is an observation. If you look at the treatment David Patterson, Malcolm Smith and John Sampson (all black males) received while holding prominent leadership positions in the senate, you will find a consistent pattern of disrespect coming from mainstream media, and also from some non-black members within their caucus.
Remember the stunts pulled by Krueger, Monseratte, Diaz and Espada; now examine the stunts pulled by state senators Diane Savino (Staten Island), David Carlucci (Rockland County), Jeff Klein (Bronx) and David Valesky (Onondaga County). Last year, they formed a gang of our and decided they will caucus with republicans. They sold out for 20 pieces of silver. They were rewarded with committee chairs by the republican controlled senate. They have since raised over a quarter-million dollars with their PAC.
These dogs voted to strip the power of the lieutenant governor (democrat) to break ties in the senate chamber with his vote. They are disloyal democrats. In fact I suspect they are democrats in name only (DINOs). They need to be punished for their insurrection and mutiny.
I remember privately suggesting to John Sampson that he recruit candidates to challenge them all, only to have him rebuff me. I even suggested hitting them with consistent bad press, only to be rebuffed again. John honestly feels he can work with these traitors: good luck sir.
John needs to know that when you lay down with dogs you wake up with fleas. John also needs to sign on (like the governor) to the term-limits initiative for Albany state legislators, which I started in one of my columns: earlier this year. In this initiative, state legislators will have a twelve-year limit starting immediately (2013). Show some more courage John: sign on. Albany needs a reformation.
Stay tuned-in folks.