Although the focus has been on the presidential primaries- where I have been batting in the .900 range- the beat goes on in NYC politics. Especially in my favorite borough: Brooklyn. So let’s catch up on things (important or not) for the political crack heads out there. I will leave my comment section open for this one, but please: “don’t start no shit” (as the late great Richard Pryor used to say/lol).
Word is that our first black governor (David Paterson) is pissed at the Bill lynch crew. He needs to get a friggin grip. Bill Lynch and Associates have always had his back and he needs to show some more loyalty. Trust me when I say he will need that crew again real soon. Didn’t Luther Smith (Associate) step in to do damage control when Patterson’s Lieutenant-governor campaign was in the doldrums? Didn’t Bill help in putting together the support that convinced Spitzer to select David? And did they not work hard to convince many to help convince David to run; even when he was reluctant to do so? Did they not help keep Ms. Eve in the fold when she could have caused some problems by running for the position? After all: she was out there first. Anyway; the point is: David Paterson needs to know where his true friends reside. Bill Lynch and Associates have been -and still is- very loyal to the governor.
I go way back with Paterson but not on a personal level; back to when Colin Moore ran for the City Council in 1993. He supported Colin; and as members of the Marcus Garvey Political Organization, we reciprocated by supporting David for Public Advocate. Despite his recent “zipper-issues” and stuff, we all still like him a lot; we all still support him. We are all rooting for him to get pass his current problems and settle down to doing a good job as governor. I must admit to being somewhat disappointed when he kept those upstate prisons open, during the recent budget negotiations; at least that’s what I have heard. Anyway, I will cut him some slack for now, and continue rooting for him to succeed. I will even say a prayer for the brother. One other thing; please David: shut the fuck up sometimes. And remember that new friends may sweep clean, but old friends know all the craggy corners.
One little speck about the presidential primaries: the Clintons are tenacious muthas aren’t they? They are like herpes to a promiscuous and irresponsible teenager: always coming back. And when you think you have them cornered, they slip out the noose like Houdini. I feel strongly that they will quit the race before the convention; they should have done that already.
People are saying that the Billary Clintons will run for governor of New York in two years. Some others are saying that Bloomberg will do the same. They are also saying that Rudy Giuliani and congressman Peter King are both dead on arrival relative to the same race. What are Chuck Schumer, Tom Suozzi, John Faso and Andrew Cuomo going to do about this race?
Is the Albany DA inept/incompetent? Or is he just another political joker in the pack? Last year he (David Soares) could find little or no wrongdoing in the “Trooper gate” scandal; but now that Eliot Spitzer is history, he suddenly starts acting like a real DA. He demonstrates exactly what many ordinary people hate about most electeds: their lack of sincerity. I hope he gets challenged next time around.
In good old Brooklyn, all eyes are on Diane Gordon’s bribery trial, which is taking place as I write this. If Diane goes down then there will be a dog fight to replace her (40thAD). Kenneth S. Evans has already declared for the September primary, and expects lots of company in the race. James Tillman and/or Nathan Bradley, Tony Forman, Winchester Keys, Inez Barron and Earl Williams are all possible entrants here. There are a couple other names being mentioned also.
The battle for the 21st Senatorial is heating up, as Kevin Parker and Kendall Stewart select dueling weapons. Word is that both will get union support for their cause and that there will be many surprises among endorsees. Stewart has been getting lots of encouragement for his challenge from many who are tired of Parker’s arrogance and antics. Expect Stewart to put together a coalition of whites, Hispanics, Jews and blacks against Parker. This should be a very interesting race folks. Parker is the favorite, though Stewart can upset him. Word is that Stewart has been promised the endorsement of the Transit Worker’s Union. Is this true?
Is John Flateau running for the city council (36th)? Rumors out of Bed-Stuy are that the race to replace Al Vann will be crowded. I have already spoken to two potential runners there. One of the potential candidates is a young attorney who is being backed by the Harlem crew. Last time the uptown boys entered Brooklyn’s politics they supported Jennifer James, in a spirited run for the 40th district last year. She came in second in a nine candidate field. Some Brooklyn political activists don’t care for this encroachment from the Harlem crew; so keep your eyes on this seat folks.
Eric Gioia is intent on running for Public Advocate folks. He has been making the rounds and is assessing his chances of a victory. Eric will make a fine Public Advocate; he is energetic and level headed. He will have to get beyond his Queens base though; but he does have some time to build a citywide operation. I do wish him luck once he formally declares.
In other council races next year in Brooklyn; Eric Blackwell is undecided about another challenge to Tish James (35); Carlos Bristol is running hard in East New York (42); Terry Hinds is doing likewise in East Flatbush (45); and Stan Kinard is undecided about challenging Darlene Mealy. David Miller wants to make a comeback, and Reggie Bowman is missing in action.
Two black female attorneys considering running this year or next- for races in Brooklyn- are Pia Wood and Cinceria Edwards. Ms. Wood is no stranger to the rough and tumble world of Brooklyn’s politics, having run in 2006 for a county-wide judgeship. She deserves our support this time around, if only for her tenacity, fortitude and determination. Ms. Edwards has never run before and is considering the State Assembly and/ or district leadership in Bed-Stuy. She may even enter the council race next year. Both attorneys bring tremendous credentials to the table. Another attorney (white) considering a race for a judgeship is gay activist John Serpico. A couple years ago some of us supported John and we will probably do it again if he enters this year.
Word on the street relative to the Brooklyn Boro Prez race is that State Senator Karl Krueger is running for the seat, and that he has a large war chest (money) already amassed, and a top consulting firm to guide him through this race. If he runs then it brings the field to four, including Bill diBlasio, Charles Barron and Yvonne Graham. Why do I feel that a Hispanic candidate will enter shortly? I don’t think we have heard the end of this race’s entrants folks. It’s a long long way to Tipperary.
People are asking if Marty Markowitz has the guts to run for mayor of NYC. I feel he does have the guts. I know him as a courageous fella and I expect him to take his chances, like the many who have already declared. Marty’s entry makes the race more interesting than it already is folks; believe me when I say that they are all underestimating Marty’s chances.
In Brooklyn’s 42nd AD rumors abound that Rhoda Jacobs will be getting a new challenge, from a young black female attorney. Her supporters are saying that they will lean heavily on the perennial runners (Michele Adolphe and Zachary Lareche) to get out of the way. I am sure this will be fun to watch, since I doubt they will be easily moved. Word is that James Connolly wants to make a return and run for district leader-a position he held before- in the same district. By the way; talking about the same district: where is Leolin Schliffer? I think the last time I saw her face it was on a milk cartoon. Leolin: call me.
Is Jeffrey Davis running for male leader in the 43rd AD? Is Andre Mitchell running against his friend Carlos Bristol in the 40th AD? It looks as though they both have eyes on the male leadership post; just like two or three others. Is Musa Moses Moore running? And what about Gerry Hopkins?
Anthony Herbert continues to press his case against State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, as he continues his effort to organize young voters in central–Brooklyn. Tony faces an uphill task against Montgomery but is undaunted in his efforts to unseat her. Lately he has gotten some positive press for his efforts in dealing with the crime situation in his district.
Homeboy Errol Louis has been getting a lot of media exposure on CNN lately, with his quality analysis of the presidential primaries. Errol is making us all proud. He still needs to acknowledge that I was the only blogger/writer who called the Iowa primary for Barack Obama though/lol. I still await my due Errol. I also think that it is time that people who lose political bets to me start paying up their tabs. Don’t let me come looking for you folks now; you know who you are.
For a fleeting moment some people thought that Sidique Wai would make a run for congress this year; but it doesn’t appear that he will. Fact is that Sidique Wai has been looking at congress for many years, but hasn’t run since his failed council effort seven years ago. He is currently the Public Relations Officer of the New York Police Department, since leaving the NYCHA. He is a smart and articulate public policy wonk.
People keep asking me if I will run in the 40th council district next year; I will have a decision by Christmas folks. Right now I will continue to run my mouth (oops, my pen) and continue to watch things unfold. Stay tuned-in.