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One general rule of thumb in politics is voters don’t really pay attention to a race until September and Labor Day.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice, a Democratic candidate for attorney general, is probably hoping that’s the case after it has been revealed she did not cast her first ballot in an election until 2002, nearly two decades after she first registered to vote.
Staten Island District Attorney and Republican candidate for Attorney General Dan Donovan is promising not to seek higher office for two years after completing his tenure if he wins the state Attorney General's job.
Congressman Hall Says Busing is Back
By Michael Boyajian
The New York Times reports that rail travel is flat but bus ridership is on the rise. This information would seem to take the wind out of the sails of plans to build a network of super trains around the country though we suspect rail ridership is related to an aging national system and declining service rather than the need for super trains.
The Witch Hunters Among Us
By Michael Boyajian
They were there in the Dark Ages killing women accused of witchcraft.
They were there for the inhumanities of the Spanish Inquisition.
An investigative subcommittee has charged Congressman Charles Rangel with multiple ethics violations, but to those hoping the Harlem Democrat is going to resign, don’t hold your breath.
Rangel is a fighter, and when he does decide to leave, he’ll want to do it on his own terms.
In a statement Rangel said: "I am pleased that, at long last, sunshine will pierce the cloud of serious allegations that have been raised against me in the media."
"I will be glad to respond to the allegations at such time as the Ethics Committee makes them public."
This week has brought several expressions of outrage over Israel convicting an Arab citizen of “rape by deception” for lying about his religion in order to bag a Jewish girl.
Did he also promised not to come in her mouth?
He did promise her a “serious relationship, ” though, given his 18 month sentence, it appears that he was the one who had that promise visited upon him. This has to be a terrible disappointment to his wife and two children.
It is almost as if the State Senate Dems are so sure they are losing the majority that they decided to have a fire sale; better someone should get fired. Largely Unknown DSCC Consultant Cleared $300k In Last Year www.cityhallnews.com
Like Rose or not, when control of the Senate is so tenuous, there is no possible justification for spending this money on a City Council race in an area with zero impact upon any marginal Senate seats. Senate Democrats Send Cash To Debi Rose, Councilmember In DFS Lawsuit www.cityhallnews.com
FOR THOSE WHO THINK I HAVE A PRO_DEMOCRAT BIAS (OK, I do, but…): Yesterday I called my piece on the cowardice of Marty Golden in trying to avoid facing a general election opponent: "All foreskin, no schvantz."
But the Speaker fails even that low standard. Sheldon Silver's Lawsuit – WNYC beta.wnyc.org
The Mayor and the Mosque
By Michael Boyajian
Mayor Michael Bloomberg displayed true courage in his defense of the proposed lower Manhattan mosque. He exercised leadership in the face of great opposition but was rewarded for his strength by the continued support of the people.
State Senator Shirley Huntley: “They know that I don’t go out and raise a lot of money. I don’t try to take money from people who can’t afford to be giving it out…I take donations from my colleagues, of course. It's not unheard of. If you look at other people’s filings, they all do too. There is nothing unusual about… me receiving money from a colleague like John Sampson.”
Taking money from colleagues as indivduals is one thing–taking money from the Party conference's campaign committee for an intra-party primary in a safe seat is quite another; especially when they hold the Majority by a single seat.
Is Huntley dumb enough not to know the difference?
Clearly John Sampson sees Huntley's and Bill Perkins' survival as crucial to keeping his leadership, and clearly sees his staying as leader as more importan tthan the question of whether he leads the Majority or Minority.
And Democratic donors (especially those interested in same-sex marriage) should be on notice–better you should give to indivdual candidates or the the New Roosevelt Initiative than the DSCC. DSCC Kicks In For Shirley Huntley And Bill Perkins, Spending Money In Safe Districts www.cityhallnews.com