Tonight was the endorsement meeting of the Independent Neighborhood Democrats for this year's judicial races.

Okay, let's cut to the chase: IND endorsed the exact same slate of candidates as CBID.

Diana Johnson for Surrogate Court

Kathy Levine for 6th District (see below)

and for the four countywide seats:
Debra Silver
Carolyn Wade
Robin Sheares
Fred Arriaga

Now for the jucier stuff that I am learning everyone likes to read.

The big event tonight turned out not to be the endorsements, but a withdrawal. Devin Cohen, who I have plugged publicly and who was backed by Jo Anne Simon, Alan Fleishman, Eric Adams, and Joan Millman, chose tonight at the club he used to serve as president to withdraw from the 6th Civil Court race.

I heard Devin speak at CBID last week (missed part of his speech, but caught part) and he did very well. He is a great speaker as well as being one of the few completely trustworthy people in Brooklyn politics. Devin seemed ready to hit a groove of campaiging as he spoke to CBID, and if he didn't get their endorsement it was no surprise since Kathy Levine was a past President of CBID.

Tonight Devin was even better. He was poised and comfortable. He outlined his reasons for running, his long history of political activism going back to the Carter administration, and emphasized his long relationship and service to IND. And I could see the audience was very receptive. And then he delivered the unexpected news:

"I have thought about this race a great deal, and I have decided that it is not my time." (repeated from memory...so may not be perfect quote)

It is a testament to not only Devin's support in the club, but also his delivery that there were actually scattered gasps when he announced his withdrawal. He withdrew graciously and proceeded to introduce Kathy Levine, his would have been rival for the seat.

Many were impressed with his graciousness and Joan Millman and Jo Anne Simon all but pledged their support of a future run by Devin. A friend of mine admitted she was actually relieved because she found both Devin and Kathy excellent candidates and found the race a rare occasion of not having to vote for the least of evils so much as having to choose between two good people. With Devin's withdrawal she no longer had to face a difficult choice.

By and large the speeches given tonight other than Devin's were about the same as those given at CBID and I have largely covered them. I will say that CBID was more challenging and had more in depth discussion regarding the independence or lack there of of each candidate, often asking harder questions. But I think by now most people already knew what is what and who they were supporting.

I should note that all of my sources that Graham has dropped out approached me to insist that they got it right from Graham and that is was true...and they seem right. It was announced by IND's president that he had withdrawn. Alright guys! Let me just say that in Brooklyn it pays to be skeptical of declarations that a candidate has dropped out! I wanted to give the guy a chance to counter the rumors, given that false rumors of that sort have been a standard political practice in Brooklyn. I don't apologize for being cautious! But, my sources appear to be right and one of them did tell me this a couple of weeks ago.

I have to admit I was flattered once again by Robert Miller's apparant need to address what I write about him, though I take exception with what I write being described as "tearing him apart." In fact I have always emphasized that he stikes me as pretty good, but it is true that he HAS had past ties with the machine (as have others) and that he chose to run the defense funds of someone widely considered as sleaze (Clarence Norman) and someone I originally described as sleaze but was corrected (by a SUPPORTER of Miller's, mind you) to describe not as sleaze but as scum (Dov Hinkind). I will add that past reports of Miller being Vito Lopez's candidate this year (something that was originally reported elsewhere) seem to not be materializing. I have heard from several sources that Vito seems to be sitting it out this year...something one person laughed at and considered amazingly unprecedented. I am unconvinced Vito will sit it out. All the reports I have heard to date indicate that Vito MAY sit it out...but they all also give me the impression that Vito is leaving his options open. But previous reports both here and elsewhere that Miller was already receiving Vito's support were jumping the gun.

And a word to Miller. Don't be so thin-skinned. Nothing I have written is tearing you apart! I have, I think, been fair in the description of all of the candidates for Surrogate. I have said that all had good qualifications and yet none were as independent of political influence as many would like. That isn't tearing apart. That is a fair assessment. I have been far less kind to others and some of them still call me fair, so please don't take it personally. Understand that when you choose to help the defense of someone who is widely known as being corrupt, you are going to be challenged for it.

In all fairness, when qualifications are discussed, Miller has the better specific probate law experience but no judicial experience while Diana Johnson has little or no probate law experience but extensive judicial experience. All those I talked to after both CBID and IND felt Johnson was the better candidate, was more likely to actually listen to people before her at the bench (though, again to be fair, Miller emphasized his intention to listen as a judge) and Johnson got both endorsements. I think Miller's excuses for running Clarence Norman's defense fund were not convincing to most at CBID and IND. Having said that, some expressed the hope that Miller would get his chance at a judicial spot in the future and no one really had much to say against him. Keep away from the machine (they aren't helping you anyway) and the stain of having been close to them before will probably fade. That is my advice. And thanks for reading! My intention is to be accurate and fair.

Diana Johnson was spoken highly of by many, including some who have opposed her at times in the past. The bottom line is that Seddio should never have been Surrogate in the first place. It was a fix. The general sentiment is that Johnson should already be there.

The racial issue was brought up. Some see this as a case where black politicians are lining up for Johnson and white politicians for Miller. I have seen this in the past and I have even voiced some criticism of IND for not being sensitive enough to its image of largely supporting white candidates. This time around I do not see race as being an issue. The fact that both CBID and IND fairly easily endorsed Johnson indicates this. There ARE racial/ethnic/class issues in Brooklyn and I have written at some length about them...and gotten some criticism from white liberals for doing so. But I don't see it as an issue this time around. Johnson is a very good candidate and I think that is the main reason people are supporting her. Miller is a good candidate who has had some unfortunate friends in the past and they weren't even very good friends. Given that he does have a qualified, good opponent, people are going to take his past ties as a deciding factor. If he was up against unqualified opponents it would be different. But he is up against someone who is widely viewed as someone who should ALREADY be Surrogate. So his past ties with the corrupt machine are remembered. Let that be a lesson to people! Corruption will ultimately hurt you. The Republicans are learning it, we should learn it here as well.

Congratulations to those who have received the endorsements of CBID and IND, and to those who didn't, most people feel your time will come.