Manhattan Fundraiser for Staten Island Candidate- De facto Democratic candidate Manny Innamorato, in the technically nonpartisan special election campaign to fill Andrew Lanza's usually empty Staten Island South shore/Mid-Island council seat (Lanza, Marchi's successor and Matt Titone's State Senate opponent had the worst attendance in the Council )against State Assemblyman and Vito protege Vincent Ignizio, holds a Manhattan fundraiser tomorrow Jan 24, 2007 at the Beekman Pub, 15 Beekman Street adjacent to City Hall from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Suggested Donations are $75, $125 and $150.
Council Members Christine Quinn, Mike McMahon and Vinnie Gentile are among the hosts..
For more information contact Laura Sword 718 556-3823 or Jason Ascher 917-750-4206 Main office (718)317-0206
mannyforcouncil.com
Headlines, January 24-
Via Hotline, reaction shots to the speech; John McCain seems to have fallen asleep. Which, I suppose, qualifies him to run the country or something like that.
The Washington Post: Harold Meyerson throws acid on Bush's speech; the characterization of the latter as a 'delusional hedgehog' in Isaiah Berlin's typology of rulers is only the mild beginning.
The New York Times tries to say nice things about the speech; fails; reconsiders; and plunges the knife in Bush's political corpse again and again and again.
Glenn Greenwald: "Joe Lieberman has probably become the single most poisonous Beltway voice when it comes to the war in Iraq."
Capitol Confidential neatly summarizes the state of ethics reform. Long story short: more work to do.
Taegan Goddard: Obama wipes the floor with Hillary, internet-wise.
And lastly, lest we forget, Darth has a Libby problem.
Please tell me this isn't what I think it is-
So I cruise on over to the web site of Wingnut Maureen Maureen O'Connell, mainly to check whether she's got any mention of a woman's right to choose (nope) or has finally acknowledged being a republican (ditto). These are sore subjects, it seems, for that campaign.
While there, I checked her District Map page, reproduced above. And here's my question: what do the shadings of that map signify?
Please tell me the shades of brown don't stand for 'this is where the brown people live'. That would be just unbelievably crass.
[Update]: Okay, Okay, it's not about the brown people. Still, considering the republican track record, it's not as if that would be a totally unheard-of assumption.
O'Connell skips debate-
So there was a debate last night between Craig Johnson and Maureen O'Connell; or, to rephrase that, there should have been a debate, except that O'Connell didn't show.
I'll say it again: O'Connell didn't show because she doesn't want to publicly discuss her views on a woman's right to choose. Thing is, at an event put on by The League of Women Voters, as this one was, those questions would have been asked.
Oh well, too bad for the voting public, I guess.
The status quo fights back- We're at a crucial point, I think, in our state's history. New York has a real opportunity to break open decades of encrusted, corrupt lethargy; we have a new governor elected on the promise of reform with a crushing mandate, the Senate seems about ready to flip, and most importantly, We The People know things need to change.
Someone should tell the old guard, because they are fighting hard to keep Things As They Are.
For example, The New York Times has an article about the crusading Albany District Attorney that also lays out the resistance he's encountering from those content with the rot.
Closer to home, the old guard seeks to make an example of the special election in SSD-7.
The Murdoch Post reports that our sweet and cuddly billionaire mayor, the guy so many of us voted for because he's almost a Democrat, just threw a cool quarter of a million dollars into helping Maureen O'Connell, the anti-choice extremist who aspires to be Joe Bruno's next little helper.
[M]uch is at stake beyond just a single seat in northwest Nassau County — control of the Senate, for instance, where the Republican majority has been nearing the vanishing point, as well as the reform agenda of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who broke with a tradition of gubernatorial nonaggression in such races to appear in an ad hailing the Democratic candidate, Craig Johnson, as an ally in his crusade to fix Albany. [...]
This race is, though, about something larger — which is the reason the eyes of the whole state are on it. Governor Spitzer will need the cooperation of the Republican-dominated State Senate if he is going to make progress on the ambitious reform agenda he has laid out. Mr. Johnson has vowed to be his ally in the coming battles, while Ms. O’Connell is likely to give reinforcement to the Albany status quo.
For voters who have hopes that Mr. Spitzer will succeed in fixing Albany, as we do, Mr. Johnson is the obvious choice. We enthusiastically endorse him.
And there you have it.
Headlines, January 29- Must-read of the day: Governor Spitzer's Op-Ed in the Daily News.
The New York Times: the music industry has found a way to deal with one aspect of illegal music downloads – give it away to college students in connection with advertising. Makes sense, considering their high appeal to advertisers.
Also in the Times, the Prince of Wales comes to New York, plays basketball, and manages at some point to embarrass Bill Weld, a feat thought unmanageable previously.
And while you're on the Times web site, check out this article from the magazine on 'nutritionism', in-depth luxury journalism at its finest.
The Albany Project: Joe Bruno uses campaign funds for vacations. Kind of like Vito Fossella.
The Washington Post: 'Clinton draws mixed reviews in Iowa'.
A new project emanating from MyDD: The Real McCain.
And lastly, Newsday reports on Maureen O'Connell's extremist anti-choice record, points out that the NYS 'Right to Life' folks say they were best buddies for years, and that O'Connell hides the fact that she's a republican.
Cover-up in Nassau County as O'Connell stonewalls release of unfavorable audit- A breaking story from Nassau County: County Clerk Maureen O'Connell, currently running for the state Senate, is suppressing an audit performed by the Nassau Comptroller, Howard Weitzman. The audit is being suppressed through some deft bureaucratic maneuvering; under regular procedure, O'Connell's office is given the right to respond to the document, however, the staffer who would craft such a response is conveniently on leave until after next week's election. Until then, she's going to hold it back, as she has been for the last several months.
In short, it's a cover-up right before the election, and O'Connell is crying partisanship by way of defense.
With a week left before the special election in the 7th State Senate District, candidate Maureen O'Connell is feuding with Nassau Comptroller Howard Weitzman over the possible release of an audit that is said to shine a negative light on O'Connell's leadership in the county clerk's office. [...]
The audit's contents are unclear but sources in both political parties who are familiar with the audit say it criticizes some of O'Connell's management abilities.
The sources also say O'Connell has delayed the report for months by claiming that staffers were not available to answer questions related to the audit. In addition, O'Connell said Weitzman's requests to question members of her team would have caused the office to shut down periodically.
Since she took office in January 2006, O'Connell has touted her accomplishments. "I've turned an office around in 12 months that had accumulated a 15-year backlog," she said. "We've brought the office into the 21st century and my staff has done a superb job."
Obama on Iraq- [Ed. note: The following is a letter from U.S. Senator Barack Obama, D-IL. Bumped.].
Dear Friend,
Today, we sadly find ourselves at the very point in Iraq I feared most when I opposed giving the President the open-ended authority to wage this war in 2002 – an occupation of undetermined length, at undetermined cost, with undetermined consequences in the midst of a country torn by civil war.
We have waited and we have been patient. We have given chance after chance for a resolution that has not come, and, more importantly, watched with horror and grief the tragic loss of thousands of brave young Americans.
The time for waiting in Iraq is over. The days of our open-ended commitment must come to a close. And the need to bring this war to an end is here.
That is why today, I’m introducing the Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007. This plan would not only place a cap on the number of troops in Iraq and stop the escalation, it would begin a phased redeployment of U.S. forces with the goal of removing of all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by March 31st, 2008 – consistent with the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group that the President ignored.
The redeployment of troops to the United States , Afghanistan , and elsewhere in the region would begin no later than May 1st of this year, toward the end of the timeframe I first proposed in a speech more than two months ago. In a civil war where no military solution exists, this redeployment remains our best leverage to pressure the Iraqi government to achieve the political settlement between its warring factions that can slow the bloodshed and promote stability.
Headlines, January 31- Tomorrow night at 6 PM is our big blograiser at Prey, 4 West 22nd Street. Get your tickets here.
The New York Times: Eliot releases his budget.
The Albany Project: Craig Johnson builds momentum, with several endorsements by unions.
Rochester Turning tramples Jim Walsh.
If you want to know anything at all about black politics, you're not going to find a better source than Rock Hackshaw. Here's his newest column.
Jason Gooljar suggests six 'Interesting steps to fight consumerism'.
And lastly, via Capitol Confidential, the latest skinny on the brewing confrontation between the legislature and the governor over the selection of the new Comptroller. Here's a hint: the voters gave Eliot Spitzer a mandate. We want reform. We do not want the usual process games.
Who has a mandate here, Mr. Speaker?- The legislature is engaging in brinkmanship over the choice of the new Comptroller.
Let's review: Eliot Spitzer was elected in November with 69% of the vote. The freshly elected governor and the legislature agreed on a procedure to select a new Comptroller to replace Alan Hevesi. Now, Speaker Silver is threatening to ignore that procedure and install his own choice.
This because, presumably, elections don't matter in the Albany Sewer.
Or because, presumably, what the voters demanded in November wasn't change or anything so upsetting as that. No, we voted to prolong the process games and feudal legislative fiefdoms that got us in trouble in the first place. We voted, I guess, to extend further the system of three men in a room. We voted for cronyism, because overall, it seems, we're happy with the way things are done.
Eliot emails- Well, this is interesting; I just got a nice email from Eliot, or more accurately, from Spitzer 2010. Looks like our crusading governor means it when he speaks of taking it to the people. Considering the games being played by the legislature, this is precisely what is required.
Here's the full email:
Dear Friend,
We're now a month past Day One, and I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the steps we have taken to change everything.
Since Election Day, I have assembled a team of New York's best and brightest minds to help us solve the challenging problems facing our state. In just the past week, I have announced the appointments of Dan Gunderson as Upstate Chair of the Empire State Development Corporation and Manny Rivera as Deputy Secretary of Education, two supremely qualified individuals who will bring to their offices the passion and vigor New York State so desperately needs. Dan comes to us from Pennsylvania, where he earned national acclaim for spearheading innovative public-private partnerships that revitalized Pennsylvania's economy. Manny has served as Rochester's Superintendent of Schools since 2002 -- named New York's Superintendent of the Year in 2005, and earning the title National Superintendent of the Year in 2006. These are just two of the many outstanding individuals who have joined the administration, and we are continuing to conduct national searches for experienced leaders with the expertise our state needs.
Snip. There's more.
Special Election heats up- The special election in Nassau's Seventh Senatorial District is heating up. Some signs of this are collected right here.
Via The Albany Project, Craig's newest campaign spot, made as usual by Spitzer adman Siegel:
Via The Politicker, the Jewish Press endorses Maureen O'Connell.
Look for this tomorrow-
That will be the header graphic of our liveblog for Raise New York, the Craig Johnson blograiser with Eliot Spitzer. We'll be starting about sixish. If you haven't gotten your ticket yet, or want to give but haven't yet, now's the time; click on the image above.
Headlines, February 1- Today's the day we Raise New York. See you there or live, online, right here.
The New York Times: A New York jury handed down a death sentence in a Federal case.
Also in the Times, the battles between the governor and the status quo.
The Albany Times-Union has the budget breakdown.
Molly Ivins has passed away at age 62; The Texas Observer pays tribute to a remarkable woman.
In The Washington Post, traitor Bob Novak warns the republican party about the voters.
Capitol Confidential: Zing! Craig Johnson shoots down Maureen O'Connell.
Robert Greenwald takes a sharp knife to the tattered reputation of David Brooks, pointing out that the latter is both consistently wrong and in a tiny minority.
And lastly, Michael Arcuri votes for, among other things, increasing Pell Grants and spending more money on veterans' health care. And here the nation was breathlessly waiting for action on flag-burning and gay marriage.
Andy Stern of SEIU attacks Spitzer, mocks WFP- Via MyDD comes this video interview with the head of SEIU, Andy Stern, explaining why his union, in New York, is supporting Maureen O'Connell.
In so doing, he manages to trash the Working Families Party ("[hasn't] worked successfully"] and to deliver a very simple message: reform of this state is not as important as every single last dollar spent, wisely or not, that SEIU is interested in. And to make sure SEIU keeps every last penny it considers its due, they'll be working with Senate republicans.
To quote: "Eliot Spitzer made a speech today that made our members incredibly angry, attacking them for some of the high costs of health care. [...] So you ask people, why would they support people who feel like they're the enemy against [republicans] who seem to want to work with us to get things done? And so, it's complicated, but it's fairly simple for our members."
A quick preview- Courtesy of Lipris, here's the video that will be shown tonight at Raise New York.
This is going to be. So. Hot.
Council Fundraiser- De facto Democratic Staten Island City Council Special Election candidate Manny Innamorato has just qualified for matching funds. However he needs raise more money to win the seat that has been in the hands of do nothing Republicans for years.
Manny is holding a fundraiser on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at Jody's Club Forest, 372 Forest Avenue 7-9 PM.
$50 More appreciated.
For more information contact Laura Sword 718 556-3823 or Jason Ascher 917-750-4206 Main office (718)317-0206
Jody's is a popular Staten Island Democratic hangout famous for having the largest NCAA basketball pool in the city. The Harrison Congressional campaign was formally launched at Jody's and our headquarters was next door.
mannyforcouncil.com
Raising New York with Eliot Spitzer offline and online-
Where are we going to be [http://preynyc.com|offline]?
Prey NYC
Feb 1 2007
6pm
4 West 22nd Street
http://preynyc.com
How about [http://cafe.culturekitchen.com|online]?
Check out our new chatrooms at the [http://cafe.culturekitchen.com|culturekitchen CAFE]. I am going to open them at 7pm.
All you have to do to register is to use your ID at either culturekitchen or The Daily Gotham or any other Drupal site, the name of the site and your password. So you would sign-in like this :
username : your_user_name@dailygotham.com
password : your_password_at_dailygotham.com
And so on for all the other sites.
For those who find this too cumbersome, just hop stick around. Michael and I will be liveblogging over here as well.
Any questions?
Hollaback.
We're gonna rock the house anyway you want it.
Live from PreyNYC, it's Raise New York!- The connection is a big sluggish but were here, we're here. I'm gonna grab myself something to drink and will be right back.
Comments are all yours to use.
#######
If you want to join the chat, just go to
http://cafe.culturekitchen.com/chatrooms/chat/5
It's open to everyone.
##
Eliot is not here yet. For those who may still are debating to join us in meatspace or not.
###
The place is filling up really quickly. If you are still pondering it, you have little time left.
###
Craig is out in Long Island. His wife is here. Eric Shneiderman just introduced me to her. Nice woman, totally into blogging.
Lurvs it!
###
Countdown to Eliot. He's going to be here in 2 minutes. I can't believe Justin from Drinking Liberally just left!
Jeffrey Feldman, Frameshop is here. So is Lindsay Beyerstein.
###
Bill Perkins is here. In da house!
###
Paul is here and he says hi.
####
I have David from SYMPHIC Technology is here. He says he got an email and he's just here. Isnt' that awesome. He was asked to contribute and he did. He's here.
###
Who's in da house?
Elana Levin
Dave Pollack
Ed Herzog
a bunch of people from New Democratic Majority.
Voters in northwestern Nassau County go to the polls Tuesday for a pivotal special election for a state Senate seat. They should cast their ballots for Democrat Craig Johnson, who outshines his opponent on the issues and is committed to reforming Albany.
A county legislator, Johnson is running for a spot vacated by a Republican who took a top job under Gov. Spitzer. Electing him would leave Majority Leader Joe Bruno two seats from losing his grip on the Senate and move New York closer to wholesale reforms in one house of the Legislature. That's why Spitzer is behind Johnson.
An ugly final weekend?- Newsday reports that the Craig Johnson campaign has requested Federal poll monitors from the Department of Justice to prevent republican voter intimidation efforts.
The republicans, apparently, are fearful of rumors that there may be black people voting.
The New York Times has more:
In Nassau on Wednesday, Republican election officials sought to include forms for challenging voters in the kits prepared for polling place workers. The Democrats blocked the move, but there is nothing to stop Republican workers from taking the forms to the polls and using them.
Mr. Mondello served notice that his field workers would closely scrutinize voters. “Our poll watchers and election inspectors will challenge people to show some kind of identification as to who they are,†he said. “They have a right to ask for identification to make sure you are John Smith. Our people have been cavalier about this in the past. This time, in this election, we’re dearly concerned.â€
Pollak speaks- From Lipris, here's the video of Dave Pollak speaking at Prey on Thursday. Fun fact: right behind him is netroots hero Brian Keeler.
Travels in Mineola- Went out to see what Craig's folks are up to; quite a bit of activity, I must say.
Mineola.
Local retail.
The man himself. In the background is Senator Liz Krueger.
Home stretch in the Seventh- Nassau voters go to the polls on Tuesday; and as Newsday aptly puts it, "[i]f you live in the 7th State Senate District and have a regular history of voting, there is a near 100 percent chance that someone will knock on your door Tuesday and kindly suggest you go to the polls".
The New York Post, meanwhile, states the obvious:
Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno needs O'Connell to win to preserve his fragile lead in the Senate. If he doesn't, he will hold just a two-seat majority - and the contest is seen as a bellwether on the future of the GOP's control there.
"It'll be a door-to-door battle, there will be troops coming in from all over, because there's a lot at stake here," said Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf. "It's the battle of Eliot Spitzer's 'new politics' versus the state's 'old politics.' "
Craig and Eliot are out today, campaigning at Superbowl parties; Senator Clinton is coming out Monday; and on Tuesday, anyone who is anyone in New York will be hitting the pavement.
It's on, folks. To volunteer, call 516-294-3366, or click here. The WFP (kicking ass, as per the usual) also needs volunteers, here.
Daily News mocks Desperate Maureen- Har.
The Daily News published an editorial today about that Maureen O'Connell flyer; the editorial is the printed equivalent of standing on a table, pointing fingers and laughing.
Craig Johnson is the man to complete your tremendous mission - all your work. Craig’s opponent, Maureen O'Connell, "says she supports stem-cell research (emphasis added) ... but her voting record indicates otherwise. In 2004, O'Connell introduced a bill that would have banned... most forms of stem-cell research." - Newsday, 1/29/07
America has had enough of such duplicity. We want honest supporters of the research in office, and that will only happen because of people like you.
Please know, that our hopes and dreams and best wishes ride with you tonight.
People like my paralyzed son, and my sister who has cancer — we may never know your names, never be able to shake your hand and hug you — but when my son walks again, and when my sister emerges from the valley of the shadow of death, maybe we will look back upon this night, and remember what you did, and have done.
Thank you for this great effort.
Like the patrolmen who daily risk their lives against gangsters with guns, like the firemen who charge into the choking smoke and roaring flame to rescue a stranger, like the nurses who labor beyond exhaustion every day-- you are truly New York’s finest.
You are fighting for more than the great state of New York. All across this country, people are tired of narrow ideological restriction on research which may save lives.
We want our families safe. We depend on strong supporters of stem cell therapies and cures—people like Craig—and that means people like you, who will take that extra step, do that last little bit of additional labor, knock on one more door, make one more phone call, or give one more ride to an elderly person who has no way to make it to the polls-- to eak out the victory which will change the world for the better.
From all of us who love someone who is at risk, we need the hope your courage inspires.
We send a hug-- America sends a hug and handshake and a high-five—to the warriors of New York.
Go, go, go, and GOTV-- get out the vote tomorrow!
Thank you.
Don C. Reed
www.stemcellbattles.com
Maureen O'Connell, flip-flopper- Maureen O'Connell, in a letter sent to governor Spitzer on 01.16.07:
A recent Craig Johnson campaign piece quoted you as saying that you need Craig to help bring real reform to Albany. Having looked over your reform agenda, I found that I can easily support it. In fact, as a member of the Assembly, I sponsored or voted in favor of similar reforms.Newsday quoting O'Connell, 02.04.07:
O'Connell, speaking before a crowd of several hundred cheering supporters at the American Legion hall in Williston Park, called Johnson "a sidekick" to Spitzer and criticized his support for the governor's property tax reduction plan, which she said actually would raise homeowners' taxes.
So what's it gonna be. hmmm?
[Update]: Community Alliance weighs in with a similar argument, though better put than our efforts.
GOTV for Craig Johnson- [Updated]:Tomorrow (as I post this on Monday evening) Today is Election Day. We need all the help we can get to make sure people go to the polls and vote for Craig.
The campaign office is open late tonight and early tomorrow right now. You can reach them at 516-393-0700.
See you at the victory party. This post is staying at the top all day, scroll down for fresh content. Rather, we'll include this info in every single post. Much better.
SSD-7 breaks records- The New York Times: The Nassau special election has officially surpassed all records for a state legislative race, with a price tag now above $5,000,000.
Underscoring the importance of the race: both the republican and Democratic Presidential frontrunners campaigned in-district yesterday:
Hillary...
...and Rudy, sans Bernie Kerik (all images NYT).
Newsday reports remarks by Senator Malcolm Smith that winning this race, with some party-switchers, could wrest the Senate from the enfeebled republican clutches. He mentions a 'zone of potential agreement', 'ZOPA', on which we'll have a few things to say when the time comes.
Johnson Campaign launches voter protection blog- Alex Navarro emails over this blog effort to document republican voter suppression tactics. Check it out, here.
It's on, people. To volunteer, please call 516-393-0700.If anyone challenges you at the polls, please call 1-800-300-8707 immediately.
Sponsored by: The Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause/NY, DEMOS, League of Women Voters/NYS, NYPIRG.
Win The State Senate, Campaign For Johnson, Stay Warm In NYC- Are you a cold weather wimp like me? You can still campaign for Craig Johnson in the 7th Senatorial District. The Special Election is today. Give some time for phone-banking:
ACT NOW NYC Phonebanks
ACT NOW is organizing final weekday phonebanks in Manhattan. Join the phonebank Tuesday, February 6 (Election Day) from
12:00 to 8:00pm. All phonebanks at the Communications Workers of America office: 80 Pine St at Pearl St, 1 block north of Wall St., 37th Floor. Close-by subways are 2/3 and J/M/Z at Wall Street.
For more information contact ACT NOW NY at info@actnowny.org, 212-717-7125 or on the web at http://www.actnowny.org.
We can help Craig Johnson win this seat, today. Those of us unwilling to brave the cold no longer have a good excuse, thanks to Heather W. at DFNYC.
Sleaze in the Seventh-
This just in from Nassau Voter Protection; the above flyer (click to enlarge), clearly pretending to be an official statement from the U.S. Attorney's office, is currently being districbuted in the Seventh District.
Somebody really should call the AG's office.
40th City Council Race: Two More Forums- As the SD-7 race ends, the 40th City Council race heats up...and the field narrows a little. But it is still a HUGE field and it is hard to keep track of the players. To date I have only met four of the candidates: Moe Razni, Jesse Hamilton, Zenobia McNalley and Wellington Sharpe. All seem like good people, though personally I prefer Jesse and Zenobia so far.
Two more candidate forums (am I the only person who is enough of a Roman nerd to use "fora" as the plural?). Our good friend Chris Owens sent me this. And I should note that many, including Rock Hackshaw and people I know at both IND and CBID, thought Chris should run for this seat, but Chris refused because he felt it would be hypocritical for him to move in on that race after the big deal he made about Yassky moving into the district to run in the CD-11 race.
Hate in the Seventh- Resolved: republicans are human garbage. That's pretty much the conclusion after seeing this desperate piece of hateful crap from Maureen O'Connell, wingnut:
Oh, and there's this:
Hateful, desperate, bigoted, un-American filth. That's the republicans for you.
(Hat tip to The Albany Project).
[Update]: Oh wait, there's more. After a republican judge denied their illegal request for blanket I.D. checks, the O'Connell thugs are back in court to try that again. Desperate scumbags.
Republican Board of Elections Commissioner Sends Out Illegal Order For Election Inspectors to Disregard County Attorney's Letter on Voter ID
Democrats: We're Prepared for the Worst
MINEOLA – With four hours before polls close in the hotly-contested special election between Craig Johnson and Maureen O'Connell, the Republican County Board of Elections Commissioner has taken illegal steps designed to intimidate and suppress voters.
Commissioner John DeGrace has illegally ordered election inspectors to disregard a legally binding court order, as well as the written instructions of the Nassau County Attorney – effectively encouraging Republican poll workers to suppress voting by demanding identification from voters.
DeGrace issued an order on Board of Elections letterhead requiring Election Inspectors to "disregard" the Nassau County Attorney's letter delivered to all poll watchers this morning.
Johnson campaign spokesperson Alex Navarro said, "We're prepared for the worst. Our campaign has deployed dozens of extra voter protection attorneys to at-risk areas, We have real concerns that Commissioner DeGrace is attempting to interfere with the lawful conduct of the last hours of this critical special election."
DeGrace's actions are illegal for two reasons:
1. First, the Republican chair issued the order on official Board of Elections letterhead without informing the Democratic Commissioner, Bill Biamonte. Under law, neither Commissioner can act unilaterally. By issuing orders without informing his Democratic colleague, DeGrace has violated election law.
2. The order issued by Judge Brandveen last night is still in effect while a stay is in effect. Until this stay is lifted in Appellate Court, Judge Brandveen's order is still in full effect. Judge Brandveen's order stated that all polls and all poll workers should have access to the letter issued by the Nassau County Attorney, and requiring elections workers to disregard this law is requiring them to disobey a court order.
There's more:
Nassau election results open thread- Alrighty, this is it. We'll be posting results as they come online. Meanwhile...
...Log Cabin republicans, poor befuddled creatures that they are, cry foul over Maureen's vicious anti-gay literature; they had previously given her $8,000 and volunteered for her. Suckers. (NY Blade)
...A phone call I just placed to Lipris reveals hectic activity in Great Neck. I also hear Port Washington is surpassing expectations.
...Keeler and Pollak are out in the field.
[Update1]: When results come, they'll be posted here.
[Update2]: Just posted a diary on DKos about those illegal republican shenanigans.
[Update3]: It's 8 PM, the polls close in an hour.
[Update4]: Kickass; top of the Rec list on DKos. Polls close in fifteen minutes, and I'm now hearing that Great Neck looks "very good".
[Update5]: 9:04 PM EST, polls have been closed for four minutes. Results will begin trickling in in about fifteen minutes or so.
I just called into HQ to see if any numbers have come in. Early results suggest Maureen O'Connell has won her district.
We'll see how she fares elsewhere.
Use this post to scream with impatience. I'm listening.
CRAIG JOHNSON WINS!!!!!!!!- http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-livote0207
STATE SENATOR-7TH SD-UNEXPIRED TERM
264 EDS COUNTED 264 EDS IN RACE
CANDIDATE NAME PARTY RESULTS CANDIDATE TOTAL
CRAIG M JOHNSON D 24,915
CRAIG M JOHNSON W 1,537 26,452
MAUREEN C O'CONNELL R 18,988
MAUREEN C O'CONNELL I 1,689
MAUREEN C O'CONNELL C 2,252 22,929
Make that 'Senator Craig Johnson'-
...and the steamroller wins.
Craig Johnson 26,452
Maureen O'Connell 22,929
Goodbye, Joe Bruno. Goodbye, Wingnut Maureen. Goodbye, republican party.
It's over.
In the room on victory night- Yup, I was there, having spent much of last Saturday and election day canvassing, knocking on doors to get out the vote.
The night began slowly, with O'Connell taking the early lead. Fairly soon, however, Johnson began to build a lead that got as high as 4,000 votes. Suddenly, almost out of nowhere (shades of Florida 2000?), O'Connell not only erased that, but with 87% of the precincts reporting, grabbed her own lead of 800 votes.
No Florida here, however, as Port Washington and Great Neck came through. They were the last to report, and the victory was assured. And the party really began!
Sure, the speeches were made at the front of the room. And sure, everybody clapped and cheered. And sure Craig (make that "Senator" Craig) Johnson got the loudest cheers -- with the possible exception of his wife, who is truly amazing.
But the real action wasn't on the stage, bedecked with Nassau County Democratic bigwigs, Democratic state Senators, and Lt. Governor David Paterson. The real action was in the back of the room.
Volunteers were congratulating each other, not fully realizing what victory really meant, only knowing that it felt really good.
Campaign staffers, far too short on sleep, vacillated between overcome and overjoyed, and back again, as if they needed someone to tell them where to go next -- the new habit of campaigning having quickly become an addiction.
Republicans STILL Don't Get It!- Maureen O'Connell's string of dirty-dirty-irty-irty tricks shows that despite their rout in November, Republicans still haven't remembered the lesson of their founder:
“You may fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.â€
--Abraham Lincoln, the best Republican President
Aftershocks- There was a political earthquake last night. The election of Craig Johnson to a seat that hasn't been occupied by a Democrat in a century puts the future of the state Senate into play, and strengthens the mandate of Eliot Spitzer for a full-throttle reform push.
That raises several questions.
First, will Shelly Silver insist on ignoring the procedure he agreed to and choose a Member of the Assembly for the post of Comptroller?
Second, if he does so, what will governor Steamroller do?
Third, if Democrats now manage to flip the Senate, will the new leader, Malcolm Smith, continue to embrace reform, including the full implementation of the Brennan Center reforms? Or will it be business as usual under new management?
Stay tuned. This fight isn't over quite as yet.
The Art of Flipping- With Craig Johnson’s victory, speculation will heat up over Democrats’ apparent plans to try to persuade a pair of Republican Senators to flip across the aisle. The two most commonly mentioned candidates are Joseph Robach of Rochester and John Bonacic of Orange Country.
Robach is a former Assembly Democrat, who, as Rochester Turning has described, was lured into the Republican camp at least in part by Joe Bruno’s promises of member-item money. He knocked out Democratic Senate incumbent Richard Dollinger, in a challenge he claimed was motivated by a dispute with Shelly Silver over redistricting in his Assembly District. But the prospect of $5 million a year in discretionary funds probably didn’t hurt either.
Bonacic, of course, was a very lonely Republican voice calling for Joe Bruno to step down as majority leader, considering all those FBI investigations and so on. Credit where due: Bonacic went out on a limb, and now there’s no guarantee that Bruno won’t try to saw it off.
So let the debate begin. Let’s be clear: we want the Senate. We’re not pie-in-the-sky idealists in the NY netroots; we know how important it is for the well-being of New Yorkers to have a Democratic Senate at last, and we know how tough it is to take out incumbents. We’ve been there.
The Comptroller struggle - who should decide?- * The legislature should honor the arrangement agreed to with Eliot, given his clear mandate for reform.\n* The legislature should ignore Eliot and his mandate and pick a new Comptroller from their own ranks.\n* \n* \n* \n
You're welcome, Senator Johnson- From Craig Johnson's web site:
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Thank you so much for all of your help. This was a tremendous victory for the residents of the 7th Senate District, Nassau County and all of New York State.
This seems like the right place for Liz and I to offer special thanks to the bloggers and the netroots community who energized this race from near and far. I don’t want to leave anyone out, but let me mention The Albany Project, The WFP Blog, Daily Gotham, Nassau GOP Watch and, of course, Daily Kos, which hosted our blograiser.
Together, we’re going to move New York forward.
Best wishes,
Craig M. Johnson
A note to the legislature- You can't improve on pure brilliance, so let me just direct our readers to BuffaloPundit's brilliant open letter to the legislature.
I would add only this: the people are watching. The people expect reform. No, we don't want some clubhouse hack as Comptroller. Choose one of the three contenders selected in the process you agreed to.
Either that, or admit that you're a bunch of irrelevant hacks who don't give two cents about the will of the people. And then, face the consequences.
[Update]: Oh, nevermind. Hackery as usual.
So if you thought this netroots/party/grassroots thing was a fluke...- ...well, you were wrong. We're just getting started. Next up: an event with Senator Schumer on February 21st. He'll be reading from his new book, Positively American.
We'll bring you more details as they become available.
Valentines Week and the City Council- A list of wonderful events in the City Council. Its OK to wear red this week. Only for this week.
City Council Calendar for Monday, February 12th, 2007 - Sunday, February 18th, 2007
If you feel you have received this email in error or wish to unsubscribe, you may forward to this email address legcalendar@council.nyc.ny.us with
"Unsubscribe" in the subject.*
- - - - - - Speaker Christine C. Quinn to Give State of the City Address - - - - - - -
On Thursday, February 15th at noon, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn will give her State of the City address outlining her priorities for the upcoming year. Check the City Council home page at www.nyccouncil.info for more details or to watch the State of the City address live by webcast.
- - - - - -Council Responds to Purchase of Starrett City Housing Development - - - - - - -
Speaker Quinn spoke on behalf of a number of Council Members in response to Bershire LLC's purchase of the Starrett City housing development in Brooklyn, stating "We are anxious to see Berkshire's plan for preserving affordability at Starrett City. Losing nearly 6,000 apartments from the City's affordable housing stock would be a blow to the families of Starrett City, and would severely worsen our already desperate citywide shortage of affordable housing."
The Race to Replace Yvette: Major Owens Endorsement- As the field of candidates slowly narrows, and as many of Chris Owens' supporters seem to be lining up behind Zenobia McNally, Major Owens has issued his long expected endorsement of Jesse Hamilton:
Major Owens Endorses Community Leader Jesse Hamilton In Brooklyn's City Council Special Election
Brooklyn, NY – Major R. Owens, recently retired from the U.S. House of Representatives, has endorsed Jesse Hamilton, III, for membership in the City Council of New York . Congressman Owens' statement:
Jesse Hamilton is an experienced community leader and a family man. He has earned the opportunity to serve 40 th Council District residents in the City Council. I support Jesse Hamilton's candidacy because I believe he is the superior candidate of the many who are running. The District deserves the best representation because it has been underserved for several years. The New York Times and I have sometimes differed politically, but we both agree that Jesse Hamilton is the candidate best equipped to immediately handle the demands of the City Council. And I am glad that District Council 37 and other organized labor organizations agree as well.
Jesse Hamilton has held unpaid offices serving the community and he knows how to handle the different levels of government. Jesse Hamilton has been a respected leader on education and public safety issues, serving with distinction on Community School Board 17 and Community Board 8. This is not a time for a Council member to "learn on the job." Jesse Hamilton has the experience; he is ready to take on the development and housing challenges, as well education, community health care, and immigration services. As a public servant and as an attorney, Jesse Hamilton knows how government works and will "hit the ground running" when he is elected.
40th Council Race heats up with a Joint Endorsement- Well as all 10 candidates fight for endorsements one organization feels like acting like a "Twix" commercial. Instead of picking one candidate they picked two. That is right "Two for me none for you"
I could not resist...
Here is the press release from Citizen Union's endorsements:
For Immediate Release
February 12, 2007
Media Contact:
Sara Stuart, 212.227.0342 ext. 16
Citizens Union Issues Endorsement for Brooklyn's 40th Council District
Zenobia McNally and Wellington Sharpe Secure Joint Endorsement in Crowded Field of Talented Candidates
The historic good-government organization, Citizens Union, announced its support for two candidates running for the City Council seat being vacated by Yvette Clark in central Brooklyn. After extensive interviews with the candidates for the 40th council district, Citizens Union has issued a joint endorsement for Zenobia McNally and Wellington Sharpe. While the organization prefers to issue a single endorsement, it found that these two candidates stood out amongst a crowded field of well-qualified candidates. With ten candidates vying to fill the shoes of the former council member, narrowing the field to support just one candidate was difficult.
Tangled lines in the 40th- The special election to fill Yvette Clarke's seat in the City Council has labored under a bit of a low profile recently, in part because of the special election in the Seventh Senatorial District. With the election a week from today, however, there's reason to take notice.
Ben Smith recently declared a front-runner, based on, cough, Yvette Clarke's endorsement, which went to one Matthieu Eugene along with 1199's support. Major Owens surprised a lot of people by endorsing Jesse Hamilton (including me, because I'm hating his quasi-wink-wink-homophobic 'Family Values' schtick). And today, Citizen Union jointly endorsed Zenobia McNally and Wellington Sharpe.
The race is, or so conventional wisdom has it, essentially between these four. Stay tuned, and by all means check out the contenders' responses to the Citizen Union endorsement questionnaire, here.
The Race to Replace Yvette: Footage of the DFNYC/CBID Candidates Forum- As Yvette Clarke participates in the historic "busy as a bee" Congress, the race to replace her is approaching the final days. With so many candidates and with a very low voter turnout expected, your participation as a donor, volunteer and/or (if in district) voter could do A LOT to determine the outcome. For the progressive grassroots, it is small elections like this that can be our best shot at success since so few people are participating. So, I suggest to pick your candidate and get busy if you want to be part of it. You can find a list of candidates with links at the DFNYC website. After much consideration, and only having personally met four of the candidates, I lean towards Zenobia McNally. In this I differ both from my former Congressman (Major Owens, who endorsed Jesse Hamilton) and my current Congresswoman (Yvette Clarke who endorsed Mathieu Eugene, whose residency in the district has been called into question). However, there are several good candidates and all of them deserve your consideration.
The Race to Replace Yvette: Jesse Hamilton- Newly elected District Leader Jesse Hamilton has been part of the fight against the Brooklyn Democratic Machine for some time. His race to replace Yvette Clarke received a boost of sorts due to an endorsement from Major Owens. He also claims an endorsement from the NY Times. He has been president of Community School Board 17 and VP of Community Board 8.
Here's footage of Jesse Hamilton from the DFNYC/CBID candidates forum:
The Race to Replace Yvette: Stonewall Democrats- Here is footage of the candidates running for the 40th City Council district answering a question from the Stonewall Democrats.
I should note that as far as I know Stonewall Democrats has not endorsed in this race, but Zenobia McNally has received the Lambda Independent Democrats endorsement.
More Zenobia-
I swear this is completely unplanned, but today seems to be Zenobia McNally Day here on Daily Gotham.
Some time ago, Liza and myself sat down and did an interview with her, which is now available as a podcast.
Part OnePart TwoPart ThreePart Four
Long story short? I think she's pretty awesome, and a good choice for voters tired of the hacks that seem to monopolize much of the political discourse in the black community.
The Race to Replace Yvette: Moe Razvi- Continuing to take bits of the DFNYC/CBID candidates forum, here is the bit with Moe Razvi. I met him, was pretty impressed but he didn't really take any strong positions. Can't find a website for him. Here he is at the forum:
The Race to Replace Yvette: Wellington Sharpe- Wellington Sharpe is something of an always ran. His latest run is to replace Yvette Clarke. He is founder and president of Nelrak Child Development Center and a member of Community Board 17. He is considered to be something of an ally of the Norman-era Brooklyn machine, though I personally liked him when I met him, found he was in agreement with Bill Batson and myself regarding the significance of arson fires in Brooklyn, and held several good positions. Rock Hackshaw of Room 8 has endorsed (and I believe is working for) Sharpe, but I am unaware of any other endorsements (none are listed on his site).
The Race to Replace Yvette: A Rundown- So I have now posted what I consider the key segments from the DFNYC/CBID candidates forum for the 40th City Council district. Now I want to give a rundown.
First off, I am not impressed with Mathieu Eugene. He seems to be fudging regarding actually living in the district and seems to have supported Republican State Senator Marty Golden in the past, though I would be happy if someone can provide information to the contrary. Both rumors, though persistent, seem to come from opponents. Still, he has no website and strikes me as the hackiest of hacks. And all of the candidates other than those listed below strike me either as uninteresting or having no chance. However I invite discussion!
Wellington Sharpe seems a good guy and I find I agree with him on many issues. He seems to be STRONGLY civil libertarian, something we could use more of in the Bloomberg/Gotbaum NYC where dissent is discouraged in all sorts of ways, including police harassment, intimidation and even baiting protesters to try and get them to turn violent. But apparent links to the old Norman machine give me pause. I also have to say that I have yet to feel convinced by him. I would like someone who can convince me he can be effective. Sharpe comes off too much as a perpetual candidate. I could be wrong here. My initial impression of him was a reserved positive. The reservations have remained even as people I respect dismiss him as "machine."
40th City Council Endorsement: The Voters and The Weatherman- With so many candidates in the race it makes it difficult to choose one.I am partial to some and thought about going the "Citizen Union" route but I have a better idea. I am proud to announce I have endorsed the voters of the 40th Council District and the Weatherman.
With a special election turnout will be low. This is disappointing with so much on the line in regards who wins this seat. The winner will be responsible for getting money from the City Council's huge budget(millions of pork) in this area. With 4 days to go not many people still do not know there is an election.
10 candidates fighting for 3000 votes is not how the future of the district should be decided. I hope with each candidates GOTV strategy as well as other venues to alert the voters yields higher turnout. We can not complain or blame the system if we do not participate in the system.
As for the Weatherman endorsement this was a tough one. I was leaning toward Mother Nature but its easier to blame the weatherman. As it stands its looks like at mid 30's day with no precipitation. This help with turnout. If we had anything like the last two days the winner may have had 74 votes total.
So lets make a s
Mathieu Eugene & Marty Golden- In response to Mole's post below on a possible connection, I did a little research (about 10 minutes' worth):
A Mathieu Eugene, of 1420 E. 87 St. in Brooklyn, donated $1,500 to "Friends of Martin Golden" on September 7, 2006.
If this is the same Mathieu Eugene who is running for City Council, then we have a connection.
My source is the committee reports on the State Board of Elections website, here.
You can also vote Feb.19 for the Feb. 20 Special Election- PUBLIC NOTICE
THE BROOKLYN AND STATEN ISLAND OFFICES
OF THE
BOARD OF ELECTIONS IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
WILL BE OPEN ON
PRESIDENT’S DAY,
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2007
FROM 10 AM UNTIL 4 PM
TO PROCESS ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS ONLY
FOR THOSE VOTERS REGISTERED WITHIN THE
40TH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT - BROOKLYN
and the
51ST COUNCIL DISTRICT - STATEN ISLAND
FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTIONS BEING
HELD IN THOSE DISTRICTS ON
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2007
Is the Media Anti-Statenite- I've been taking the Times Empire Zone and Ben Smith to task today for being anti-Statenite.
Link Texthttp://empirezone.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/02/20/its-election-day/#comments
Link Texthttp://www.r8ny.com/blog/ben_smith/turning_out_in_the_40th.html#comment-369392
The Senation of Voting on Ethnic and Cultural Lines.- Coming off the Special Election in Central Brooklyn my ideas about voting slightly changed. Matthieu Eugene winning the 40 City Council on the ticket of first Haitian City Council person to galvanize turnout made me wonder about voting on a national level.
We talk about picking the best candidate yet when asking people why the voted for Eugene or another candiate some state "I am Haitian and I will vote for Eugene" or "He is Jamaican and I am Jamaican too" There is nothing wrong for voting for someone who can relate to you on that level but does that guarantee the best candidate for the community at large.
Obama now running for President sends the same signals in my opinion. Most people will be supporting Obama because he is black. The idea of the First African American President ever does get people excitied. However is he the best qualified candidate?
The question I pose here I guess would be do we vote more with our hearts and emotions than our minds and good judgement?
P.S. Congrats to Matthieu Eugene on his victory.
It's Mathieu -- Gezundheit!- Score one for the Clarkes. Yvette and Una backed Dr. Eugene Mathieu to succeed them in the City Council, and he won big.
In a field crowded enough to be almost Californian, Mathieu reportedly received about one-third of the vote easily outdistancing the competition.
'Nuff said.
One of the newest members of the City Council will not be sworn in until he has actually established residency in the district he's been elected to represent.
In other words, he ain't gettin' in until he moves in.
Who will replace Lavelle- The Staten Island Democratic Association, the Island’s progressive Democratic club, hosted a forum for candidates seeking to fill the late John Lavelle’s vacant North Shore 61st State Assembly District seat Thursday night at the American Grill, which was packed with onlookers and 11 office seekers.
There will be no primary. A relatively small cabal of County Committee members residing in the 61st AD will decide who gets the nomination. I moved to the 61st AD from the 63rd 2 days after Election Day. I was supposed to have been appointed to the County Committee back in June, but somehow I was never officially added, so I may be not be part of the cabal making the nominating decision.
Most Staten Island democrats live in the borough’s North Shore and those aspiring to run for office representing that part of the Island typically have to wait in line for a chance to do so. This is why 11 people at the forum sought the nomination, while there may be no Democratic candidate to contest Council special election winner Vincent Ignizio’s newly vacant South Shore Assembly seat, if his opponent Manny Innamorato doesn’t seek to represent the heavily Republican South Shore in Albany.
Matt Titone is Democratic Choice to Replace Lavelle in Assembly- Former State Senate candidate Matt Titone prevailed in a marathon Staten Island Democratic County Committee Convention that I am very angry that I wasn’t allowed to be part of , to select who will run in the March 27 special election to replace the late John Lavelle last night. Titone defeated Supreme Court deputy chief clerk Bob Olivari, the late Assemblyman’s son Danny and another former State Senate Candidate Kelvin Alexander, who I would have supported at least in the Convention that ended at 12:30 AM’s first ballot. I ultimately would have switched support to Titone after early balloting placed Kelvin at a distant 4th.
Danny Lavelle unlocked the convention by throwing his support to Titone after it became apparent that he wasn’t going to win.
Despite finishing way out of the money, Alexander , the founder of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, is on the ballot as the Independence Party nominee. Although I would have supported Alexander at the Democratic Convention, my vote will go to Titone in the Special Election.
Alexander is a member of the County Committee and should not jeopardize a safe Democratic seat by siphoning votes from Titone, who would normally attract 70 percent of the vote in an election against Republican Rose Margarella. Margarella, a junior high social studies teacher received 28 percent of the vote against Lavelle in November.
Titone Fundraiser- State Senator Diane Savino and Downtown Staten Island Council Vice Chair Kevin Barry host a March 7, 2007 6-8 PM fundraiser fundraiser for Democratic Assembly candidate Matt Titone @ Vida
381 Van Duzer Street Staten Island, NY 10305.
Suggested Donations are $500, $1000 and $2500, but Matt won't turn away those who can't afford to give at those levels.
For More information contact Nick Vagelatos (212)239-7323.
Year of Special Elections- Feb. 6 we saw Craig Johnson get in. On Feb. 20 we..well saw.. sorta had two more special elections. We now have three more on March 27. So much for an off year in New York. It looks like it if Dr. Eugene does not get through we are looking at a 40 City Council race part 2. Now do not forget Diane Gordon is expected to got to jail and her 40th Assembly seat will be vacant which means another special on the way.
With so many specials still on the way anybody here looking to run for office?
Rock! the City Council- I suspect that many people have been following the special election in the 40th District in much the same way as people watch old Laurel and Hardy movies: "Look! Una Clarke just got another pie thrown at her! Ooooh, now her hat's bursting into flames! Oh God! Yvette! How many times can you run against that wall?"
I mean, seriously; if you're going to demonstrate your clout by getting someone elected, wouldn't you at least make sure that this person fulfills the (minimal) requirements to be seated after the election? Not to set too high a bar or anything like that, of course.
Let's just assume that in the end, there will be another election, no matter how many rallies Una doesn't call on the steps of City Hall. For that eventuality, Ben Smith has a modest proposal: draft Rock Hackshaw.
To that, I say Huzzah! and go for it. One Love, heh.
Yvette Clarke on Yassky, then flips for Eugene- As Eugene fights for his seat I find it interesting Yvette is backing him though the same reason why he is being held up on his swear in is the same reason she felt Yassky could not be the Congressman on the 11th CD.
Here is a blurb from a interview on Channel 4 with Jay DeRapper during the race last summer:
DeDAPPER: Yvette, you've been in the city council, too. You've worked on many of these issues.
Ms. CLARK: That's right.
DeDAPPER: You ran against Major Owens last time...
Ms. CLARK: Yes, I did.
DeDAPPER: ...and you lost.
Ms. CLARK: Yes, I did.
DeDAPPER: Should this seat be held by an African-American to represent--or not even necessarily an African-American, someone of color--to represent the people in this district, the majority of the people in this district, who are people of color?
Ms. CLARK: And clearly that is a decision that the voters will make. We have the candidates in this race, and they're seated here today. I think what's most important is that the voters look at authentic representation. Those who have fought...
DeDAPPER: What does--what does that--what does that mean?
Ms. CLARK: When I say authentic...
DeDAPPER: Because that sounds like--that sounds like a code word.
The Campaign Finance Board speaks, Can you say Special Election Redux?- Though it has not been finalized yet the Campaign Finance Board is preparing for another special election in the 40th City Council District. Eugene has yet to cooperate with the City Council by handing over documents and the rally at City Hall is still on for today to demand Speaker Quinn to swear him in.
The Campaign Finance Board has this to say about the whole situation:
http://www.nyccfb.info/program_law/cflaw/ao/AO_2007_2.htm
Titone Fundraisers- Parks Department Director of Government Relations and former Yvette Clarke staffer Michael Schnall is hosting a 7PM to 9PM Democratic Candidate Matt Titone dessert fundraiser tonight at his 73 ST. Pauls Avenue Staten Island home.
Mike's residence is fairly close to the Ferry, so this would be a fairly convenient event for those of you afraid to set foot on Staten Island to attend.
Titone, who ran for State Senate in November, seeks to fill the late John Lavelle's assembly seat in the March 27 special election.
For more information contact mikeschnall@gmail.com
To donate online visit Link Textmatthewtitone.com or
Link Textmatthewtitone.net
Joann Mardikos is the campaign's Volunteer Coordinator joannm56@aol.com or 718-816-0842.
Councilman Michael McMahon is hosting a March 13 7:30 PM Matt Titone fundraiser for Titone at Bridget's Public House, 461 Clove Road Staten Island.
Minimum suggested Donation $50, Silver Donor $100
Gold Donor $250, Platinum Donor $500. For information contact the Island's hardest working non-paid Democratic soldier Laura Sword (718)556-3823. laurasword@gmail.com
Mrs. Clinton, according to people who were in attendance, did not take sides. But she did joke that if the matter could not be settled now, she would “fix it†in 2009.
That's from the 'I may have just gotten re-elected to one job, but don't expect me to actually work for you while I'm angling for my promotion' doctrine. You may recognize it from last year's race in the Eleventh Congressional District, specifically the Yassky and Clarke candidacies. Both of these jumped out of the gate within days of their re-election to a four-year term in the City Council in November 2005. It's quite normal, expected even, for New York politicians to royally shaft their existing constituents as they work for that advancement their shining talents so richly deserve. You poor creature are just a voter, and guess what: you don't really matter so much to the caste of your professional overlords. Now spread 'em; there, that's a good little peon. It may be uncomfortable, but you can certainly vote for Hillary in that position, you know; perhaps more easily so, even.
A variant on this principle is currently playing out in the 40th City Council District, where the Clarkes, mother and daughter, found and backed some pitiable schmuck, a 'doctor' who has never practiced medicine in this country and did not even have the simple, baseline good sense to establish the in-district residency required to take office. The end result is that there's now the need for a new election – no, thank you, Una. We liked the first one so much we're all just thrilled at the repeat – twice the cost, sure, but twice the fun, too.
Una, Yvette and Mathieu owe you $340,000, probably even more than that- The Daily News has the story we've all been so breathlessly waiting for: there will need to be another special election in the 40th City Council District, because the rocket scientist who won the last one - that would be "Doctor" Mathieu Eugene - did not have the simple common sense to meet the legal requirements of holding office.
Such as, say, living in the district. Good for him, though, that they don't make these things clear to you when you decide to run.
Oh, wait, they do. Never mind.
"This great opportunity for the people I would represent, this historical victory for our city, has been shattered and tainted by technicalities," he said at a press conference with supporters on the steps of City Hall.
No, you dumbass. Your victory was shattered and tainted by your own unfathomable dumb-assedness. What part of 'you have to live in the district on election day to represent it' is too difficult for you? That's thirteen words, champ, none with more than three syllables. You tell me what's too hard about that for you.
The paper mentions a price tag for a new election of $340,000, though of course, there will also have to be additional candidate matching funds; the last election, the one just made moot because the winner declined to take the seat, cost $451,224, with more payments yet to come. That's about a nickel for every New Yorker. Literally chump change, since we all look like chumps now as New Yorkers.
Assembly Candidates Accuse Each Other's Campaigns of Bigotry- Candidates to fill the late John Lavelle’s State Assembly seat, the openly Gay Matt Titone and Kelvin Alexander, a co-founder of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care accuse each other’s campaigns of bigotry according to Saturday’s Link TextStaten Island Advance.
Democratic Candidate Titone, who lost to Andrew Lanza in a November State Senate bid, has been challenging Alexander, the Independence Party candidate (But still a member of County Democratic Committee) and Democratic Brooklyn State Senator Eric Adams ‘s chief of staff’s petition signatures. Not signatures for his Independence candidacy, but those for his made up additional line, the Family First Party (Which has nothing to do with the Working Families Party).
Alexander finished a distant fourth at the Staten Island Democratic Committee’s nominating convention, but anticipating that secured the Independence nomination and began petitioning for his made up party line before the convention.
Alexander ridiculously asserted Titone’s challenging of his Family First Party signatures, many of which were allegedly from non-registered voters and people not living in the district marginalizes blacks, while Titone counters that the word “Family†in Kelvin’s party moniker could be a homophobic code word suggesting that Matt being Gay means he’s anti-family.
RACE WITHOUT END: AMEN. (Part One)- The special election to find a replacement for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke in the NYC council, took place three weeks ago (2-20-07), with candidate Mathieu Eugene the indisputable winner. Now we are being told by the winner, that he will not submit documentation proving that he resided in the district by the day of the election, as the law states/requires, as interpreted by the Attorney General. But is Cuomo correct in this interpretation? We are in virgin territory folks.
In my 34 years in NYC politics, I have never seen or heard of the council requiring someone to prove their residency before swearing them into office. I am being told that it has never happened before in the four hundred and fifty-four year history of the council. So why do this now? Well, I will get to that in a minute.
Now we are being told that there would be a re-run of this special election. The Board of Elections (BOE) has said that it cannot take place before April 24th, 2007. The Campaign Finance Board (CFB) has even sent out an advisory in expectation of a new election. Exactly what that means is anyone’s guess. Do we go through a new petition phase? Do we run the same candidates (all) over again? Do we allow new candidates (Lord have mercy)? What are the ground rules? It’s becoming the race without end folks. Let’s all say a collective: amen.
Jim from the 44th enters the 40th- Well look who has entered the 40th City Council Race. Assemblyman Jim Brennan. No he is not running but he has made some waves in the race.
This is an email sent out to all the potential candidates in the race:
Assembly member James Brennan (44th AD) is concerned about the short notice that was given for the special election in the 40th CD called last Friday by Mayor Bloomberg.
The State Asssembly is printing a bill to extend petitioning for the special election to fill the vacancy in the 40th Council District. The bill would extend the petition period by one week and cut the number of signatures required by half (to 500).
We wiill keep you informed about this legislation.
Why or how will this affect the race?
Is this move have any relation to him running for City Comptroller?
Tackling the draft, and other issues- As I sit here in limbo pondering my future on the blogs (including Room8/ given that the editors have yet to issue a policy missive), I decided to tackle some issues left outstanding. For example, to the “Draft Rock for the 40th Council seat campaignâ€, I have to say: thanks, but no thanks. I am not a candidate for this race; neither now (April), nor in September and/or November (primary/general election). I am honored and humbled that some people could think that highly of me to submit my name for a “draftâ€; but at the present time it would be rather difficult to attempt to undertake a race with this short advance notice. So I will pass.
I must admit though, that something did come out of this “draft†campaign, and that is: I have decided to consider a run for Congress in either 2008 or 2010. I am moved to attempt a true grassroots campaign demonstrating people power; a campaign that will rely more heavily on human involvement than on obscene amounts of cash infusions. Maybe I am naïve, but I still think that this type of effort can be successfully replicated and resurrected. We will see.
By now near everyone who is regular to this site knows of my long-standing issues with ‘anonymous’ bloggers, who take tremendous liberties with the truth, and who believe that they have carte-blanche to write vicious things meant to smear, slander and character-assassinate; things not meant for constructive critique and debate. Well earlier this week another painful example surfaced to rear its ugly head. Someone, attempting to earn some points in their argument with Daily News columnist Errol Louis, mendaciously raised Errol’s wife as a link to Governor Spitzer. It was a low moment in the history of Room 8. Again, it was someone writing behind the cover of anonymity; a cover I equate with the KKK masks.
More on Titone and Alexander- The City Board of Elections denied Independence Party candidate to replace the late John Lavelle representing Staten Island’s North Shore in the March 27 Special Election Kelvin Alexander’s bid to place his made up Family First line (Not to be confused with Working Families which supports Democratic opponent Matt Titone ) as an additional line on the ballot. The board ruled that 611 of the petition’s 1616 signatures were invalid, leaving him short of the 1100 he needed for that additional line.
Alexander, a Staten Island Democratic County Committee member, is running on the Independence line and potentially turning a potential easy Democratic win into an opportunity for Republican Rose Margarella because the party chose Titone over him. He is undecided if he’ll fight the ruling with the state Supreme Court.
Alexander has accused any challenge of his fabricated party petition as marginalizing minority voters. I find that a stretch since he’s already on the ballot as a better known party’s candidate.
I also need to clarify that I am supporting Titone in this race. I have donated money to Titone, campaigned with Matt and have a Titone sign on my front lawn. There are some comments on the Link TextStaten Island Advance’s SIlive political forum that take out of context my initial backing of Alexander in the Daily Gotham. Although I would have voted for Alexander in the first round of voting at the County Convention had I been allowed to participate, I would have switched to Titone in subsequent rounds. Also for the SIlivers who read my blog, I was not one of the January Committee additions thought loyal to Olivari. I was told I was added in June 2006 and still haven’t been named to the Committee and thus still can not vote in County matters.
The Sean Bell Election of 2007- As the Sean Bell case moves forward, some may think it could not get more politically motivated. However it will. This year, DA Richard Brown is running for re-election in September. This makes this case the possible legacy of District Attorney Brown.
DA Brown has been dealing in the legal world for over 50 years, and as much work as he has done to better the system, he may be known as the guy who worked the Sean Bell case. How will this change the work on the campaign trail this summer?
At every stop along the trail, his years of work or the many convictions he garnered will mean nothing. One question, one topic will be at the tip of the voters tongue.
Now many would think I am assuming that if someone runs against Richard Brown this would happen. Trust me: there will be someone and not the type of candidate you expect. It will not be the black candidate who is the voice of the unheard that the Sharptons, Barrons pick or whom other community leaders pick.
Why do I say this?
The voting numbers show it will not work. The community may march, cry, and protest but they do not vote. A case like this, where many are screaming from the rooftops for change, many will not take a moment to go downstairs and turn the lever to vote. I have seen a line at 6 am in the morning at FootLocker for a pair of ugly Jordans, but no one comes out to vote during the walk home from work. So if DA Brown did a half ass job during the investigation or was not impartial, would it matter? If there was a change of venue or some other move that may imply a plan to get the officers off, what would the Black and Latino community do? Two segments on ABC news and on CNN of how we are mad, and then back to regular life. Think about this, all you possible candidates licking your chops and printing out your petitions. Also a friendly reminder to those who want hundreds of meetings to talk about how we need to make a statement and begin to change the system.
It's Titone- Stonewall Dems email over announcing that the winner of yesterday's special election in Staen Island is Matt Titone. Titone will take the seat of the late John Lavelle, representing the North Shore of the borough.
The New York Times:
In a special election yesterday, Staten Islanders elected the borough’s first openly gay official by selecting Matthew Titone to a State Assembly seat on the island’s north shore...
The Staten Island race in the 61st Assembly District drew a great deal of attention because of Mr. Titone and his two rivals. The Independence Party candidate, Kelvin Alexander, would have been the borough’s first black assemblyman had he prevailed. And Rose Margarella, the Republican candidate, would have been the first of her party to be elected from this heavily Democratic district in recent history.
With 100 percent of the votes counted, Mr. Titone received 2,888 votes, Ms. Margarella 1,846 and Mr. Alexander 1,122, according to unofficial figures from the New York City Board of Elections.
The question that should be asked, however, is whether Titone will actually represent his constituents, or become yet another faceless vote drone in the Assembly.
FASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS: UPDATE ON THE SPECIAL ELECTION RERUN (40th District)- Won’t it be ironic if there is no special election on April 24th in the 40th city council district? After all, many have accused Mathieu Eugene of wasting government money, with his refusal to be confirmed in a seat that he had won-given all his shenanigans after the election. Well, based on the buzz in the trenches, all the candidates that filed for the re-run were weak in their signatures. The speculation is rife that Eugene is in the driver’s seat and that he may well knock every opponent off the ballot. Won’t that be something?
When petitions were submitted, five candidates filed. They were namely; Mathieu Eugene (black/Haitian-American male), Wellington Sharpe (black Jamaican born male), Harry Schiffman (white/Jewish), Marie Gina Faustin (black Haitian-American female) and Darly Brutus (black Haitian-American male). Three of these ran first time around (Eugene/actual winner then, Sharpe and Schiffman); so it was a bit surprising to many, that the runner up in the last race (Jennifer James) didn’t show up in the re-run, given that Sharpe (3rd) and Schiffman (4th) did. Sensibly, the nine other also-rans stayed away from this race; thank God.
What is known is that there were discussions amongst various candidates who ran, with the intention of coming up with one alternative candidate to Eugene; these talks however seem to have been fruitless. At one point it was rumored that both Jennifer James and Leithland Tulloch were willing to endorse Sharpe, but these endorsements have apparently been rescinded up to the time of this writing. Of some of the other candidates who ran first time around: both Jesse Hamilton and Karlene Gordon are said to be endorsing Eugene in this upcoming race. Zenobia McNally is rumored to be pointing towards a September challenge for the winner of this re-run, and Ambassador Joel Toney is said to be mulling retirement from politics. Mo Ravzi is said to be interested in another run for some office somewhere down the road; while Jennifer James is said to be mulling over either a September challenge for this seat, or a run for congress next year. If she challenges Yvette Clarke, she will get lots of support out there folks. Gerry Hopkins is missing in action at the moment; Chris Owens still won’t run for this seat and yours truly refuses to be a draftee/lol.
Una Clarke: Don't Believe the Lies, Those Sweet Little Lies- Straight from the Top Clarke herself this letter prepares us for the second and hopefully final special election in the 40th City Council District.
It goes a little something like this:
"A word about Dr. Mathieu Eugene's Campaign for City Council
April 24 Vote
We are coming down to the final days of this campaign, and thankfully, we are very encouraged by the responses of the people to Dr. Eugene and to the campaign as a whole.
It is important that we do as we did last time - that is, each of our supporters reaches out to 10 friends, family and colleagues, persuading them of the importance of combining our strength in this common purpose. We will send a message again, that we are here, and we shall not be denied. We are focused and will not be distracted from our goal of making this a better place for our children to live in.
I ask you not to get distracted or fooled by those who know nothing about our community and mean us no good, but want to use us to get to places and then forget us.
Watch out for deliberate lies and efforts to discourage and prevent you from voting!
As a special election, even non-Democrats can vote. We know that there are a few of them out there, so please reach out to them to join in this historic moment."
FINALLY, AN END IN SIGHT; AMEN,- A few months aback, when I first wrote about the vacancy in the 40th city council district, I had never in my wildest imaginations expected so much drama to a simple special election; but drama we had, and maybe the best is yet to come. No sense rehashing all the funky stuff of the past few months, but let me bring some of you up to date as to where we are, with just three days to the election (part two).
About 48 hours ago, a federal judge put candidate Wellington Sharpe back on the ballot, after he was removed by the NYC Board of Elections, who had upheld a challenge on Sharpe’s petitions from the Mathieu Eugene camp. Then yesterday, an appellate court held that despite the fact that Eugene had created the present vacancy in this district- by failing to take up his duly elected post- he should be still placed on the ballot, since his deceptive behavior didn’t reach the level of a felony. They arrived at this position despite the fact that the law is clear: once you create a vacancy, you cannot run for said office. The law is also clear that failing to swear in to office meant that “you†created the vacancy. So on Tuesday (4-24-07), there will be a special election in Brooklyn again, with Mathieu Eugene, Wellington Sharpe and Harry Schiffman as the candidates. So much for the law, its variations and violations; and on we go, and on we go, and we go on.
Got any dirt, tips, leads or money for us? Then drop us a line or two at editors [at] dailygotham [dot] com or use our general contact form to reach everybody in the editorial team ASAP.
So I cruise on over to the web site of 
So there was a debate last night between Craig Johnson and Maureen O'Connell; or, to rephrase that, there should have been a debate, except that O'Connell didn't show.
I'll say it again: O'Connell didn't show because she doesn't want to publicly discuss her views on a woman's right to choose. Thing is, at an event put on by The League of Women Voters, as this one was, those questions would have been asked.
Oh well, too bad for the voting public, I guess.
That will be the header graphic of our liveblog for Raise New York, the Craig Johnson blograiser with Eliot Spitzer. We'll be starting about sixish. If you haven't gotten your ticket yet, or want to give but haven't yet, now's the time; click on the image above.
There's more... 
Mineola.
Local retail.
The man himself. In the background is Senator Liz Krueger.
Hillary...
...and Rudy, sans Bernie Kerik (all images NYT).
Newsday reports remarks by Senator Malcolm Smith that winning this race, with some party-switchers, could wrest the Senate from the enfeebled republican clutches. He mentions a 'zone of potential agreement', 'ZOPA', on which we'll have a few things to say when the time comes.
This just in from Nassau Voter Protection; the above flyer (click to enlarge), clearly pretending to be an official statement from the U.S. Attorney's office, is currently being districbuted in the Seventh District.
Somebody really should call the AG's office.
Oh, and there's this:
Hateful, desperate, bigoted, un-American filth. That's the republicans for you.
(Hat tip to The Albany Project).
[Update]: Oh wait, there's more. After a republican judge denied their illegal request for blanket I.D. checks, the O'Connell thugs are back in court to try that again. Desperate scumbags.
Image totally ganked from
my blogsister, Maryscott.
...and the steamroller wins.
Craig Johnson 26,452
Maureen O'Connell 22,929
Goodbye, Joe Bruno. Goodbye, Wingnut Maureen. Goodbye, republican party.
It's over.
“You may fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.â€
--Abraham Lincoln, the best Republican President
Craig M. Johnson
I swear this is completely unplanned, but today seems to be Zenobia McNally Day here on Daily Gotham.
Some time ago, Liza and myself sat down and did an interview with her, which is now available as a podcast.
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Long story short? I think she's pretty awesome, and a good choice for voters tired of the hacks that seem to monopolize much of the political discourse in the black community. 
