The worst of all possible outcomes
Well, there you have it. After a primary that nobody seemed to care all that much about - witness the abysmal turnout numbers - we're saddled with a candidate, Freddy "Third try, third persona" Ferrer, who seems to have just narrowly missed the cutoff threshold, and will now get the nomination handed to him by a concession. NY1 reports that Weiner is set to concede to Ferrer; this may save us from a reprise of the 2001 runoff, but I for one will never cast a ballot for Freddy. Ever. Nor am I alone in that position.
Further down the ticket is an even broader valley of ashes. Betsy Gotbaum will be the next not-so-public advocate. Charlie Hynes will remain in place as Brooklyn D.A. Their most capable challengers, Norman Siegel and Mark Peters respectively, barely made a dent. I heard from the Siegel campaign yesterday that a large portion of their paid (!) volunteers didn't even show up.
For the largest grassroots organizations, NDM and DFNYC, this election represents a black eye of epic proportions. NDM did bet, it appears, on a good horse in Anthony Weiner, who can safely be considered the natural choice for the 2009 nomination - because Freddy will never be mayor in this town - but for DFNYC, this must be a bitter day indeed. For them, the irritation of having been packed - thanks again, Giff - is compounded by having been packed by the guy who came in in last place.
The only winners in this race are Mike Bloomberg - who can now tear Ferrer to shreds, and will do so, to wide applause - and the Democratic Party machine.
The only lesson from this debacle is that New York Progressives need to work far harder if we ever want to have an effect. That's a bitter lesson, no doubt, but one well worth learning for the upcoming elections of 2006.
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2005 Elections | 2005 NYC Elections | New York City | Democratic Party
That's pretty offensive
Submitted by Bouldin on 14 September 2005 - 3:29pm.
Fine - it's your blog, you do what you want.
Meanwhile, if you think cracking the whip over committed Democratic activists like me is going to ensure unanimity for the guy you support, well, let's just say you should give that some thought. You might try what is known as "persuasion" instead.
Otherwise, you're right, I have no reason to be here, nor do a bunch of other people.
Yes. I was harsh, and for a reason
Submitted by Liza Sabater on 14 September 2005 - 5:19pm.
Make your case as to why Ferrer is not the guy. In the same post, tell us what make you change your mind. That presents opportunity for a debate.
But yes, it is my blog and I've been absolutely lax about the posting rules. This site will not serve as a platform for supporting the Republicans. EVER. You're better off at Urban Elephants than here.
I am serious, I still have to hear any valid reasons as to why he is not the guy to beat Bloomberg. Not one.
Am I distressed over the way he ran his campaign? OF COURSE I AM. It sucked. The whole primaries sucked. There was never a more divided primary by demographics in the history of this city than this one. It is cause for alarm and concern that Democrats are still in petty identity-politics issues mode at the local level ESPECIALLY IN NEW YORK CITY.
My comment was not just for you. It was for anybody who cares to read. I will not turn my blog into a forum for supporting the Republicans. I just can't do that. And no, there is no objectivity whatsoever in my decision for that. It is purely political.
if you are not voting for ferrer you have no reason to be here
Let everybody takes this to heed. I am not going to front page Bloomberg' ites. If you do not want a unified Democratic party to take back NYC politics, there is no reason for you to be here. Or I will start moderating posts.