Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
My Updated Endorsement List for NYC
CITYWIDE:
Mayor: Bill Thompson. Here is Congressman Weiner's endorsement of Bill Thompson:
Public Advocate: Norman Siegel wholeheartedly. Norman Siegel has also been endorsed by the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Democracy for NYC, Park River Independent Democrats (Upper West Side), the Village Reform Democratic Club, the Grand Council of Guardians (an organization of African-American law enforcement officials), Room 8 blogger and Brooklyn City Council candidate Rock Hackshaw, the New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU, AFL-CIO), Audubon Reform Democratic Club (Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights), and Brooklyn Democrats for Change (Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton, Bath Beach and Gravesend). Here was Norm's kickoff event:
Comptroller: In this race there are two complete hacks with no finanacial experience whatsoever (Katz and Yassky) and two candidates who have solid financial experience (Weprin and Liu). Which means it comes down to only two viable candidates: David Weprin and John Liu since in an economic crisis we do NOT want inexperienced hacks running the city's money. Of the two, I prefer John Liu partly because his background was as a mathematical physicist, and I love it when science nerds enter politics, but also because Liu is more progressive than Weprin. I believe either would make a good Comptroller but I have been supporting John Liu. And for the record, currently John Liu is my 4 year old son's favorite politician, and I have found Jacob has a good sense of whose good and who isn't. Her is John's campaign announcement:
CITY COUNCIL RACES:
BROOKLYN:
33rd City Council District: Jo Anne Simon. This is a chance to stop a power play by corrupt Brooklyn Party boss Vito Lopez whose aide is running against Jo Anne. Jo Anne is our current district leader and has a national reputation as an advocate for disabled rights who has argued and won some major cases (including before Judge Sotomayor). Jo Anne Simon has also been endorsed by the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, ChangeNYC, 504 Democrats, and Lambda Independent Democrats, among others. Here is a video of Jo Anne Simon testifying before the US Senate on ADA Amendments:
34th City Council District: Diana Reyna. The first woman of Dominican-American descent to be elected to NYC public office. Reyna is being heavily targeted by Brooklyn Boss Vito Lopez because she hasn't gone along with his corruption. In essence, she is being punished for her independence, and I personally want to see more independence from the Brooklyn machine. This is another race where we can stop a power play by a corrupt party boss. Diana Reyna has been endorsed by Councilwoman Tish James and Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (both of whom I greatly respect), Lambda Independend Democrats, DC 9 Painters Union, IUPAT, American Federation of Musicians, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators and Teamsters, Local 237.
35th City Council District: Letitia James wholeheartedly. An amazing woman! Here is a video of Tish James talking to a rally opposing a local overdeveloment scheme:
36th City Council District: I told one candidate I wasn't endorsing in this race. But there are two candidates I consider worth bringing to people's attention: Saquan Jones and Mark Winston Griffith. I have friends I respect supporting each of them.
39th City Council District: Josh Skaller. My favorite candidate this year. I know Josh well. Very smart, very honest, very progressive and reform minded. And he has been running one of the best grassroots campaigns I have seen. He is ahead in fundraising while refusing to take any corporate or developer money. THAT is an amazing accomplishment already. Josh has been endorsed by Howard Dean, Assemblyman Jom Brennan, State Senator Eric Adams, New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU, AFL-CIO), International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 237, 111 and 854, Service Employees International Union (Special Officers and Guards, Local 177), Democracy for America, the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Democracy for NYC, and Public Advocate candidate Norman Siegel. Here is video of Howard Dean's endorsement of Josh:
40th City Council District: Rock Hackshaw. Rock is a fellow blogger and his knowledge of Brooklyn politics is amazing. I differ with him on some issues, but I know him and his honesty and integrity are unquestioned. And honesty and integrity are something we desperately need in Brooklyn, partucularly when they are paired up with intelligence and an encyclopedic knowledge. Since Rock is running against a guy who actually lies about being a doctor and is as strange and squirrely as you can get, Rock would be a very welcome change.
45th City Council District: Two candidates I like. First Terry Hinds. I have three people giving very good recommendations for this guy. But I also think Rod Daley is good and represents a chance to get another educator on the city council.
QUEENS:
19th City Council District: Steve Behar. I have met Steve at several Democracy for NYC events. Great guy who has worked tirelessly for progressives in NYC and throughout the state. He has been endorsed by Councilman Tony Avella (whose seat he is running for), Queens County Progressive Democratic Club, Democrats for New Politics, Democracy for New York City, Democracy for America, and Public Advocate candidate Norman Siegel. Here is video of Steve Behar at Netroots Nation:
24th City Council District: Jim Gennaro. Excellent environmental advocate pushing for more biodiesel in NYC to reduce pollution, and a strong advocate for preserving the safety of our drinking water.
25th City Council District: Daniel Dromm. One of my favorite candidates this year. A teacher and gay rights advocate with excellent credentials. Daniel Dromm has been endorsed by Stonewall Democrats, the United Federation of Teachers, 504 Democrats, and ChangeNYC, among others. Here is a campaign video from Dromm:
26th City Council District: I like Brent O'Leary. An active Dean Democrat! While spending time in Japan he helped organize Democrats Abroad Japan and in 2004 was elected to the Democratic National Committee. Strong advocate of Dean's 50 state strategy. This is the kind of guy I want to see more of in politics! Brent O'Leary has also been endorsed by Change NYC.
29th City Council District: I like Mel Gagarin. I like his experience with the National Foundation for Women Legislators and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Seems like a very interesting candidate worth supporting. Mel Gagarin has also been endorsd by Change NYC.
31st City Council District: Marquez Claxton. Another one of my favorites. Very much in the Eric Adams mold, he combines police force experience with as strong civil rights focus. I have been following his run and like much of what he says. He has been endorsed by State Senator Eric Adams and Change NYC. Here is State Senator Eric Adams endorsing Marq:
BRONX:
12th City Council District: Jerome Rice. Former National Guardsman and corrections officer who is also a strong voice for Civil Rights. I like these people who bridge law enforcement and civil rights. It is a refreshing trend! Jerome has also been endorsed by State Senator Eric Adams and Change NYC. Here is State Senator Eric Adams endorsing Jerome Rice:
View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
MANHATTAN:
1st City Council District: Margaret Chin is my choice for this seat. Here is a video of Margaret Chin:
3rd City Council District: I am supporting civil rights activist Yetta Kurland. Yetta has been endorsed by Downtown Independent Democrats, ChangeNYC, 504 Democrats, and the New York Blade, among others. Here is a video of Yetta Kurland at a NYC Schools Rally:
Mayor: Bill Thompson. Here is Congressman Weiner's endorsement of Bill Thompson:
Public Advocate: Norman Siegel wholeheartedly. Norman Siegel has also been endorsed by the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Democracy for NYC, Park River Independent Democrats (Upper West Side), the Village Reform Democratic Club, the Grand Council of Guardians (an organization of African-American law enforcement officials), Room 8 blogger and Brooklyn City Council candidate Rock Hackshaw, the New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU, AFL-CIO), Audubon Reform Democratic Club (Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights), and Brooklyn Democrats for Change (Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton, Bath Beach and Gravesend). Here was Norm's kickoff event:
Comptroller: In this race there are two complete hacks with no finanacial experience whatsoever (Katz and Yassky) and two candidates who have solid financial experience (Weprin and Liu). Which means it comes down to only two viable candidates: David Weprin and John Liu since in an economic crisis we do NOT want inexperienced hacks running the city's money. Of the two, I prefer John Liu partly because his background was as a mathematical physicist, and I love it when science nerds enter politics, but also because Liu is more progressive than Weprin. I believe either would make a good Comptroller but I have been supporting John Liu. And for the record, currently John Liu is my 4 year old son's favorite politician, and I have found Jacob has a good sense of whose good and who isn't. Her is John's campaign announcement:
CITY COUNCIL RACES:
BROOKLYN:
33rd City Council District: Jo Anne Simon. This is a chance to stop a power play by corrupt Brooklyn Party boss Vito Lopez whose aide is running against Jo Anne. Jo Anne is our current district leader and has a national reputation as an advocate for disabled rights who has argued and won some major cases (including before Judge Sotomayor). Jo Anne Simon has also been endorsed by the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, ChangeNYC, 504 Democrats, and Lambda Independent Democrats, among others. Here is a video of Jo Anne Simon testifying before the US Senate on ADA Amendments:
34th City Council District: Diana Reyna. The first woman of Dominican-American descent to be elected to NYC public office. Reyna is being heavily targeted by Brooklyn Boss Vito Lopez because she hasn't gone along with his corruption. In essence, she is being punished for her independence, and I personally want to see more independence from the Brooklyn machine. This is another race where we can stop a power play by a corrupt party boss. Diana Reyna has been endorsed by Councilwoman Tish James and Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (both of whom I greatly respect), Lambda Independend Democrats, DC 9 Painters Union, IUPAT, American Federation of Musicians, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators and Teamsters, Local 237.
35th City Council District: Letitia James wholeheartedly. An amazing woman! Here is a video of Tish James talking to a rally opposing a local overdeveloment scheme:
36th City Council District: I told one candidate I wasn't endorsing in this race. But there are two candidates I consider worth bringing to people's attention: Saquan Jones and Mark Winston Griffith. I have friends I respect supporting each of them.
39th City Council District: Josh Skaller. My favorite candidate this year. I know Josh well. Very smart, very honest, very progressive and reform minded. And he has been running one of the best grassroots campaigns I have seen. He is ahead in fundraising while refusing to take any corporate or developer money. THAT is an amazing accomplishment already. Josh has been endorsed by Howard Dean, Assemblyman Jom Brennan, State Senator Eric Adams, New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU, AFL-CIO), International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 237, 111 and 854, Service Employees International Union (Special Officers and Guards, Local 177), Democracy for America, the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Democracy for NYC, and Public Advocate candidate Norman Siegel. Here is video of Howard Dean's endorsement of Josh:
40th City Council District: Rock Hackshaw. Rock is a fellow blogger and his knowledge of Brooklyn politics is amazing. I differ with him on some issues, but I know him and his honesty and integrity are unquestioned. And honesty and integrity are something we desperately need in Brooklyn, partucularly when they are paired up with intelligence and an encyclopedic knowledge. Since Rock is running against a guy who actually lies about being a doctor and is as strange and squirrely as you can get, Rock would be a very welcome change.
45th City Council District: Two candidates I like. First Terry Hinds. I have three people giving very good recommendations for this guy. But I also think Rod Daley is good and represents a chance to get another educator on the city council.
QUEENS:
19th City Council District: Steve Behar. I have met Steve at several Democracy for NYC events. Great guy who has worked tirelessly for progressives in NYC and throughout the state. He has been endorsed by Councilman Tony Avella (whose seat he is running for), Queens County Progressive Democratic Club, Democrats for New Politics, Democracy for New York City, Democracy for America, and Public Advocate candidate Norman Siegel. Here is video of Steve Behar at Netroots Nation:
24th City Council District: Jim Gennaro. Excellent environmental advocate pushing for more biodiesel in NYC to reduce pollution, and a strong advocate for preserving the safety of our drinking water.
25th City Council District: Daniel Dromm. One of my favorite candidates this year. A teacher and gay rights advocate with excellent credentials. Daniel Dromm has been endorsed by Stonewall Democrats, the United Federation of Teachers, 504 Democrats, and ChangeNYC, among others. Here is a campaign video from Dromm:
26th City Council District: I like Brent O'Leary. An active Dean Democrat! While spending time in Japan he helped organize Democrats Abroad Japan and in 2004 was elected to the Democratic National Committee. Strong advocate of Dean's 50 state strategy. This is the kind of guy I want to see more of in politics! Brent O'Leary has also been endorsed by Change NYC.
29th City Council District: I like Mel Gagarin. I like his experience with the National Foundation for Women Legislators and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Seems like a very interesting candidate worth supporting. Mel Gagarin has also been endorsd by Change NYC.
31st City Council District: Marquez Claxton. Another one of my favorites. Very much in the Eric Adams mold, he combines police force experience with as strong civil rights focus. I have been following his run and like much of what he says. He has been endorsed by State Senator Eric Adams and Change NYC. Here is State Senator Eric Adams endorsing Marq:
BRONX:
12th City Council District: Jerome Rice. Former National Guardsman and corrections officer who is also a strong voice for Civil Rights. I like these people who bridge law enforcement and civil rights. It is a refreshing trend! Jerome has also been endorsed by State Senator Eric Adams and Change NYC. Here is State Senator Eric Adams endorsing Jerome Rice:
View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
MANHATTAN:
1st City Council District: Margaret Chin is my choice for this seat. Here is a video of Margaret Chin:
3rd City Council District: I am supporting civil rights activist Yetta Kurland. Yetta has been endorsed by Downtown Independent Democrats, ChangeNYC, 504 Democrats, and the New York Blade, among others. Here is a video of Yetta Kurland at a NYC Schools Rally:
Thursday, July 16, 2009
My Brad Lander Problems
Some time back, the blogger going by the name of "Chaim Yankel" wrote an article called "My Brad Lander Problem...and Israel's." In this diary he outlined a strongly anti-Israel stand Brad Lander took some time back and made it the central focus of his opposition to Lander.
This issue is NOT the main reason I oppose Brad Lander. Although I do disagree with him on this issue (I am solidly pro-Israel though also sympathetic to the Palestinians, so Brad's anti-Israel stand is not my cup of kosher wine), this is not so important to me when it comes to city council. Furthermore, though Chaim Yankel saw Brad's anti-Israel position so unacceptable he called it "extremist," I consider it wrong, but within the range of mainstream.
But I do differ strongly with Brad on several key points, and these are the reasons I oppose him so strongly. I have my horse in the race: Josh Skaller. So Brad and I knew from the start that I would be opposing him. But I never expected to come to dislike Brad. I expected to respect and like him the way I respect and like every other candidate in the race, all of whom I consider nice, competent, wonderful people.
But I have come to dislike Brad. And I don't say that lightly. John Heyer, Gary Reily, Bob Zuckerman all are wonderful people. I disagree with Heyer on key issues, but he is a true gentleman. Gary and Bob are great people who I just think won't win. If they DO win, I'd be happy. In Bob's case I feel he has followed Josh's positions too often rather than leading, though I realize he was limited by a past association that he was betrayed by. I can go up to any of these candidates, all of whom know I oppose them and all of whom I have written about to explain my choosing Josh over them, and they all are friendly, even-tempered and even seem happy to see me. Brad is a tempermental, childish brat who seems to feel opposition is just unacceptable. He and his campaign have been nasty and displayed public anger management problems and, in all honesty, have shown an amateurish obsession with any opposition that come their way. All other campaigns, Josh, Bob, John and Gary, take opposition in stride and remain calm and friendly.
Brad goes into rages. I have seen it. Members of other campaigns have told me about it. And even people who have met him in other contexts tell me the same without any prompting from me. That alone is a strike against him: he doesn't have the temperment to be in office.
I will say that I also differ from Lander in values and policy perspectives. Again, I disagree with his anti-Israel position. Furthermore, I differ from him on a key issue of conflict of interest. He believes it is okay for people to exploit political connections for profit, and he has verbally supported companies and individuals whose stated purpose is to exploit political connections for profit. I call that a conflict of interest. He takes money from such people and defends them. And that is above and beyond the Ratner connection where Ratner thinks Brad is open to purchase even if Brad is trying to be coy. The issue of whether he thinks gays are "abominations," as stated in the ad in a Yiddish newspaper billed to his campaign but rejected by Brad himself, is not an issue to me. I know he is trying to court the vote of bigots. And I know he is not a bigot himself. The issue would be moot to me if everything else about him was okay.
But I do differ from Brad when it comes to whether it is acceptable to rub shoulders with people who are anti-gay and who deny that the Nazis killed 5 million non-Jews in the Holocaust. Brad accepts the support, in fact eagerly welcomes the support of intolerant, anti-gay politicians like Dov Hikind. I do not agree that this is acceptable. I reject the intolerance of Dov Hikind. Brad will issue a press release rejecting a single position taken by Hikind but still proudly stands with him despite Hikind's open and public intolerance. I differ with Brad on this.
Sure, I agree with him on other issues...as I do with every other person in the race except maybe John Heyer (though Heyer is a nice, even tempered guy, not prone to the tantrums it seems Brad is prone to). So EVERYONE running in this race (except maybe John Heyer) is someone I agree with on most issues. That makes some of these key issues of Israel (not directly, but indirectly, a city council issue), conflict of interest (MAJORLY a city council issue), tolerance towards intolerance (also a city council issue), and, I will add, temperament (not necessarily a major issue, but certainly one issue) all are reasons to oppose Brad given the fact that there are several other excellent candidates in this race who do not have these major flaws.
Simply put, I expected to trust Brad Lander but in the end I find that I do not. There are too many scandals and dubious stands and dubious contributions that I cannot trust him. So I strongly urge people to support Bob Zuckerman or Josh Skaller instead. I trust them. They don't have scandals or anger management problems detracting from their candidacy and are clearly two of the most progressive and honest candidates in the race.
This issue is NOT the main reason I oppose Brad Lander. Although I do disagree with him on this issue (I am solidly pro-Israel though also sympathetic to the Palestinians, so Brad's anti-Israel stand is not my cup of kosher wine), this is not so important to me when it comes to city council. Furthermore, though Chaim Yankel saw Brad's anti-Israel position so unacceptable he called it "extremist," I consider it wrong, but within the range of mainstream.
But I do differ strongly with Brad on several key points, and these are the reasons I oppose him so strongly. I have my horse in the race: Josh Skaller. So Brad and I knew from the start that I would be opposing him. But I never expected to come to dislike Brad. I expected to respect and like him the way I respect and like every other candidate in the race, all of whom I consider nice, competent, wonderful people.
But I have come to dislike Brad. And I don't say that lightly. John Heyer, Gary Reily, Bob Zuckerman all are wonderful people. I disagree with Heyer on key issues, but he is a true gentleman. Gary and Bob are great people who I just think won't win. If they DO win, I'd be happy. In Bob's case I feel he has followed Josh's positions too often rather than leading, though I realize he was limited by a past association that he was betrayed by. I can go up to any of these candidates, all of whom know I oppose them and all of whom I have written about to explain my choosing Josh over them, and they all are friendly, even-tempered and even seem happy to see me. Brad is a tempermental, childish brat who seems to feel opposition is just unacceptable. He and his campaign have been nasty and displayed public anger management problems and, in all honesty, have shown an amateurish obsession with any opposition that come their way. All other campaigns, Josh, Bob, John and Gary, take opposition in stride and remain calm and friendly.
Brad goes into rages. I have seen it. Members of other campaigns have told me about it. And even people who have met him in other contexts tell me the same without any prompting from me. That alone is a strike against him: he doesn't have the temperment to be in office.
I will say that I also differ from Lander in values and policy perspectives. Again, I disagree with his anti-Israel position. Furthermore, I differ from him on a key issue of conflict of interest. He believes it is okay for people to exploit political connections for profit, and he has verbally supported companies and individuals whose stated purpose is to exploit political connections for profit. I call that a conflict of interest. He takes money from such people and defends them. And that is above and beyond the Ratner connection where Ratner thinks Brad is open to purchase even if Brad is trying to be coy. The issue of whether he thinks gays are "abominations," as stated in the ad in a Yiddish newspaper billed to his campaign but rejected by Brad himself, is not an issue to me. I know he is trying to court the vote of bigots. And I know he is not a bigot himself. The issue would be moot to me if everything else about him was okay.
But I do differ from Brad when it comes to whether it is acceptable to rub shoulders with people who are anti-gay and who deny that the Nazis killed 5 million non-Jews in the Holocaust. Brad accepts the support, in fact eagerly welcomes the support of intolerant, anti-gay politicians like Dov Hikind. I do not agree that this is acceptable. I reject the intolerance of Dov Hikind. Brad will issue a press release rejecting a single position taken by Hikind but still proudly stands with him despite Hikind's open and public intolerance. I differ with Brad on this.
Sure, I agree with him on other issues...as I do with every other person in the race except maybe John Heyer (though Heyer is a nice, even tempered guy, not prone to the tantrums it seems Brad is prone to). So EVERYONE running in this race (except maybe John Heyer) is someone I agree with on most issues. That makes some of these key issues of Israel (not directly, but indirectly, a city council issue), conflict of interest (MAJORLY a city council issue), tolerance towards intolerance (also a city council issue), and, I will add, temperament (not necessarily a major issue, but certainly one issue) all are reasons to oppose Brad given the fact that there are several other excellent candidates in this race who do not have these major flaws.
Simply put, I expected to trust Brad Lander but in the end I find that I do not. There are too many scandals and dubious stands and dubious contributions that I cannot trust him. So I strongly urge people to support Bob Zuckerman or Josh Skaller instead. I trust them. They don't have scandals or anger management problems detracting from their candidacy and are clearly two of the most progressive and honest candidates in the race.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
My updated endorsement list
CITYWIDE:
Mayor: Bill Thompson.
Public Advocate: Norman Siegel wholeheartedly. Norman Siegel has also been endorsed by the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Democracy for NYC, Park River Independent Democrats (Upper West Side), the Village Reform Democratic Club, the Grand Council of Guardians (an organization of African-American law enforcement officials), Room 8 blogger and Brooklyn City Council candidate Rock Hackshaw, the New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU, AFL-CIO), Audubon Reform Democratic Club (Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights), and Brooklyn Democrats for Change (Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton, Bath Beach and Gravesend).
Comptroller: In this race there are two complete hacks with no finanacial experience whatsoever (Katz and Yassky) and two candidates who have solid financial experience (Weprin and Liu). Which means it comes down to only two viable candidates: David Weprin and John Liu since in an economic crisis we do NOT want inexperienced hacks running the city's money. Of the two, I prefer John Liu partly because his background was as a mathematical physicist, and I love it when science nerds enter politics, but also because Liu is more progressive than Weprin. I believe either would make a good Comptroller but I have been supporting John Liu. And for the record, currently John Liu is my 4 year old son's favorite politician, and I have found Jacob has a good sense of whose good and who isn't.
Brooklyn Borough President: Eugene Myrick is running for Brooklyn Borough President against Angry Clown and homophobe supporter Marty Markowitz (see also here for the Angry Clown story). Here is Eugene Myrick's video:
CITY COUNCIL RACES:
BROOKLYN:
33rd City Council District: Jo Anne Simon. This is a chance to stop a power play by corrupt Brooklyn Party boss Vito Lopez whose aide is running against Jo Anne. Jo Anne is our current district leader and has a national reputation as an advocate for disabled rights who has argued and won some major cases (including before Judge Sotomayor). Jo Anne Simon has also been endorsed by the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, ChangeNYC, 504 Democrats, and Lambda Independent Democrats, among others.
34th City Council District: Diana Reyna. The first woman of Dominican-American descent to be elected to NYC public office. Reyna is being heavily targeted by Brooklyn Boss Vito Lopez because she hasn't gone along with his corruption. In essence, she is being punished for her independence, and I personally want to see more independence from the Brooklyn machine. This is another race where we can stop a power play by a corrupt party boss. Diana Reyna has been endorsed by Councilwoman Tish James and Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (both of whom I greatly respect), Lambda Independend Democrats, DC 9 Painters Union, IUPAT, American Federation of Musicians, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators and Teamsters, Local 237.
35th City Council District: Letitia James wholeheartedly. An amazing woman!
36th City Council District: I told one candidate I wasn't endorsing in this race. But there are two candidates I consider worth bringing to people's attention: Saquan Jones and Mark Winston Griffith. I have friends I respect supporting each of them.
39th City Council District: Josh Skaller. My favorite candidate this year. I know Josh well. Very smart, very honest, very progressive and reform minded. And he has been running one of the best grassroots campaigns I have seen. He is ahead in fundraising while refusing to take any corporate or developer money. THAT is an amazing accomplishment already. Josh has been endorsed by Howard Dean, Assemblyman Jom Brennan, State Senator Eric Adams, New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU, AFL-CIO), International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 237, 111 and 854, Service Employees International Union (Special Officers and Guards, Local 177), Democracy for America, the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Democracy for NYC, and Public Advocate candidate Norman Siegel.
40th City Council District: Rock Hackshaw. Rock is a fellow blogger and his knowledge of Brooklyn politics is amazing. I differ with him on some issues, but I know him and his honesty and integrity are unquestioned. And honesty and integrity are something we desperately need in Brooklyn, partucularly when they are paired up with intelligence and an encyclopedic knowledge. Since Rock is running against a guy who actually lies about being a doctor and is as strange and squirrely as you can get, Rock would be a very welcome change.
45th City Council District: Two candidates I like. First Terry Hinds. I have three people giving very good recommendations for this guy. But I also think Rod Daley is good and represents a chance to get another educator on the city council.
QUEENS:
19th City Council District: Steve Behar. I have met Steve at several Democracy for NYC events. Great guy who has worked tirelessly for progressives in NYC and throughout the state. He has been endorsed by Councilman Tony Avella (whose seat he is running for), Queens County Progressive Democratic Club, Democrats for New Politics, Democracy for New York City, Democracy for America, and Public Advocate candidate Norman Siegel.
24th City Council District: Jim Gennaro. Excellent environmental advocate pushing for more biodiesel in NYC to reduce pollution, and a strong advocate for preserving the safety of our drinking water.
25th City Council District: Daniel Dromm. One of my favorite candidates this year. A teacher and gay rights advocate with excellent credentials. Daniel Dromm has been endorsed by Stonewall Democrats, the United Federation of Teachers, 504 Democrats, and ChangeNYC, among others.
26th City Council District: I like Brent O'Leary. An active Dean Democrat! While spending time in Japan he helped organize Democrats Abroad Japan and in 2004 was elected to the Democratic National Committee. Strong advocate of Dean's 50 state strategy. This is the kind of guy I want to see more of in politics! Brent O'Leary has also been endorsed by Change NYC.
29th City Council District: I like Mel Gagarin. I like his experience with the National Foundation for Women Legislators and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Seems like a very interesting candidate worth supporting. Mel Gagarin has also been endorsd by Change NYC.
31st City Council District: Marquez Claxton. Another one of my favorites. Very much in the Eric Adams mold, he combines police force experience with as strong civil rights focus. I have been following his run and like much of what he says. He has been endorsed by State Senator Eric Adams and Change NYC.
BRONX:
12th City Council District: Jerome Rice. Former National Guardsman and corrections officer who is also a strong voice for Civil Rights. I like these people who bridge law enforcement and civil rights. It is a refreshing trend! Jerome has also been endorsed by State Senator Eric Adams and Change NYC.
MANHATTAN:
1st City Council District: Margaret Chin is my choice for this seat.
3rd City Council District: I am supporting civil rights activist Yetta Kurland. Yetta has been endorsed by Downtown Independent Democrats, ChangeNYC, 504 Democrats, and the New York Blade, among others.
Mayor: Bill Thompson.
Public Advocate: Norman Siegel wholeheartedly. Norman Siegel has also been endorsed by the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Democracy for NYC, Park River Independent Democrats (Upper West Side), the Village Reform Democratic Club, the Grand Council of Guardians (an organization of African-American law enforcement officials), Room 8 blogger and Brooklyn City Council candidate Rock Hackshaw, the New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU, AFL-CIO), Audubon Reform Democratic Club (Hamilton Heights and Washington Heights), and Brooklyn Democrats for Change (Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton, Bath Beach and Gravesend).
Comptroller: In this race there are two complete hacks with no finanacial experience whatsoever (Katz and Yassky) and two candidates who have solid financial experience (Weprin and Liu). Which means it comes down to only two viable candidates: David Weprin and John Liu since in an economic crisis we do NOT want inexperienced hacks running the city's money. Of the two, I prefer John Liu partly because his background was as a mathematical physicist, and I love it when science nerds enter politics, but also because Liu is more progressive than Weprin. I believe either would make a good Comptroller but I have been supporting John Liu. And for the record, currently John Liu is my 4 year old son's favorite politician, and I have found Jacob has a good sense of whose good and who isn't.
Brooklyn Borough President: Eugene Myrick is running for Brooklyn Borough President against Angry Clown and homophobe supporter Marty Markowitz (see also here for the Angry Clown story). Here is Eugene Myrick's video:
CITY COUNCIL RACES:
BROOKLYN:
33rd City Council District: Jo Anne Simon. This is a chance to stop a power play by corrupt Brooklyn Party boss Vito Lopez whose aide is running against Jo Anne. Jo Anne is our current district leader and has a national reputation as an advocate for disabled rights who has argued and won some major cases (including before Judge Sotomayor). Jo Anne Simon has also been endorsed by the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, ChangeNYC, 504 Democrats, and Lambda Independent Democrats, among others.
34th City Council District: Diana Reyna. The first woman of Dominican-American descent to be elected to NYC public office. Reyna is being heavily targeted by Brooklyn Boss Vito Lopez because she hasn't gone along with his corruption. In essence, she is being punished for her independence, and I personally want to see more independence from the Brooklyn machine. This is another race where we can stop a power play by a corrupt party boss. Diana Reyna has been endorsed by Councilwoman Tish James and Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez (both of whom I greatly respect), Lambda Independend Democrats, DC 9 Painters Union, IUPAT, American Federation of Musicians, Council of School Supervisors and Administrators and Teamsters, Local 237.
35th City Council District: Letitia James wholeheartedly. An amazing woman!
36th City Council District: I told one candidate I wasn't endorsing in this race. But there are two candidates I consider worth bringing to people's attention: Saquan Jones and Mark Winston Griffith. I have friends I respect supporting each of them.
39th City Council District: Josh Skaller. My favorite candidate this year. I know Josh well. Very smart, very honest, very progressive and reform minded. And he has been running one of the best grassroots campaigns I have seen. He is ahead in fundraising while refusing to take any corporate or developer money. THAT is an amazing accomplishment already. Josh has been endorsed by Howard Dean, Assemblyman Jom Brennan, State Senator Eric Adams, New York Metro Area Postal Union (APWU, AFL-CIO), International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 237, 111 and 854, Service Employees International Union (Special Officers and Guards, Local 177), Democracy for America, the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Democracy for NYC, and Public Advocate candidate Norman Siegel.
40th City Council District: Rock Hackshaw. Rock is a fellow blogger and his knowledge of Brooklyn politics is amazing. I differ with him on some issues, but I know him and his honesty and integrity are unquestioned. And honesty and integrity are something we desperately need in Brooklyn, partucularly when they are paired up with intelligence and an encyclopedic knowledge. Since Rock is running against a guy who actually lies about being a doctor and is as strange and squirrely as you can get, Rock would be a very welcome change.
45th City Council District: Two candidates I like. First Terry Hinds. I have three people giving very good recommendations for this guy. But I also think Rod Daley is good and represents a chance to get another educator on the city council.
QUEENS:
19th City Council District: Steve Behar. I have met Steve at several Democracy for NYC events. Great guy who has worked tirelessly for progressives in NYC and throughout the state. He has been endorsed by Councilman Tony Avella (whose seat he is running for), Queens County Progressive Democratic Club, Democrats for New Politics, Democracy for New York City, Democracy for America, and Public Advocate candidate Norman Siegel.
24th City Council District: Jim Gennaro. Excellent environmental advocate pushing for more biodiesel in NYC to reduce pollution, and a strong advocate for preserving the safety of our drinking water.
25th City Council District: Daniel Dromm. One of my favorite candidates this year. A teacher and gay rights advocate with excellent credentials. Daniel Dromm has been endorsed by Stonewall Democrats, the United Federation of Teachers, 504 Democrats, and ChangeNYC, among others.
26th City Council District: I like Brent O'Leary. An active Dean Democrat! While spending time in Japan he helped organize Democrats Abroad Japan and in 2004 was elected to the Democratic National Committee. Strong advocate of Dean's 50 state strategy. This is the kind of guy I want to see more of in politics! Brent O'Leary has also been endorsed by Change NYC.
29th City Council District: I like Mel Gagarin. I like his experience with the National Foundation for Women Legislators and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Seems like a very interesting candidate worth supporting. Mel Gagarin has also been endorsd by Change NYC.
31st City Council District: Marquez Claxton. Another one of my favorites. Very much in the Eric Adams mold, he combines police force experience with as strong civil rights focus. I have been following his run and like much of what he says. He has been endorsed by State Senator Eric Adams and Change NYC.
BRONX:
12th City Council District: Jerome Rice. Former National Guardsman and corrections officer who is also a strong voice for Civil Rights. I like these people who bridge law enforcement and civil rights. It is a refreshing trend! Jerome has also been endorsed by State Senator Eric Adams and Change NYC.
MANHATTAN:
1st City Council District: Margaret Chin is my choice for this seat.
3rd City Council District: I am supporting civil rights activist Yetta Kurland. Yetta has been endorsed by Downtown Independent Democrats, ChangeNYC, 504 Democrats, and the New York Blade, among others.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Change NYC
As WFP and IND abandon reform in NYC, I am looking into other groups that focus on progressive and reform politics in hopes of seeing real change happen in this city. I have consistently discussed the excellent organizations DFNYC and CBID, both of which are pretty much consistently focused on true reform and progress. Though I don't always agree with their endorsements, I agree with them almost all the time and when I do differ it is generally for strategic reasons.
Today I want to highlight another organization out there: Change NYC. I came across them some time ago when looking for allies in the fight against Bloomberg and his tame City Council. Silly me, at the time I had thought WFP would be a great ally. Sadly, they talked the talk, but in the end show little sign of walking the walk and standing up to the entrenched interests in City Hall.
ChangeNYC has this as their Mission Statement:
Sounds good to me!
The list of candidates endorsed by Change NYC largely (though not completely) follows my own. Here is their list:
Candidate: Yetta Kurland Council District: 3rd (Manhattan)
Candidate: Gwen Goodwin Council District: 8th (Manhattan)
Candidate: Richard Realmuto Council District: 10th (Manhattan)
Candidate: Jerome Rice Council District: 12th (The Bronx)
Candidate: Fernando Cabrera Council District: 14th (The Bronx)
Candidate: Daryl Johnson Council District: 16th (The Bronx)
Candidate: Constantine Kavadas Council District: 20th (Queens)
Candidate: Bob Friedrich Council District: 23rd (Queens)
Candidate: Daniel Dromm Council District: 25th (Queens)
Candidate: Brent O'Leary Council District: 26th (Queens)
Candidate: Mel Gagarin Council District: 29th (Queens)
Candidate: Marquez Claxton Council District: 31st (Queens)
Candidate: Michael Duncan Council District: 31st (Queens)
Candidate: Fred Lewis Council District: 31st (Queens)
Candidate: Jo Anne Simon Council District: 33rd (Brooklyn)
Candidate: Saquan Jones Council District: 36th (Brooklyn)
Candidate: David Galarza Council District: 38th (Brooklyn) (NOTE: Galaraza dropped out)
Candidate: Bob Zuckerman Council District: 39th (Brooklyn)
Candidate: Terry Hinds Council District: 45th (Brooklyn)
Some of these candidates I don't know. In couple of these races I am backing other candidates. But by and large I agree with ChangeNYC's choices. If you go to their candidate page, you can read statements by each of these candidates...and I strongly urge that you do so. I put in bold the candidates I most strongly agree with.
For comparison, let me add the endorsements of CBID, DFNYC and 504 Democrats:
CBID endorsements for 2009:
Josh Skaller for City Council (39th District)
Jo Anne Simon for City Council (33rd District)
John Liu for Comptroller
Norman Siegel for Public Advocate of the City of New York
DFNYC endorsements (so far) for 2009:
Norman Siegel for Public Advocate
Steve Behar for City Council, Dist. 19 in eastern Queens
Josh Skaller for City Council, District 39 in Central Brooklyn
And 504 Democrats (disabled rights organization) endorsements (the ones I can find):
Council District 25 (Queens): Daniel Dromm
Council District 3 (Manhattan): Yetta Kurland
Council District 33: (Brooklyn): Jo Anne Simon
Hope people take a look at these excellent candidates and give them some support!
Today I want to highlight another organization out there: Change NYC. I came across them some time ago when looking for allies in the fight against Bloomberg and his tame City Council. Silly me, at the time I had thought WFP would be a great ally. Sadly, they talked the talk, but in the end show little sign of walking the walk and standing up to the entrenched interests in City Hall.
ChangeNYC has this as their Mission Statement:
ChangeNYC.Org is an organization unifying our City’s Democratic Party by welcoming all New Yorkers back into the political process. We are a coalition of real, everyday New Yorkers – young voters, progressives, neighborhood leaders, community bloggers, good government groups, and even conservatives – who believe that in cooperation we can bring the change to our City that together we have begun to bring to our nation.
In the spirit of the Obama campaign, we are revitalizing democracy from the grassroots on up in all five boroughs. Led by your voice and your priorities, and funded exclusively by your financial support, we are connecting, organizing, educating, and empowering ordinary citizens to create the Democratic Party our members think will best stand for their principles.
Sounds good to me!
The list of candidates endorsed by Change NYC largely (though not completely) follows my own. Here is their list:
Candidate: Yetta Kurland Council District: 3rd (Manhattan)
Candidate: Gwen Goodwin Council District: 8th (Manhattan)
Candidate: Richard Realmuto Council District: 10th (Manhattan)
Candidate: Jerome Rice Council District: 12th (The Bronx)
Candidate: Fernando Cabrera Council District: 14th (The Bronx)
Candidate: Daryl Johnson Council District: 16th (The Bronx)
Candidate: Constantine Kavadas Council District: 20th (Queens)
Candidate: Bob Friedrich Council District: 23rd (Queens)
Candidate: Daniel Dromm Council District: 25th (Queens)
Candidate: Brent O'Leary Council District: 26th (Queens)
Candidate: Mel Gagarin Council District: 29th (Queens)
Candidate: Marquez Claxton Council District: 31st (Queens)
Candidate: Michael Duncan Council District: 31st (Queens)
Candidate: Fred Lewis Council District: 31st (Queens)
Candidate: Jo Anne Simon Council District: 33rd (Brooklyn)
Candidate: Saquan Jones Council District: 36th (Brooklyn)
Candidate: David Galarza Council District: 38th (Brooklyn) (NOTE: Galaraza dropped out)
Candidate: Bob Zuckerman Council District: 39th (Brooklyn)
Candidate: Terry Hinds Council District: 45th (Brooklyn)
Some of these candidates I don't know. In couple of these races I am backing other candidates. But by and large I agree with ChangeNYC's choices. If you go to their candidate page, you can read statements by each of these candidates...and I strongly urge that you do so. I put in bold the candidates I most strongly agree with.
For comparison, let me add the endorsements of CBID, DFNYC and 504 Democrats:
CBID endorsements for 2009:
Josh Skaller for City Council (39th District)
Jo Anne Simon for City Council (33rd District)
John Liu for Comptroller
Norman Siegel for Public Advocate of the City of New York
DFNYC endorsements (so far) for 2009:
Norman Siegel for Public Advocate
Steve Behar for City Council, Dist. 19 in eastern Queens
Josh Skaller for City Council, District 39 in Central Brooklyn
And 504 Democrats (disabled rights organization) endorsements (the ones I can find):
Council District 25 (Queens): Daniel Dromm
Council District 3 (Manhattan): Yetta Kurland
Council District 33: (Brooklyn): Jo Anne Simon
Hope people take a look at these excellent candidates and give them some support!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Brooklyn Party Boss Protects Child Abusers
Assemblyman Vito Lopez, political ally of WFP and city council candidates like Steve Levin and Maritza Davilla, is under attack for his watering down a bill to protect children abused by sex offenders sheltering in religious institutions. Here's video from a local TV station (sorry, includes an ad at the beginning...thanks to a reader for passing it on to me).
Wonder how Working Families Party, Steve Levin and Martiza Davilla justify their ties to this kind of back room deal to protect child abusers from legal prosecution by their victims. Will WFP, Steve Levin and Martiza Davilla repudiate Party Boss Lopez's protection of child abusers or will they toe the line like good little hacks and support protecting child abusers? My guess is they will toe the line.
Wonder how Working Families Party, Steve Levin and Martiza Davilla justify their ties to this kind of back room deal to protect child abusers from legal prosecution by their victims. Will WFP, Steve Levin and Martiza Davilla repudiate Party Boss Lopez's protection of child abusers or will they toe the line like good little hacks and support protecting child abusers? My guess is they will toe the line.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
More on the Pensiongate Scandal and Pay-to-Play Politics
Recently I focused on one key aspect of the Pensiongate scandal, namely Blue Wolf Capital Management, whose founder, Josh Wolf-Powers, is at the center of Pensiongate. Josh Wolf-Powers, a former aide to Comptroller Bill Thompson, is the guy who advised Steven Rattner’s company, the Quadrangle Group, to hire the now-indicted Hank Morris as its placement agent. And Josh Wolf Powers was the focus of a discussion here on Daily Gotham because they were a major donor to City Council Candidate Brad Lander, and a Lander supporter was defending Blue Wolf Capital Management. I should also note that from what I can tell more was donated by Josh Wolf-Powers and his wife to Brad Lander than any other politician listed under their names. As far as I know Brad has not returned this money that comes from someone so closely connected with a major scandal.
Over at True News for ChangeNYC there are more headlines on the Pensiongate scandal, this time focusing on another focal figure in the scandal: Steve Rattner. This is the guy who was convinced by Josh Wolf-Powers to "hire" Hank Morris (I don't know if you can call it "hire" when he basically did nothing except take the money). Bloomberg is defending Rattner, who also has managed Bloomberg's personal finances (another odd mixing of government and private interests, I will add). The question of course is was Rattner merely duped by Josh Wolf-Powers (and this perhaps not the most astute of people) or was he knowingly involved in this pay-to-play exchange of favors? I should note that a Newsweek article on Rattner (also listed on True News for ChangeNYC's roundup)sure doesn't make it sound like Rattner us a somewhat naive person who is easily duped. So did he go along with Wolf-Powers knowingly or is he less astute than people are giving him credit for? I don't know. But it isn't a moot point since this guy is now Obama's car Tsar, is a close associate of NYC mayor Bloomberg, and his family is a major donor to politicians all over the place. For example, Rattner's brother donated a rather large amount ($4,950) to David Yassky's campaign for Comptroller. Yassky is well known for pay-to-play favors like his trying to get the city to give money to BUILD right after BUILD's president endorsed him, or giving $15,000 of discretionary money to Steve DiBrienza's fake PAC right after Steve DiBrienza endorsed him. So does the Rattner donation come with strings attached? Seems like bagging a Comptroller would be well worthwhile to someone so close to a major scandal. And for the record, funnelling donationes through relatives is a common way for big money interests to participate in pay-to-play. For example, Assemblyman and Party Boss Vito Lopez proposed a major sweetheart deal for developer Bruce Ratner (different Ratner rat than Rattner) right after receiving some big donations from Ratner's relatives.
As an aside I should note that David Yassky also has donated $500 to corrupt Party Boss Vito Lopez, thus basically destroying any reform credentials Yassky ever had and hopefully destroying any chance Brooklyn's reform clubs will endorse him. But to be fair, Yassky's opponent David Weprin has also given $500 to corrupt Party Boss Vito Lopez...TWICE. From what I can tell neither of the other two candidates for comptroller, John Liu and developer favorite Melinda Katz, have donated to Vito.
Now Josh Wolf-Powers seems corrupt as hell. It is less clear that Steve Rattner is. But this scandal really illustrates what is wrong with NYC (and beyond) politics and why we need major reforms. It also shows that we need to pay attention to where a candidate's money comes from, because people like Josh Wolf-Powers and Steve Rattner and Hank Morris expcet big favors in return for big bucks. And all too often these favors are blatantly obvious, as in the case of Yassky and BUILD, or Yassky and Ratner, or Katz and developers, or Public Advocate candidate Bill deBlasio's shilling for billboard companies right before receiving $8000 in donations from billboard companies.
And speaking of Bill diBlasio, rumor has it that Party Boss Vito Lopez is backing him. And if money influences politicians like deBlasio, one has to ask why someone from New Jersey gave over $25,000 to deBlasio's campaign or why a local Hasid gave $10,000 to his campaign. These amounts stand out as being an order of magnitude higher than the average donation to a candidate. Who are these people and what, if anything, do they expect in return for their large investment?
Over at True News for ChangeNYC there are more headlines on the Pensiongate scandal, this time focusing on another focal figure in the scandal: Steve Rattner. This is the guy who was convinced by Josh Wolf-Powers to "hire" Hank Morris (I don't know if you can call it "hire" when he basically did nothing except take the money). Bloomberg is defending Rattner, who also has managed Bloomberg's personal finances (another odd mixing of government and private interests, I will add). The question of course is was Rattner merely duped by Josh Wolf-Powers (and this perhaps not the most astute of people) or was he knowingly involved in this pay-to-play exchange of favors? I should note that a Newsweek article on Rattner (also listed on True News for ChangeNYC's roundup)sure doesn't make it sound like Rattner us a somewhat naive person who is easily duped. So did he go along with Wolf-Powers knowingly or is he less astute than people are giving him credit for? I don't know. But it isn't a moot point since this guy is now Obama's car Tsar, is a close associate of NYC mayor Bloomberg, and his family is a major donor to politicians all over the place. For example, Rattner's brother donated a rather large amount ($4,950) to David Yassky's campaign for Comptroller. Yassky is well known for pay-to-play favors like his trying to get the city to give money to BUILD right after BUILD's president endorsed him, or giving $15,000 of discretionary money to Steve DiBrienza's fake PAC right after Steve DiBrienza endorsed him. So does the Rattner donation come with strings attached? Seems like bagging a Comptroller would be well worthwhile to someone so close to a major scandal. And for the record, funnelling donationes through relatives is a common way for big money interests to participate in pay-to-play. For example, Assemblyman and Party Boss Vito Lopez proposed a major sweetheart deal for developer Bruce Ratner (different Ratner rat than Rattner) right after receiving some big donations from Ratner's relatives.
As an aside I should note that David Yassky also has donated $500 to corrupt Party Boss Vito Lopez, thus basically destroying any reform credentials Yassky ever had and hopefully destroying any chance Brooklyn's reform clubs will endorse him. But to be fair, Yassky's opponent David Weprin has also given $500 to corrupt Party Boss Vito Lopez...TWICE. From what I can tell neither of the other two candidates for comptroller, John Liu and developer favorite Melinda Katz, have donated to Vito.
Now Josh Wolf-Powers seems corrupt as hell. It is less clear that Steve Rattner is. But this scandal really illustrates what is wrong with NYC (and beyond) politics and why we need major reforms. It also shows that we need to pay attention to where a candidate's money comes from, because people like Josh Wolf-Powers and Steve Rattner and Hank Morris expcet big favors in return for big bucks. And all too often these favors are blatantly obvious, as in the case of Yassky and BUILD, or Yassky and Ratner, or Katz and developers, or Public Advocate candidate Bill deBlasio's shilling for billboard companies right before receiving $8000 in donations from billboard companies.
And speaking of Bill diBlasio, rumor has it that Party Boss Vito Lopez is backing him. And if money influences politicians like deBlasio, one has to ask why someone from New Jersey gave over $25,000 to deBlasio's campaign or why a local Hasid gave $10,000 to his campaign. These amounts stand out as being an order of magnitude higher than the average donation to a candidate. Who are these people and what, if anything, do they expect in return for their large investment?
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