NYC'13: Congrats to Mayor de Blasio

[nolesfan2011]

Andrew Cuomo and Charlie Rangel have some not-so-nice words for Weiner.

Leave it to Rangel to talk about people embroiled in scandal staying in politics.

Cuomo is really a Republican pretending to be a Dem.  Sure Weiner has issues, but to openly bash a member of his own party like this over a non policy issue is just kind of ridiculous.

I guess he wanted to impeach Bill Clinton too and Ted Kennedy shouldn't have been a Senator?

In other news, the CWA and SEIU are backing De Blasio http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/18/nyregion/citys-largest-union-endorsing-de-blasio-for-mayor.html  http://www.nydailynews.com/news/election/communication-workers-america-endorses-bill-de-blasio-article-1.1351205?localLinksEnabled=false?pmSlide=0 as is the " Uptown Obama Democratic Club" http://www.nydailynews.com/news/election/deblasio-upper-manhattan-nod-article-1.1351537

I really hope he pulls off an upset, especially after Weiner flubbed the website skyline thing

[nolesfan2011]

I don't support Quinn's candidacy for a whole mess of reasons; the deal with Bloomberg is just the most salient. Since we've fleshed out my views on Weiner at this point, why do you like Quinn?

She's progressive, she knows how to get things done, and she's got plenty of accomplishments as Council Speaker. There are some reasons why you might support someone else, and as a non resident of NYC I can't speak to those. But mostly I just think a lot of the sh**t she gets is exaggerated. And I really don't like Weiner and what he represents in the party.

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He sometimes knows how to put on a good show, but he's also his own worst enemy.

I think the fact she is racist, corrupt and a bully is not talked about enough, regardless of the fact she thumbed her nose at the actual voters on the term limits thing. 

[nolesfan2011]

Puff piece on De Blasio here http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/22/nyregion/in-mayoral-race-de-blasios-focus-is-beyond-manhattan.html?pagewanted=1&ref=nyregion&_r=0

[Keystone Phil]

Seems like a crop of really horrible candidates on the Dem side (with the GOP leaving a lot to be desired, too). Quinn is a Bloomberg twin which is an automatic disqualifier and Weiner is himself. I guess I'd dislike de Blasio the least. Liu's "downright hostile" feelings towards Bloomberg are good but it seems like he has some issues of his own.

And with this group, I guess it still isn't insane to think that the eventual Republican nominee could win. Remarkable.

[Keystone Phil]

Looks like a last minute jump in by Commissioner Kelly is getting a lot of buzz! - http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2013/05/ray_kelly_polic_12.php

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Christine Quinn seems like she has serious anger-management issues from what I've read to the extent that I don't think she has the right temperament to be a good Mayor, if nothing else (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/nyregion/in-private-quinn-displays-a-volatile-side.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0).  She seems like a glorified bully and I honestly wouldn't be surprised if she's bipolar.  I don't know much about her issue positions, but it sounds like she's a Bloomberg ally. 

I never liked Anthony Weiner and occasionally forgot that he wasn't the host of some Ed Schultz-type show.  Anyway, I don't think I need to elaborate on why he'd be an awful Mayor, so I'll just leave you with this song about him by The Capitol Steps.
http://www.capsteps.com/sounds/weiner-itsybitsy.mp3

Liu has serious corruption issues and I don't think he has any path to the runoff (let alone victory).  Lhota seems like generic rich Republican dude and would get destroyed by any of the Democrats.  I'm not a fan of Kelly's record regarding civil-liberties, but we'll see if he even runs (he might, but I'll believe it when I see it).  My feelings about Thompson could best be described as "meh."  I guess that leaves Bill De Blasio.  I like that he beat Green and he's been good on campaign finance reform, but De Blasio is still only ever so slightly less "meh" than Thompson. 

As I was writing this post, I realized just how awful the field is for NYC Mayor.  The worst candidates are glorified bullies who seem to lack any self-control (Quinn, Weiner).  The best candidates (Thompson, De Blasio) almost make me wonder if "blah people" is a term for extremely boring candidates and not a clumsy attempt to cover up a blatantly racist statement.  I'm ending this post because thinking about this race is too painful.

[Beet]

Reading about how Weiner built his career on disgusting race baiting and then lied about only reinforces my hate for him. Anyone who thinks this guy is a 'progressive' is either stupid or just doesn't care.

[publicunofficial]

Reading about how Weiner built his career on disgusting race baiting and then lied about only reinforces my hate for him. Anyone who thinks this guy is a 'progressive' is either stupid or just doesn't care.

Or just looks at him and thinks "Jon Stewart's friend."

[Keystone Phil]

Reading about how Weiner built his career on disgusting race baiting and then lied about only reinforces my hate for him. Anyone who thinks this guy is a 'progressive' is either stupid or just doesn't care.

I don't like Weiner at all and totally believe that he's a dirty campaigner (just look at his antics in the House) but 75% of that article was sour grapes. "Oh, he'd go into the supermarket and campaign!" "But I might have been in Congress!" Ok, lady. Get over it.

[Tender Branson]

Weiner cuts margin to 5 points, says the new Marist poll:

Among registered Democrats in New York City, including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate, if the Democratic primary were held today, here is how the contest would stand:

    24% Christine Quinn
    19% Anthony Weiner
    12% Bill de Blasio
    11% Bill Thompson
      8% John Liu
      1% Sal Albanese
    <1% Erick Salgado
      1% Other
    23% Undecided

Among Democrats who are likely to vote in September’s primary, Quinn receives 24% followed by Weiner with 19%, de Blasio with 14%, Thompson with 13%, Liu with 8%, Albanese with 1%, and Salgado with less than 1%.  21% of likely Democrats are undecided.

http://maristpoll.marist.edu/528-weiner-shows-gains-on-the-heels-of-candidacy-announcement

[Marston]

What's so bad about Quinn. I mean, I understand that she may imitate some of Bloomberg's more authoritarian tendencies, but his policies have been good for NYC overall, haven't they? 

[CatoMinor]

Looks like Weiner's looking better to make his big comeback.

[tmthforu94]

Looks like Weiner's looking better to make his big comeback.

Everyone else better watch out, cause Wiener's coming!

[Eraserhead]

De Blasio is the best by a country mile.

[Paul Kemp]

Looks like Weiner's looking better to make his big comeback.

Everyone else better watch out, cause Wiener's coming!

bro u guys r good

[Beet]

Well I have to give the guy credit. Even the NY Times is now running a glowing article about how voters see him as "humble" and trying to accept the past. What else is he supposed to do? I may not see running for mayor of NYC as the epitome of humility, but I guess sometimes the voters' psychology just flies right past my head with no comprehension.

[bgwah]

I can't imagine Weiner in an executive role. That requires actual competence and leadership skills (to be done well, at least).

People like him are better fit for legislative roles.

[free my dawg]

That's Joe Lhota, the former MTA Chairman and a Republican candidate. He does have something of a resemblance to Dr. Phil.

Who's the Paul LePage lookalike?

[Napoleon]

I'm voting for Weiner to stop Quinn. Quinn broke with Bloomberg a few too many times for my taste.

[Beet]

I'm voting for Weiner to stop Quinn. Quinn broke with Bloomberg a few too many times for my taste.

You're against Quinn because she broke with Bloomberg too many times? I thought the rap against her was she was too close to him. In any case, you don't have to vote for him unless he makes it into the runoff with Quinn. Personally I don't see what's so bad about Quinn.

[The Simpsons Cinematic Universe]

Weiner is certainly going to have to fight through a long, hard campaign if he's to erect himself a large enough base of support.

[Napoleon]

I'm voting for Weiner to stop Quinn. Quinn broke with Bloomberg a few too many times for my taste.

You're against Quinn because she broke with Bloomberg too many times? I thought the rap against her was she was too close to him. In any case, you don't have to vote for him unless he makes it into the runoff with Quinn. Personally I don't see what's so bad about Quinn.

I like Bloomberg! But he supported building the West Side Stadium and Quinn was one of his leading opponents on that. New York could be hosting the Super Bowl this year if not for that. And I want Weiner to make the run off because I think he would have the best chance of defeating her- so technically I do "have" to vote for him. Not all candidates will be equal against Quinn. It'd be great to have a female mayor but Quinn isn't a good fit for me.

[Beet]

I'm voting for Weiner to stop Quinn. Quinn broke with Bloomberg a few too many times for my taste.

You're against Quinn because she broke with Bloomberg too many times? I thought the rap against her was she was too close to him. In any case, you don't have to vote for him unless he makes it into the runoff with Quinn. Personally I don't see what's so bad about Quinn.

I like Bloomberg! But he supported building the West Side Stadium and Quinn was one of his leading opponents on that. New York could be hosting the Super Bowl this year if not for that. And I want Weiner to make the run off because I think he would have the best chance of defeating her- so technically I do "have" to vote for him. Not all candidates will be equal against Quinn. It'd be great to have a female mayor but Quinn isn't a good fit for me.

You do realize that the Super Bowl is a magnet for child trafficking / underrage prostitution right? Do you really want that in NYC?

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

It would be awesome if he really can overcome "photos of my dick were on the internet" thing.

[traininthedistance]

I'm voting for Weiner to stop Quinn. Quinn broke with Bloomberg a few too many times for my taste.

You're against Quinn because she broke with Bloomberg too many times? I thought the rap against her was she was too close to him. In any case, you don't have to vote for him unless he makes it into the runoff with Quinn. Personally I don't see what's so bad about Quinn.

I like Bloomberg! But he supported building the West Side Stadium and Quinn was one of his leading opponents on that. New York could be hosting the Super Bowl this year if not for that. And I want Weiner to make the run off because I think he would have the best chance of defeating her- so technically I do "have" to vote for him. Not all candidates will be equal against Quinn. It'd be great to have a female mayor but Quinn isn't a good fit for me.

I like Bloomberg, but the West Side Stadium was an awful idea.  Manhattan needs room for people and businesses, not for a stadium that will get used a couple dozen times a year and lay empty most of the time.  It makes far more sense for the Giants and Jets to share the Meadowlands, where they will use the facility more often, and you can actually put in parking without destroying the city's fabric.  And, well, the NYC metro already is hosting the Super Bowl.  (Note that this calculus is less relevant for arenas and baseball stadiums, which are used many more times each year.  Putting them downtown makes sense.  But football- and fútbol- stadiums really should be in the burbs.)

I seem to recall that the main draw of a West Side stadium was actually the Olympics, which for a city like NYC (that doesn't need the publicity and has inflated construction costs) would be nothing but a massive, irresponsible white elephant.

A football stadium in Manhattan is one of the very few development-related decisions on which Bloomy is in fact wrong.  Knowing that Quinn opposed it makes me more likely to support her- although it doesn't change the fact I'm not voting for her in the primary, but would certainly vote for her against Weiner.