Urbanite

Henican: 'Hiram the Acrobat' makes dazzling escape

Thursday October 15, 2009 8:50 PM By Ellis Henican

He’s not Hiram the Senator. He’s Hiram the Acrobat.

First, he performed a gravity-defying, dead-of-night leap through the air, simultaneously slamming a drinking glass against the face of his girlfriend, slicing her flesh open and sending the shards everywhere.

But that wasn’t Hiram the Acrobat’s great feat.

His greatest feat was convincing a judge in Queens that the leap-through-the-air glass slam was entirely an accident. Swinging through the courtroom on that bold claim, Albany’s nimblest senator was acquitted of felony assault and convicted only of the misdemeanor of roughly hustling the girlfriend out the door of his apartment building after she was cut.

And why would he react with such guilty panic if the slash was an accident? No one ever said bench verdicts have to make sense.

The conviction, even the lesser one, is proof beyond all doubt what a self-centered cad the acrobatic senator most certainly is. But it carries a maximum of one year in jail instead of seven in prison. No Flying Wallenda ever leapt so improbably or so far.

Still, the crowd isn’t cheering. Not yet.

Hiram the Acrobat, a former police officer and city councilman and now a freshman Democratic state senator, may have convinced his girlfriend, and may have even convinced the judge. But now he must face a judgment of decency and common sense.

On a night of bitter argument, he jabs open his girlfriend’s face, doesn’t call 911 and manhandles her to a hospital far outside his district instead of the Elmhurst emergency room just a short drive away.

Had he been convicted of the felony, he’d have automatically been removed from office, throwing the narrowly divided state Senate into a fresh round of uproar.

But still facing time behind bars, what comes next — for him, his Jackson Heights district and the power balance in Albany?

If the man had perspective on any of this, he’d resign his seat immediately.

He’s dragged his district and his party through enough already, that’s for sure. God only knows why the girlfriend sticks with him.

But for now at least, she’s still standing by her slasher. And he’s still flying through the air.

E-mail ellis@henican.com. Follow him at twitter.com/henican.

Henican: Threats to Obama are no joke

Thursday October 1, 2009 9:02 PM By Ellis Henican

There are some things even I won’t joke about. And you know me. I’ll joke about almost anything.

But there is no humor, as far as I’m concerned, in kids being abused. Too horrible.

Or in the Holocaust. Too huge and too horrible.

And I never, ever, ever joke about someone killing or trying to kill the president of the United States. Any president. Ever. We’ve had far too much of that in our history already.

So when someone puts up a Facebook page and asks, “Should Obama be killed?” — I’m all for the Secret Service paying a visit, even if it is just a kid.

And when a smirking Second Amendment absolutist shows up at a presidential speech with an assault rifle, I don’t understand why someone in sunglasses and an earpiece doesn’t immediately climb right up in that nut job’s face: “Get out of here! Now! No guns around the president!”

None of this has anything to do with party or politics. It has everything to do with common sense and sanity.

I bring all this up because, suddenly, there’s some very scary stuff being said out there. Some of it is supposed to be funny. I’m not laughing, and you shouldn’t be either. Some of it is just plain creepy, obsessive and mean.

It’s not about this or that policy. It plays to the ugliest prejudices. It’s tinged in violence. It challenges Barack Obama’s very legitimacy.
There was a piece the other day on NewsMax.com promoting the idea of a military coup.

That’s the kind of craziness I’m talking about.

I’m not saying all of it is racial. Some surely is. But former President Jimmy Carter reached too far in pairing Obama hatred with race.

There are many reasons to have differing views on health care. But no sane person takes polls about assassinating a president. No responsible analyst urges military coups. Some of this still hot-blooded rhetoric really does need to dampen down.

It’s time to remember that words have consequences. Inciting violence is not the precise equivalent of committing it. But it bloodies the hands just the same.

E-mail ellis@henican.com. Follow him at twitter.com/henican.

Q&A: High stakes for U.S. in Iran talks

Wednesday September 30, 2009 8:07 PM By Emily Ngo

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, above, who will be represented by a delegation in Switzerland on Thursday, would relish renewed relations with the U.S., Iranian expert Ahmad Sadri said. (AP)

On the eve of rare high-level talks with Iranian diplomats on the rogue nation’s nuclear ambitions, U.S. officials hinted at the possibility of one-on-one negotiations and signaled the Obama administration’s determination for results.

The U.S. delegation, led by Undersecretary of State William Burns, will be joined Thursday in Switzerland by representatives from Britain, France, Russia, Germany and China — all set to challenge the Iranian government on its recently disclosed underground uranium-enrichment facility.

Burns is armed with the prospect of heightened economic sanctions against Iran, and though today’s talks aren’t expected to produce breakthrough agreements, the fact that the summit itself is taking place offers some hope for future compromise.

amNewYork spoke with Ahmad Sadri, the chairman of Islamic world studies at Lake Forest University in Illinois whose columns appear on Iranian.com, about the meeting.

What is the U.S. hoping to gain?
The EU and the United States are basically trying to pressure Iran to stop enriching uranium. ... They say they don’t trust Iran because Iran — once it has achieved the capacity to enrich uranium — might decide to go nuclear and to weaponize.

What does Iran argue?
That they’re within their rights and lack of trust by international community is not a cause for action.

What can stop Iran?
The position of the EU, the United States and Israel is precarious. There is really little they can do. They can impose sanctions, which won’t bring Iran to its knees. It’s going to strengthen the government and weaken the people.

What does Iran hope to walk away with today?
The Americans and the EU don’t have anything the Iranians want. ... Although, Iran is portrayed as weak because they don’t have the support of the people [amid a disputed presidential election and reports of human rights abuses], so they may be amenable.

Is Iran hoping to be less ostracized by the West?
[Iranian leaders] would relish such an outcome, but frankly, I don’t think they expect it. They are prepared for tougher times ahead.

World leaders plead their cases at United Nations

Thursday September 24, 2009 1:32 PM By Emily Ngo

President Barack Obama chairs the U.N. Security Council summit on Thursday, the first U.S. president to do so. (Photo: AP)

Leaders from across the globe — both allies and adversaries of the U.S. — made their pitches before the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday.

Nuclear weapons, the failing world economy and peaceful relations were the most talked-about topics, and even the most reviled leaders had civil words for President Barack Obama. The day, however, wasn’t without theatrics.

Here’s a look at what some representatives said:

Barack Obama, U.S.
Distancing himself from his predecessor, Obama urged multilateralism in a new era.

He declared that the burden of creating a better world, one free from nukes and full of economic opportunity, should not be solely a U.S. responsibility.

“Those who used to chastise America for acting alone in the world cannot now stand by and wait for America to solve the world’s problems alone,” he said, later adding, “Nothing is easier than blaming others for our troubles.”

Obama also referenced his Mideast meeting with Israeli and Palestinian Authority leaders, emphasizing that the Palestinians have legitimate rights and that Israel must recognize them amid U.S. commitment to its security.

Moammar Gadhafi, Libya
In an address that lasted 96 rambling minutes, the leader formerly ostracized for harboring terrorists used his first appearance to blame the U.N. for failing to prevent 65 wars since its founding.

Fumbling with pages of handwritten notes and tearing the U.N. Charter, Gadhafi criticized the veto-wielding countries of the U.N. Security Council, calling it the “terror council” and saying it misrepresents developing nations.

The African leader, however, did have compliments for Obama, calling him “our son.”

Nicolas Sarkozy, France
Sarkozy focused on economic improvements on the world stage, slamming “the behavior of those who still continue to grow indecently rich, after leading the world to the brink of disaster.”

Dmitry Medvedev, Russia
In his first showing at the U.N., the Russian leader appeared to step out from Vladimir Putin’s shadow. He praised the Obama administration’s recent scrapping of missile defense plans in Eastern Europe. The proposed shield had worn at Russian-U.S. relations.

Medvedev sidestepped discussion about curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but earlier hinted at supporting new sanctions against the rogue nation.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran
The U.S. delegation walked out on his speech, but Ahmadinejad perhaps was encouraged by Obama’s willingness to engage him and said he would “shake all those hands which are honestly extended to us.”

Widely condemned for his anti-Israel rhetoric, he assailed the Jewish state for what he said was a “barbaric” attack on the Gaza Strip last winter.

(With AP)

emily.ngo@am-ny.com

Henican: Politics drive ACORN attack

Thursday September 17, 2009 8:44 PM By Ellis Henican

There is no defending what the ACORN workers did.

Why even try?

Offering to help a couple of undercover filmmakers set up an underage brothel — that’s just wrong. The workers should be fired, as they have been — perhaps even prosecuted, as they may well be.

But the roar of outrage at ACORN — well, that has far more to do with today’s ideological politics than with the actions of a few of low-level workers or even the caught-on-tape gotcha techniques of conservative activists.

Follow the money — and the politics!

ACORN, which has existed for 40 years, organizes poor people around issues such as affordable housing, voter registration and community health care. The group has pushed for a higher minimum wage and gotten federal grants to provide loan counseling and foreclosure relief.

And those voter-registration campaigns in minority neighborhoods tend to help Democrats.

Especially since the election of Barack Obama, some conservative activists have been itching to get ACORN.

That a couple of low-level ACORN staffers made it so easy is too bad. That ACORN’s good works may suffer is even worse.

ACORN, which stands for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is the nation’s largest grassroots community group. Not too many other organizations are eager to roll up their sleeves in the neighborhoods where ACORN has thrived.

But on this flash of fresh outrage, the House and Senate moved quickly to cut off ACORN’s federal grants. And in the rhetoric of the moment, a few bad or stupid comments could easily tar a far-flung organization of 400,000 families in 1,200 tough neighborhoods.

Much of ACORN’s work, in areas such as central Brooklyn and the South Bronx, has been terrific. Some has been sloppy, ill-supervised and, in a few proven cases, deceitful or criminal. Some ACORN voter-registration cards were obviously false. Is “Mickey Mouse” really registered to vote?

But what large organization doesn’t have its errant members?

The National Rifle Association?

The American Automobile Association?

The church?

And who will take up ACORN’s essential work?

E-mail ellis@henican.com. Follow him at twitter.com/henican.

Henican: Same old faces in New York City's races

Thursday September 10, 2009 7:36 PM By Ellis Henican

Oh, them again!

There’s certainly no shortage of candidates on Tuesday’s New York City primary ballot — veteran officeholders, perennial job-seekers, ambitious trader-uppers, even a hopeful retread or two.

The only thing missing from this year’s contests for mayor, comptroller and public advocate?
An unfamiliar face.

“There is no new blood in these races,” said political consultant George Arzt, himself a veteran of many New York elections. “If you’re looking for experience, these are your guys. If you are looking for a fresh face and a Michael Bloomberg of eight years ago, then you’ll have to vote some other time.”

All four candidates in the race for city comptroller are ambitious council members looking to move up. Melinda Katz, John Liu, David Weprin and David Yassky are all hard-working and relatively bright (high praise in Council Land). But you can’t call a single one of them a political surprise.

Same with the race for public advocate.

Former two-term Advocate Mark Green is back again, hoping this race will give him what stabs at mayor, attorney general and U.S. Senate did not — a victory. This time, he’s battling challenges from two well-known City Council members, Bill de Blasio and Eric Gioia, and from high-profile civil rights attorney Norman Siegel, a veteran of numerous races, including a run for this very job in 2001.

These long political resumes aren’t necessarily a bad thing, Arzt said. “These are all people who are tried and tested in the City Council and other battlegrounds.”

But where are the activists riding a sudden wave of urban populism? Where are the rich guys who woke up one morning and thought, “Hey, this might be fun”?

They aren’t on Tuesday’s primary ballot. And don’t expect much different from the Nov. 3 general-election mayor’s race.

The old outsider Bloomberg is now a two-term mayor, seeking a third. His likely opponent, Bill Thompson, is the two-term city comptroller, taking his shot at the big job. Even Thompson’s sacrificial lamb in Tuesday’s primary, Tony Avella, is — drumroll, please — an ambitious councilman.

He looks kinda familiar, doesn’t he?

E-mail ellis@henican.com. Follow him at twitter.com/henican.

President Barack Obama to pitch health care plan to public

Wednesday September 9, 2009 3:45 PM By Emily Ngo

President Barack Obama addresses students on Tuesday in Arlington, Va. He will address the nation Wednesday on health care reform. (Getty)

President Barack Obama takes his faltering health care fight before Congress on Wednesday in what is expected to be an aggressive effort to spur lawmakers to action.

“As we come down to the wire, so to speak, I think you’re going to see him be very direct with what he would like to see in the bill beyond broad principles,” said Elizabeth Carpenter, a health policy expert with the New America Foundation. “He views this as the right time to cut through some of the rhetoric.”

Obama will answer “many of the big questions” on how to proceed, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday. Gibbs declined, however, to provide details on what the president might discuss.

After an August of raucous town halls and general confusion over the overhaul’s many possible components, Congress returns from recess with four health care bills. A fifth, to be produced by the Senate Finance Committee’s “Gang of Six,” is still under construction, but chairman Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) on Tuesday presented a $900 billion bipartisan deal to his Republican counterparts.

Under Baucus’ proposal, Americans who don’t get health insurance once the system is overhauled would be fined up to $3,800. His plan does not include a government-sponsored public option but rather a network of nonprofit cooperatives.

Whether Obama on Wednesday brings up the public option, one of the original pillars of his reform plan, remains to be seen, experts said Tuesday.

“He’s probably going to lay out what he wants, how people have been trying to stop it in a very ridiculous way,” said Democratic consultant Joseph Mercurio, of National Political Services Inc. “He’s probably going to point to the benefits and show how none of the negatives are going to be the case.”

The timing and content of tonight’s speech are crucial, Mercurio said, calling it a “planned communications campaign.”

Rep. Charles Boustany, of Lafayette, La., is slated to deliver the GOP rebuttal to Obama’s national speech. Another Louisianan, Gov. Bobby Jindal, gave the Republican response to the president’s February address but was widely panned.

(With AP)

Bill Clinton's success overshadowing Hillary's?

Wednesday August 5, 2009 8:10 PM By Emily Ngo

Having accomplished his secret mission to North Korea, former President Bill Clinton was welcomed home with journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling in tow.

Behind the scenes, however, it was his wife, Hillary, who had toiled with the details. The secretary of state had been mocked as a “funny lady” and “schoolgirl” by North Korean leaders — the same ones who insisted Bill be the one to visit.

“She has definitely been overshadowed,” said Karen  O’Connor, of the Women & Politics Institute at American University. “It puts her in the position of looking like she’s depending on her husband, which I don’t believe she is.

“In actuality, as secretary of state, she can’t do much, because the U.S. doesn’t have a diplomatic relationship with North Korea,” O’Connor said.

Hillary Clinton’s position could create a conflict of interest if the former president officially reclaims the diplomatic stage, but he’s a natural choice for an envoy, said Donald T. Phillips, author of “The Clinton Charisma.”

“If you go out of the country, Clinton is like a rock star,” Phillips said. “Part of it is not only his basic charisma, but a lot of it is how frequently he traveled around the world.”

The couple’s influence is undeniable, experts said.

“We’re sort of lucky. Everybody said when he first got elected that we’re getting two for the price of one,” said political analyst Keli Goff, author of “Party Crashing.” “Now we sort of have that in reverse.”

NAACP gets pitch from top Republican

Tuesday July 14, 2009 6:01 PM By Jason Fink

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele addresses the NAACP 100th anniversary convention Tuesday in Manhattan

By Jason Fink

The 100th anniversary convention of the NAACP in Manhattan may seem an unlikely place to try to sell the Republican Party, but that’s just what GOP chairman Michael Steele did Tuesday.

“The GOP and the NAACP have very often missed real opportunities to communicate and engage each other,” said Steele, the first African-American to be elected chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Steele, 50, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, who won a protracted battle to head the party after its resounding defeats on election day last year, joked with attendees at the week-long convention being held at the Hilton Hotel.“If a black man can become chairman of the Republican National Committee, then anything is possible,” he said.

The changing face of the NAACP and of national politics were very much on the minds of convention goers, who will be addressed by President Barack Obama Thursday and whose proceedings Tuesday took place as Sonia Sotomayor sought to become the first Hispanic on the Supreme Court.

“We have to get ready to look at what this country’s becoming: A melting pot of leadership,” said Adrian Jones, 38, a delegate from Nashville. “Now the minority groups are the majority.”

Lottie Tann, 67, the NAACP’s New York state treasurer, said the organization is now focused on inequities in education, health care and the criminal justice system.

“Today racism is still alive but it’s a different animal,” said Tann, of Brooklyn.

She said the local chapter had fielded thousands of requests to see Obama’s speech, which will be his first official event in the city.

“It’s a wonderful thing that is happening in our 100th year,” she said. “When he came to speak to us during the campaign he promised he would be back.”

Levi Johnston: Palin can't hack it as prez

Monday July 13, 2009 5:20 PM By Marlene Naanes

(AP photo)

Levi Johnston, the father of Sarah Palin’s grandchild Tripp, said yesterday the former vice presidential candidate wouldn’t hack it if she ran for president— and he wouldn’t vote for her if she did.

“She’s very smart, but I just don’t think she can handle the stress level as governor,” the 19-year-old told NBC’s “Today” show yesterday. “I don’t think she can handle it as president or vice president.”

Johnston, who has a son with Palin’s daughter, Bristol, also said that Palin was not upfront with the public when she announced she was leaving her post as Alaskan governor to spend more time with her family. He said it was also about money.

After her failed VP bid, all sorts of offers were coming in, including pitches for reality TV shows. She also reportedly signed a book deal for somewhere in the ballpark of $7 million.“There’s been talk about it would be nice to just take the money and run,” Johnston told Ann Curry on “Today”.

Johnston, who is trying to get into acting and is shopping a Palin book idea, said if she does run for higher office, she wouldn’t get his vote.

“If you’d asked me that question a while back, I think I would’ve,” he said. “But after what she had done now, you know, quitting on Alaska, I don’t really think that she’s been the governor she could have for Alaska.”

Palin’s spokesperson did not respond to the interview by Monday evening, but has accused Johnston of lying during other recent interviews.

(Marlene Naanes)

Sotomayor will answer questions on race, bias at Senate hearings

Sunday July 12, 2009 6:54 PM By Jason Fink

In this file photo, Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor meets with Senate Judiciary Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) in his office on Capitol Hill. AP Photo

By Jason Fink

Bronx native Sonia Sotomayor is expected to cruise to a seat on the Supreme Court, but the explosive topics of race and bias will likely provide its share of drama at her Senate confirmation hearings, which kick off Monday.

Republican senators Sunday vowed to grill Sotomayor over her comments that a “wise Latina” might make a better decision in a case than a white man.

“She has criticized the idea that a woman and a man would reach the same result,” Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), the ranking Republican on the committee, said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “That’s philosophically incompatible with the American system.”Members of the the Senate Judiciary Committee will also press Sotomayor, 55, for her views on hot-button social issues from affirmative action to abortion.

Still, few predicted her nomination would be held up and Republicans announced they would not try to filibuster the final vote.

“I believe she’ll be approved,” Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who is one of Sotomayor’s biggest champions, said during an appearance on “Meet the Press.”

In the seven weeks since Sotomayor, an appeals court judge who grew up in New York City’s public housing, was tapped to be the first Latina on the high court, opponents have highlighted her comments about race, accusing her of bias. But that hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of supporters in her hometown.

“She had one misstep, saying she has a better opinion than a white male,” said Dave Percoskie, 61, of Manhattan. “I think that was out of context.”

Julian Zelizer, a history professor at Princeton, said GOP senators will raise the issue but will also tread lightly, fearing a backlash from Hispanic voters.

“In many ways the risks for Republicans are greater than the rewards they will get,” he said.

President Barack Obama called Sotomayor yesterday and complimented her for making courtesy calls to 89 senators.

Today’s hearings will consist of opening statements from the 12 Democrats and seven Republicans on the committee, as well as Sotomayor herself. The questioning will likely begin tomorrow and Democrats are hoping to have a full Senate vote before the August recess.

Anastasia Economides and the AP contributed to this story.

Obama's speech earn him positive reviews in Ghana

Sunday July 12, 2009 2:18 PM By Emily Ngo

By Phillip Molnar

Special to amNewYork

President Barack Obama’s pledge over the weekend to assist those African countries committed to democracy won him praise from Ghanaians who spent months preparing for the visit.

“It’s history for Africa,” said 32-year-old soccer recruiter Joojo Armah, of Accra, the capital of Ghana where Obama spoke. “Everyone is trying to see the first black [American] president.”

The president on Saturday also encouraged eco-friendly energy solutions, strong health care systems and peaceful resolutions to conflict.

“Africa’s future is up to Africa,” said Obama, who commended the strength of Ghana’s democracy, saying they “help point the way forward” for the rest of Africa. The West African country declared its independence 52 years ago and, despite a series of military coups, has peacefully transferred power three times.

The president announced $63 million to fund a new global health care initiative to fight, among others, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and polio, but stressed caution in extending “America’s helping hand” unless African countries can meet his four requirements.Obama asked the African youth — nearly 40 percent of Ghana is under 14 years of age — to change their continent. “The world will be what you make it,” he said.

Throughout Ghana, people gathered around TV sets and listened to radios to hear Obama. Reaction to his speech was positive.

“What Obama said makes sense to Africans,” said Godwin Omebo, 32, of Accra. “I hope Obama says that to every [African] head of state.”

Ombeo, who works at a radio station in the capital, said Obama visiting is a “great opportunity” for his country. “I think Ghana will be one of the top countries in five years.”

Francis Fia, 44, a building contractor in north Accra, said the speech was in his top five of all time. “[Obama] showed his desire to help,” he said. “It was great.”

Obama said Ghana “shows a face that the West doesn’t often see” and that Africa is not just “the crude characteristic of a continent at perpetual war.”

Ghanaians have been preparing for Obama for months: street vendors have been selling Obama shirts and football jerseys, a local musician named Blakk Rasta created an Obama song that is regularly played on radios across Ghana, and large billboards with a picture of Ghanaian President John Atta Mills and Obama, that read “Partnership for Change,” dominated Accra’s landscape.

Ghanaians walked away from the speech hopeful for a new relationship, especially the youth he directed to lead the charge. “Obama has warmed the ties between [our] countries,” said 19-year-old student Jasmine Mkiumah. “I hope there are more visitors.”

Ghanaians cheer on President Barack Obama during his visit Saturday to the West African country. (Photos: AP)

Report: City Council more environmentally friendly

Thursday July 9, 2009 6:01 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

The City Council is becoming a green legislation machine, according to a tally of member’s environmental records released Thursday.

A green group gave council members 68 out of 100 for their records of sponsoring or voting for environment-friendly bills. In 2006 they received a score of 46.

“The scorecard shows that, by and large, the City Council is making progress,” said a statement released by the New York League of Conservation Voters, which gave the grades.The scorecard looked at the 51 council members’ position on 13 environmental bills, giving extra points for voting yes on five bills that had the broadest environmental impact. The legislation included the mayor’s congestion pricing bill, which passed the city council but not the legislature, and a bill that banned commercial establishments from letting air conditioning pour into the street through open doors.

Even though the council improved overall since the 2006 survey, the same amount of members — about half — scored below 65.

Eight members scored 100 percent. And seven received the two lowest scores, 13 and 17.

Most of the low-scoring members had no comment or could not be reached, but Erik Martin Dilan’s office noted that some of the 13 bills have not yet been voted on, and he only sponsors bills after carefully reviewing them. Dilan, who scored a 13, said he’s concerned about the impact some of the bills, which involved energy issues, on homeowners.

Councilman James Oddo (R-Staten Island), who scored 17, took issue with the group and its scoring. Oddo sponsored a bill, which was signed into law last month and increased the penalty for cutting down trees in four areas protected by the city.

“We’re trying to protect older trees,” he said. “Where’s that factored into their scorecard? Their 17 means nothing to me. It’s not reflective of my record on the environment.”

-------------

The best and worst voting records on green legislation, according to the survey:

Gale Brewer (D-Manhattan) 100

Daniel Garodnick (D-Manhattan) 100

Alan Gerson (D-Manhattan) 100

Eric Gioia (D-Queens) 100

Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan) 100

Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan) 100

Thomas White Jr. (D-Queens) 100

David Yassky (D-Brooklyn) 100

Erik Martin Dilan (D-Brooklyn) 13

Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn) 17

Mathieu Eugene (D-Brooklyn) 17

Vincent Ignizio (R-Staten Island) 17

Darlene Mealy (D-Brooklyn) 17

James Oddo (R-Staten Island) 17

Eric Ulrich (R-Queens) 17

Source: New York League of Conservation Voters

Obama coming to NYC next week

Wednesday July 8, 2009 5:57 PM By Jason Fink

President Barack Obama will make his first official visit to New York City next week when he addresses the 100th anniversary convention of the NAACP.

Obama is scheduled to speak next Thursday morning, the final day of the convention, at the Hilton New York on Sixth Avenue.

The convention begins Saturday and will also include speeches by Gov. David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Colin Powell and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

City won't hire new cops till Albany cleans up its mess

Monday July 6, 2009 6:12 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

New York City will put off swearing in 250 new cops Wednesday, part of a hiring freeze brought on by the continuing stalemate in the state Senate.

With no action on a bill to increase the city sales tax, which would have raised $60 million this month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg Monday announced the freeze, which will also indefinitely delay the hiring of 150 firefighters, 90 EMTs, 34 911 operators and others.

The state Senate’s inability to function may literally result in blood on the streets,” said City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria).The city will also review outside contracts, many of which were set to have begun July 1, and suspend agreements for non-essential services.

Asked about a recent report that Bloomberg was considering $52 million in raises for city managers, a mayoral spokesman would only say that City Hall never announced any increases and that those salaries have been frozen since last year.

“We have a legal mandate to produce a balanced budget,” Bloomberg said.

The freeze came on a day when the Senate again failed to pass any bills, meeting for a brief, fruitless session ordered by Gov. David Paterson.

The chamber is deadlocked 31-31 with no lieutenant governor to break the tie.

One lawmaker and two non-profit watchdog groups, suggested Monday that Paterson appoint someone to the post, but Attorney General Andrew Cuomo quickly released a statement saying such a move would be unconstitutional.

“We certainly understand the mayor's frustration,” said Austin Shafran, a spokesman for ousted Majority Leader Sen. Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans).

Ellis: Who's the next victim of the Republican curse?

Thursday June 25, 2009 9:39 PM By Emily Ngo

Mark Sanford got caught with an Argentine mistress.

Bobby Jindal opened his mouth.

John Ensign two-timed with a one-time staffer.

By this point, Sarah Palin's personal calamities are almost too numerous to name.

It’s the Republican Curse of 2012. Who else dares to enter this race? Call it presidential politics, Agatha Christie-style.

No one has fully explained why. But bad things keep happening to promising candidates. Just as soon as they get dubbed “rising Republican star” — it’s flameout time.

Sanford is only the latest. The telegenic, second-term South Carolina governor was being so widely touted as someone to watch, he was put in charge of the Republican Governors Association, even ahead of Palin.

Then, the curse struck again.

Having been slapped around by his own Republican Legislature and the South Carolina courts, Sanford decided he needed a little head-clearing time on the Appalachian Trail — or, better yet, in the arms of his Buenos Aires e-mail babe. He didn’t bother to mention any of this to anyone back home.Clearly, no uncursed politician would ever pull a maneuver like that.

I’m telling you, these Republican hopefuls are cursed!

How else to explain what happened to Ensign? The family-values Nevada senator watched helplessly while his White House dreams collided with his lust for a former campaign aide, who also happened to be his congressional assistant’s wife.

The curse!

Why else would Louisiana’s Jindal answer Barack Obama’s State of the Union with a high school debate performance in front of a staircase from “Gone With the Wind”?

The curse!

And what about Palin? Just as her name began to float as a possible Republican 2012 nominee, unpleasant things began to occur. Her teenage daughter got pregnant. Her future son-in-law became an ex-future-son-in-law. With dire consequences, she decided to discuss complex domestic issues and foreign affairs. Certainly, she had to know better than that.

She was helpless in the face of the curse.

No one knows yet who will be the next victim of the Republican Curse of 2012.

But here’s a hint: Who else from the party might like to be president?

Viral video: Obama's superpowers

Tuesday June 23, 2009 1:36 PM By Sean Joseph

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Barack Obama, and he has come to save the day! JibJab puts the rock in Barack with a new, over-the-top satire.

New Yorkers lend virtual hand to Iranian counterparts

Thursday June 18, 2009 9:11 PM By Emily Ngo

Supporters of Iran's opposition movement rally in Union Square late Wednesday.

By Emily Ngo

Mirroring a movement that has mobilized hundreds of thousands of protesters halfway across the world in Tehran, Iran, New Yorkers are taking to the streets and social networking sites to lend their support.

Facebook and Twitter — where photos are swapped, protests organized and news updates shared — have given supporters a viral stake in Iran’s disputed presidential elections.

“We live in a globalized world,” said Saeed Rahimi, 33, of TriBeCa. “They’ve touched our hearts via new media, and we want to show them that we’re here for them.”

The Iranian government has been largely unsuccessful in quashing the use of Facebook, Twitter and the like, which New Yorkers used to organize at a Union Square protest late Wednesday. Many of the roughly 600 attendees wore green ribbons as headbands and carried signs denouncing violence in Iran.

Hundreds are expected at a similar protest set for 2 p.m. Saturday at the United Nations headquarters. Tech-savvy supporters also are organizing a Global Protest Day at 10 a.m. on Saturday.“New media is really important because we are able to get internal reports from abroad,” said Sahar Vahidi, 22, who designed the fliers for the rally and follows about 10 Iranian students on Twitter. “Things we really have no way of seeing through own eyes.”

Web sites, such as WhereIsMyVote.org and Twitter applications such as one that turns members’ photos green (the color of reformist Mir Hossein Mousavi’s campaign) are further uniting dissidents. Tweets under the IranElection tag, which rocketed past the 221,000-per-hour mark on Wednesday, averaged 4,000 per hour on Thursday.

“There is no question that the use of cell phones and the Internet … has ushered in a new era of global ‘people’s reporting,’ ” said Frederick Shiels, a foreign policy expert at Mercy College. “Blocking attempts [by the Iranian government] have been “too little, too late.”

In Union Square, some protesters argued that both Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the apparent winner of the June 12 election, and runner-up Mir Hossein Mousavi are corrupt.

“It’s a double-edged sword and both edges are going to stab them in the back,” said Beheshteh Farshneshani, 23, an Upper East Sider who wore a version of the Iranian flag as a dress.

The rallies are meant to grab the attention of the all-powerful supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini, and the Guardian Council, Farshneshani said.

“We’re here for change,” said Amir Haven, 29, of the West Village. “We need democracy instead of being preached to by a supreme leader who rules the country."

Expert: Iranian protesters' uprising puts Ahmadinejad on political probation

Thursday June 18, 2009 8:55 PM By Emily Ngo

Hundreds of thousands of protesters march Thursday in Tehran, Iran. (Getty)

By Emily Ngo

Frederick Shiels, a political science professor and foreign policy expert at Mercy College, spoke with amNewYork about fallout from the Iranian election:

Will this outpouring of support impact the outcome of the vote?

The popular uprising is unlikely to result in a new vote or recount, but it will certainly send a strong signal to [President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad and his supporters that they are on a kind of political probation with much of the country.

Do most Iranians believe Ahmadinejad won?

Most, but far from all, believe the incumbent has “won.” But he has also “lost” in the sense of losing international credibility, even in the Muslim world.

Do these massive rallies signal an upheaval within Iran? Who is behind them?

There is nobody really “behind” the upheaval. It is a largely spontaneous and fueled partly by the younger and more progressive, pro-Western minority that the clerics so fear.Ahmadinejad likely will remain president, but how will this public outrage impact him domestically and in the international arena?

It will give him pause. Leaders tend to put self-preservation ahead of repression when the cards are stacked against them. … [He] will rail against outside influence and proceed exactly as he has before. No more, no less.

Do you foresee a power-sharing deal?

Probably not, but events may influence the clerics that guide Ahmadinejad to give some lip service to reconciliation. The Western media tend to engage in “magical thinking” that the vocal minority protests in Iran may bring about a “reverse replay” of the Shah’s overthrow in 1978-79.

Has the Obama administration struck the right tone?

[President Barack] Obama himself has been measured and intelligent; his chief advisers have urged a more vocal, critical approach to the elections. … Obama will probably slightly ramp up his remarks to appease the media and his advisers.

What impact has the Internet (Facebook, Twitter ...) and new media have in fueling the opposition?

There is no question that the use of cell phones and the Internet has ushered in a new era of global “people’s reporting” of the unfolding of a historic uprising.

Is Obama at risk of overexposure?

Thursday June 18, 2009 10:46 AM By Jason Fink

President Barack Obama in the East Room of the White House yesterday. AP photo.

By Jason Fink

If the president is the person you invite into your living room every night, has Barack Obama overstayed his welcome?

After winning the first presidential election of the Facebook era, Obama has found a number of new ways to communicate and sell his policies, but early in his tenure, he has also become a constant presence on TV.

Whether it is grabbing burgers with Vice President Joe Biden, yukking it up with Jay Leno, or sitting down with ABC News for an “exclusive” two-part primetime discussion of health care next week, some wonder whether all this exposure will simply drown out his message in the white noise of an increasingly cluttered media landscape.

“He is too visible, it dilutes the importance of the office,” said Tom Smith, 49, of Manhattan. “I tune out . . . Sooner or later he's just going to be another face on TV.”Obama has held more news conferences and primetime addresses than any of his immediate predecessors in the same time frame, and he and his family have graced the pages of pop culture magazines such as People and US Weekly. His new dog commanded hours of cable news coverage, as did his “date night” trip to New York with his wife, Michelle.

The comedian Bill Maher - an Obama supporter - caused a stir last week with his on-air rant imploring the president to cut back on the TV time.

“You're the president,” Maher said Friday on his HBO show. “Not a rerun of 'Law and Order.'”

Obama's critics have long charged that he focuses too much on making speeches and playing to the crowds. Sen. John McCain, his Republican opponent last year, famously ran an ad accusing him of being nothing more than a celebrity.

“There is a danger of oversaturation but in this media environment, I don't think there's much choice,” said Julian Zelizer, a history professor at Princeton University.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Zelizer and others argue that Obama, riding a wave of popularity, is smart to use as many media outlets as possible, reaching a variety of audiences. Besides, they say, the telegenic president is his own best salesman.

“I absolutely think it's working,” said Mike Edelman, a New York-based Republican strategist. “He's letting people know that he's accessible.”

Brett Gary, a professor of media, culture and communications at NYU, said whether Obama is overexposed or a welcome presence on TV largely depends on the opinion the viewer already has of the president.

“It's only overexposure when his popularity starts to go down,” Gary said.

Anastasia Economides contributed to this story

Viral video: Stealthy Obama kills a fly

Wednesday June 17, 2009 1:05 PM By Sean Joseph

President Barack Obama didn’t need the Secret Service to get rid of a pesky fly during a live interview with CNBC the other day. He swatted it on his first try.

Is is high time for new marijuana laws?

Tuesday June 16, 2009 6:45 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Are the pungent winds of change wafting into New York, carrying a new momentum for loosening marijuana laws?

“Support has increased substantially,” said Gabriel Sayegh, a New York director for the Drug Policy Alliance, which is pushing for reform of pot laws. “The time for broader discussion of these issues is finally here”

For Kenia Rodriguez, 21, of Brooklyn, the answer is clear.

“People do it regardless, so the government might as well” legalize it, she said.

With 13 states approving medical marijuana and bills pending in five more - includingNew York - many legalization advocates say these are heady days. In fact, a national poll shows close to half of adult Americans are open to legalizing pot altogether.

Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Ron Paul (R-Texas) co-authored a bill that would reduce federal penalties for possession. And with a drug war raging in Mexico, state budgets in crisis and a president who said, “Yes - I inhaled” arguments to legalize the drug are gaining traction.

In New York, the assembly has twice passed bills to legalize the drug for medicinal purposes and one is currently pending in both chambers, though the chaos in the senate may imperil its chances this year.

“There is overwhelming public support for medical marijuana,” said Assemb. Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan), a co-sponsor of the current bill and author of the 1977 law that decriminalized possession of less than 25 grams. “I think it is long overdue for New York law to catch up with the people and with medical science.”

A spokesman for Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan, the head of the state’s DA association, is “open to discussion” on the medical marijuana bill co-sponsored by state Sen. Diane Savino (D-Staten Island).

Both Savino and Gottfried also said they are open to dropping restrictions against recreational marijuana use, although Gottfried said such legalization is not now on the agenda in New York.

According to estimates by Harvard University economist Jeffrey Miron, legalization of marijuana could save the country at least $7.7 billion in law enforcement costs and generate more than $6 billion in revenue if it were taxed like cigarettes and alcohol.

Of course, not everyone is in favor.

“We think it's the wrong message to send our youth,” said Russell Laine, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

The Drug Enforcement Administration remains opposed, saying in one document that it would "create dependency and treatment issues, and open the door to use of other drugs, impaired health, delinquent behavior, and drugged drivers."

Nicole Wilson, 20, of Brooklyn, had her own reasons for opposing it.

“It shouldn't be legal because it makes people do stupid things,” she said.

Iran election dispute fuels protest in NYC

Sunday June 14, 2009 7:09 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

Calling the Iranian presidential election a fraud and a sham, more than 100 protesters gathered near the United Nations yesterday, hoping to persuade the international community that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election is a hoax.

Many protestors wore green, the color associated with supporters of Ahmadinejad’s main challenger, Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has called the election results fraudulent amid violent protests in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Ahmadinejad called the outrage “not important” yesterday, two days after declaring victory by a landslide.

“Ahmadinejad is giving the biggest middle finger to the people of Iran,” said Sara Jafary, 25, Inwood, who cast her vote for Mousavi in New York. “It is absolutely and positively rigged.”

Jafary was one of many Iranian American protestors who said Ahmadinejad’s victory declaration hours after voting ended made it clear that the paper ballots had not even been counted.Other demonstrators said their family members told them of ballot boxes stuffed with votes as soon as the polls opened, fueling speculation of fraud early on. Nassim Alikhani, 50, of Manhattan, said her brother told her poll workers tried to invalidate his vote.

“We are all overwhelmed,” Alikhani said. “I’m hoping with the protest and international support, we call for a fresh round of elections. We want international observers.”

Many protesters said they were hoping to shine a light on the violence in Tehran. Although there is no official report of casualties since the Friday election, the protesters said their friends and family reported deaths in Tehran streets.

Expert: Election fever has erupted in Iran

Thursday June 11, 2009 8:45 PM By Emily Ngo

By Emily Ngo

Hooman Majd, author of “The Ayatollah Begs to Differ: The Paradox of Modern Iran,” spoke with amNewYork about the presidential race Friday. Incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces off with reformist Mir Hossein Mousavi and two other challengers.

What’s the likely scenario Friday?

There’s a good chance this will go to a second round. … The probability at this point is that it would be Ahmadinejad and Mousavi. If that were to happen, the likelihood that Mousavi would win would be even greater. Ahmadinejad’s whole campaign strategy has been not to go a second round.

You returned from Iran days ago. What was the sentiment?

The whole place just exploded in election fever. … There were crowds of people gathering in squares and boulevards and rallies everywhere. Tens of thousands of people show up, and in some way, get into this idea that, “Yes, the elections do matter. It does make a difference who’s president,” even though they understand that the supreme leader has ultimate authority in Iran. … It may even change the view of the supreme leader when he sees that the public looking for change.What is Ahmadinejad’s base?

Some of the working class. Some of the very socially conservative people. Basically, there are people in Iran who feel comfortable with Iran’s revolutionary stance. … People who feel that the revolution has brought them equality in terms of class equality and opportunity and people who are just sort of afraid of change. People afraid that if Iran moves past this revolutionary stage, that they will be left behind. That stage will gobble them up and they’ll be back to poor wage-earners and have little opportunity for advancement.

What is Mousavi’s base?

Something to remember about Iran is that there are so many university graduates that even among the rural and the rural poor where Ahmadinejad does have support, there have been families that have one or two university graduates and/or one or two kids at the university level who are clamoring for change, who are affecting their parents’ choices. Much as they were here with [presidential candidate Barack] Obama.

What role does the female vote play?

Women — who are very vocal in Iran and are 60 percent of Iran’s university graduates and are in the workforce and do all kinds of jobs — are very vocal in supporting Mousavi in particular, mainly because they feel that Ahmadinejad’s government is far more misogynistic than the previous government. And they know that Mousavi is not. His wife [Zahra Rahnavard] is actively campaigning for him — the first time that happened in Iran.

Does the supreme leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, side with one candidate or the other?

In the last couple weeks, he hasn’t. People know based on his past behavior and past speeches that he would prefer someone like Ahmadinejad. And it’s a complicated issue, because he also has problems with Ahmadinejad as well. So do some of the other conservative people in Iran. But the supreme leader’s choice doesn’t make — even if he were to come out and say, I want Ahmadinejad to be president — in some ways, that could backfire on Ahmadinejad, because some people vote against what the supreme leader wants.

Are there past examples?

It may have happened in 1997 when [Mohammad] Khatami became president. First of all, no one expected him to become president. Secondly, the supreme leader openly and actively backed his opponent. Despite all that, Khatami actually won 70 percent of the vote, and it shows that one, the supreme leader’s choice doesn’t win and second, the election is actually quite fair. If they didn’t want Khatami to be elected president, they could have slyly fudged the vote and make him lose. And he won twice in a high landslide.

Photo: Michael Halsband

Q&A: Ideology, diplomacy are key themes in Iranian elections

Thursday June 11, 2009 8:35 PM By Emily Ngo

(AP)

By Emily Ngo

Imam Amir Mukhtar Faezi, who leads a Chicago-area mosque, hosted colleague and former President Mohammad Khatami during his visit to the United States in 2006. Faezi speaks with amNewYork about the election’s implications:

What makes this election different from others in recent Iranian history?

This is a very tight, neck-to-neck race. … For 16 years [under President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and then President Mohammad Khatami], the presidents of Iran were mindful of diplomatic norms and international diplomacy. And then all of the sudden, President [Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad comes and his time was different. … Iranians are very mindful of their image on the international stage. … They want to have someone who is more delicate, more diplomatic, more respectful and more understanding of the complex nature of international issues.

What key issues do Iranian voters most care about?

Mainly, the cultural and international issues have more importance than just the economic issues. … For both candidates, their bases are convinced that their candidate will bring them more jobs. Those who support [reformist candidate Mir Hossein] Mousavi, they believe there will be a more open approach to international communities, that he will bring new investments and there will be less sanctions against the economy. But followers of Ahmadinejad, they believe he is very much concerned about poor people and he will use all that is at his disposal to uplift the poor and uplift the common people.What role does supreme leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and leading clerics play in the elections?

Officially the supreme leaders maintain neutrality and they don’t really give a very clear signal that they are supporting any particular candidate, but people know who the supreme leader will be pleased to see as president. In Iran, people know that that man is Ahmadinejad. He always praises him and generally talks highly of him.

Do leading clerics tamper with results?

No. They don’t rig the elections. There’s no big tampering. At lower levels here and there, maybe a little bit, but there are fair elections. In Iran, the people in government play some rules and a game so that the party they don’t like gets frustrated and emotional. The do little things on the day of the election to give you a hard time … to make you run here and there and up and down. There are little blips, but they don’t tamper with the major election.

How will the elections affect relations with the West, particularly the United States?

If Mousavi is elected, it will be like the time of Khatami, it will be more dialogue, more speeches, more gracious gestures, but I don’t think there’s going to be a very big difference in results. On foreign issues and other important issues, the president doesn’t have the final word. The supreme leader has a lot of power and the final word. Then there’s parliament, which has influence when this new elected president tries to make his cabinet. … If Ahmadinejad is reelected — his time was a lot of rhetoric, fiery speeches and lots of unusual statements — he will continue doing the same thing because he thinks people have approved it. ... Because ideologues they don’t get convinced; they convince others.

Henican: America's funniest statehouse is in Albany

Thursday June 11, 2009 7:48 PM By Emily Ngo

“These Albany people,” I was marveling Thursday, “they come straight from Central Casting.”

Randy Credico, who’s been working for years in the capital on drug-law reform, begged to differ.

“A couple of them,” he said, “come straight from Central Booking.”

But this being Albany, there’s a third opinion on everything. Thursday, it came from New York talent agent Joe Brauner, a legendary judge of the human condition.

“More like Comedy Central,” Brauner said.

He gets the prize.

You can’t report with a straight face any more from the New York State capital. In Albany these days at lunch, they ask about the coup du jour.

One crucial state senator, indicted for slashing his girlfriend’s face, is now having trouble deciding, “Who should I stab in the back?”

The pathetic Senate Republicans?

Or the moronic Senate Democrats?It’ll take more than Tom Golisano’s billions to buy either side a brain.

A shaky new coalition — two D’s and 30 R’s — grabbed control of the Senate earlier this week.

They thought they did, anyway. But that alleged slice-and-dice man, Democrat-turned-whatever Hiram Monserrate, grew suddenly blade-shy, scampering out of the Senate chamber before drawing a drop of blood.

Suddenly, his new Republican BFFs were left without the quorum they needed to rule.

They’d finally managed to find a key to the bolted doors of the chamber, so it wasn’t a locksmith they needed now. It was a couple of extra bodies and a very patient shrink.

The Democrats were every bit as embarrassing. They have now lost all pride. Unable to hold their own Senate majority with bribery, pressure, chairmanships and threats, they went trotting with their hands out to the state Supreme Court, where Justice George Ceres promptly laughed them out the door.

With these clowns, what choice did he have?

(Are you the kind of person who likes to laugh at politics? Then, come see Friday’s “Obama Comedy Duel.” This irreverent show pits me against Republican-leaning comic Jim Mendrinos. Bleecker Street Theatre, NYC. Details at www.henican.com. Come cheer for me and Barack!)

E-mail ellis@henican.com. Follow on Twitter.com/Henican

Fighting uphill battle, Bill Thompson tries to make his case

Thursday June 11, 2009 2:56 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

It may not quite be David vs. Goliath, but it’s close.

Presumed Democratic mayoral nominee Bill Thompson is facing a financial juggernaut and popular incumbent whose ubiquitous TV ads and glossy brochures have been blanketing the city for months.

Contrast that with Thompson, who, according to a recent poll, is virtually unknown to 72 percent of New Yorkers.

Such a number looks daunting for a man who’s spent much of his adult life in public office, including the last eight years in a citywide post, comptroller in a heavily Democratic city.“He’s had an inability to define himself,” said Democratic political consultant, Evan Stavisky. “It is going to be extremely difficult for Bill Thompson to get any traction.”

It is this conventional wisdom – that Mayor Michael Bloomberg, with his $16 billion fortune and 60 percent approval ratings, is virtually unbeatable – that Thompson seeks to dispel.

“The first thing is getting past this feeling of inevitability,” Thompson said in an exclusive interview this week. “Yes, he can be beat.”

The Bloomberg camp declined comment, but political experts inside and outside the campaign say Thompson must do three things between now and Election Day: introduce himself to voters, make the case against Bloomberg, and time his move right.

Making himself known to voters

Thompson is limited to $6 million in spending before the September primary, when he faces token opposition in Councilman Tony Avella from Bayside.

With no TV ads, Thompson is relying mostly on press coverage, leafleting and grass roots organizing. His appearances have increased in recent months, speaking out on high-profile issues such as mayoral control of the schools, the MTA bailout and the current leadership battle in the state senate.

“It’s going to be tough but he has to push through,” said potential voter, Aziz Jackson, 40, of Harlem. “He has to put himself out there.

Case against Bloomberg

Thompson has been quick pitting himself against Bloomberg, denouncing the mayor on everything from his opposition to raising income taxes on the wealthy to his support of work requirements for certain food stamp recipients.

Thompson has also made water rate hikes a pet cause, last week calling for the re-organization of the water board.

“If somehow or another Thompson can tangle Bloomberg up in that (populist) rage he may have an opening,” said David Birdsell, dean of Baruch College. “The risk on that is it’s essentially a negative play.”

It’s about timing

Most voters don’t pay attention until after Labor Day. Once the general election begins, Thompson will have no spending limit because Bloomberg has opted out of the public financing system and may drop $80 million on the campaign.

“Our strategy . . . has been don’t spend a lot of money now,” said Eddy Castell, Thompson’s campaign manager, who added that TV advertising will come in the fall. “Come September, the lights will come on.”

Shayndi Raice contributed to this story.

For Iranians, high stakes in historic presidential race

Wednesday June 10, 2009 9:21 PM By Emily Ngo

(AP)

By Emily Ngo

In one corner, a sea of green-clad students chants the reformist candidate’s name.

In another, crowds of conservatives unfurl national flags in support of the incumbent president.

Election fever has gripped Iran.

“This is the most contested and divisive election in the history of the Islamic Republic,” said Ahmad Sadri, who writes for Iranian.com and Persian newspaper Etemad-e Melli. "It is the most extreme instance of this sense of empowerment, even in an imperfect election."

Supporters of challenger Mir Hossein Mousavi and two other candidates cast their ballots tomorrow in an attempt to unseat hawkish President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 52.

For the first time, Iranians feel able to redirect their government’s hard-line course on nuclear weapons, acrimonious relations with the U.S. and the West, and repression of gays, women and Jews — among other issues that have isolated Iran from the rest of the world.

Although the supreme leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and leading conservative clerics essentially run Iran, the president represents the nation on the world stage.

“People get into this idea that, ‘Yes, the elections do matter. It does make a difference who’s president,’” said Hooman Majd, author of “The Ayatollah Begs to Differ.” “It may even change the view of the supreme leader when he sees that the public is looking for change.”Iranian students who use Facebook to organize unusually raucous rallies see that change in Mousavi, 67, a reformist boosted by his activist wife and the backing of popular ex-President Mohammad Khatami. More than half of Iran’s population is younger than 30.

“This is a young generation who’s extremely smart — some of the best doctors and engineers in the world — and they’re not able to use their degrees and build their own lives,” said Shamila Dilmaghani, 26, a New Yorker keeping tabs through cousins in Iran. “The election comes at a time when Iran’s economy is suffering.”

Ahmadinejad’s mishandling of the economic crisis amid record oil prices has left Iran’s youth short of opportunities, experts said.

However, Ahmadinejad has secured much of the country’s working-class and social-conservative vote. Rural voters feel the president has redistributed oil wealth to them and improved class equality, experts said.

Recent election results in Lebanon, where a pro-Western coalition beat Hezbollah, could be a precursor, experts said.

“If the reformers win Iran, the two elections combined will have a calming effect in the region,” said Sadri, chair of Islamic World Studies at Lake Forest University. “Of course, the system is rigged. … But a bit of luck and a huge landslide can overwhelm the theocratic stopgaps.”

Pasha Pashazadeh in midtown New York (RJ Mickelson/amNY)

Some expats in New York were much more skeptical.

“This is a sneaky type of election decorated to look real on the surface,” said Pasha Pashazadeh, 67, formerly a reporter in Tehran and now a Persian rug merchant in midtown. “The candidates have the same differences you would find in prison guards. And one thing is the same among all of them: loyalty to the system, the supreme leader and religion.”

---

On the ballot:

If one candidate does not earn more than 50 percent of the vote, the election will enter a second round. Here’s a look at those vying for president:

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, 52

* Iran’s current president, former mayor of Tehran

* Populist often called a demagogue for sharp tongue and hateful speech toward Israel

* Appeals to rural voters, the working class and social conservatives with promises to spread oil wealth

Mir Hossein Mousavi, 67

* Leading challenger, former prime minister

* Reformist, artist and professor with politically active wife, Zahra Rahnavard

* Appeals to youths and female voters and promotes women’s rights

Mahdi Karroubi, 72

* Mid-rank cleric and former parliament speaker

* Moderate who pledges to nationalize oil revenues

* Also promotes international dialogue and women’s rights

Mohsen Rezaei, 55

* Expediency Council secretary, economics professor and former Revolutionary Guard commander

* Conservative who vows larger private sector

* Wanted by Interpol for links to deadly 1994 bombing of Argentine Jewish center

* Banned from the U.S. and the European Union

(Emily Ngo)

Letterman and Palin's love-hate relationship revived

Tuesday June 9, 2009 6:40 PM By Marlene Naanes

(Getty)

By Marlene Naanes

Sarah Palin yesterday said a David Letterman joke about her “slutty flight attendant look” during one of his Top Ten lists was “pathetic.”

Letterman continued his comedic love affair with the Alaskan governor, whose visit this weekend was a media spectacle, with the “Top Ten Highlights of Sarah Palin’s Trip to New York” on Monday’s “Late Show.”

No. 2 on the list joked that Palin “bought makeup from Bloomingdale's to update her slutty flight attendant look.”

California-based radio show host John Ziegler asked Palin what she thought about the joke during his show on KGIL-1260 yesterday. Palin said Letterman was “sad” not to realize she was in New York “doing some good things here for good people,” including an autism walk.

“That’s pretty pathetic, good ol’ David Letterman,” Palin said.Letterman’s publicist did not comment.

Letterman also took a swipe at Palin’s teenage daughter Bristol during his monologue in the same show, joking that she was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez during the Yankee game her mother attended.

Palin went to Sunday’s game as part of a trip to New York, which also included stops upstate and on Long Island.

Palin and her former presidential running-mate Sen. John McCain were a favorite butt of Letterman’s jokes during their failed bid for the White House. However, Letterman’s humor turned to ire when McCain canceled an appearance on the “Late Show,” saying he was heading to Washington to deal with the economic crisis when he really took an interview with Katie Couric.

Letterman ripped McCain for days after the incident, and eventually the senator returned to the show and apologized.

Senate fights intensifies as Democrats refuse to concede

Tuesday June 9, 2009 5:48 PM By Jason Fink

State Sen. Pedro Espada, (D-Bronx), and Sen. Dean Skelos, R-(Rockville Centre), at the Capitol in Albany on Tuesday. AP photo.

By Jason Fink

Democrats and Republicans in Albany Tuesday continued to fight over the keys to the Senate chamber — literally.

The secretary of the senate, Angelo Aponte, who works for ousted Majority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-St. Albans), was holding the keys to the locked chamber, prompting Republicans — who won a slim majority after two Democrats defected Monday — to vow to convene in a park across from the Capitol today if necessary.

“We will have a session on Wednesday,” said Scott Reif, a spokesman for newly-installed Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).A spokesman for Smith, Austin Shafran, remained defiant, saying in an e-mail message: “No handing over of keys whatsoever.”

As for Gov. David Paterson, he said he will not leave the state as long as there is uncertainty over who is senate president - the next in line to the governor.

Both sides huddled in meetings all day Tuesday planning their next moves, with Republicans seeking to peal off more Democrats by offering them committee chairs.

One possibility for the Democrats to regain control is for the members to form a majority under a different leader. There are 30 Republicans in the 62-member senate, with Democrats Pedro Espada, Jr. (D-Bronx), who was elected senate president, and Sen. Hiram Monserrate (D-Elmhurst) voting for the new leadership.

Some Democrats also have threatened legal action, though many doubt it would come to that.

“A judge would be loathe to get involved,” said Gene Russianoff, a lawyer with the New York Public Interest Research Group. “What’s he going to do, enjoin Pedro Espada from voting with the Republicans?”

Obama's Mideast speech captivates Muslims

Thursday June 4, 2009 8:59 PM By Emily Ngo

Sara Sayeed, Zead Ramadan and Aliya Latif watch President Barack Obama's speech at a roundtable event at the Interfaith Center Thursday. (AP)

By Emily Ngo

President Barack Obama captured the attention of the Muslim world Thursday with an address that encouraged candid conversation — something local Islamic leaders enthusiastically engaged in.

“It was the most comprehensive speech ever by a president to connect with the Islamic world,” said Zead Ramadan, of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “It was a real treat to have President Obama make clear to people around the world the value of Islam. At its core, it’s obviously a religion of peace.”

Ramadan and other members of the city’s Muslim community, who gathered at the Interfaith Center in Morningside Heights to discuss the speech, agreed that it hit all the right themes. Many deemed it a necessary primer on the Islamic identity beyond the headlines.

“The president pointed out that there are a number of people out there who carry out acts of violence and they don’t speak for the majority of Muslims,” said Asim Rehman, of the Muslim Bar Association of New York. “Many Muslims would say that they are not even Muslims.” Beyond rhetoric, however, many Muslims are anxious for action, especially on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. “The message is hopeful ... but we really need to see it backed up with concrete policies,” Rehman said.

Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, a researcher with the Inner-City Muslim Action Network, said the speech was a strong start for Obama. “What he’s doing with this speech is building trust, very subtly, saying we actually respect you … and we’re partners on this planet Earth,” he said.

Obama favored the use of “violent extremism” rather than “terrorism,” quoted Quran passages and strove for the correct pronunciations of “Pakistan,” “Taliban” and other terms. The nuances weren’t lost on the roundtable members.

“He opened the door. I feel a new sense of commitment, energy and activism,” said Haroon Moghul, of the Islamic Center at NYU. “When you hear that the most powerful man in the world agrees with some of your ideas, it’s a good feeling.”

Expert: Obama strives for balance, pushes honest talk on Mideast

Thursday June 4, 2009 8:49 PM By Emily Ngo

Hind Culhane, an expert on the Middle East and a dean at Mercy College, spoke with amNewYork about the implications of President Barack Obama’s speech.

How will this visit by President Barack Obama be different than others by U.S. leaders?

He’s going to the university. He’s going to visit a mosque. ... He’s going to the men and women in the streets. That’s where you get the pulse. He has a tone of respect: I am here to learn from you.

How can he grab the region’s attention?

He can say, "I don’t lump you all together. You’re not all radical. You’re not all Arab. You’re not all Muslim. You wear different hats." He’s going to talk about the common human values that we share, because he’s very sincere about that.Why did he choose to visit Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak?

From the U.S. point of view, Mubarak keeps the country stable. He’s acknowledged Israel. ... If you ask the Egyptians, they might clap for him in public, but they think President Mubarak’s been there too long and there has not been any movement in democracy.

Muslims seem most concerned and united by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Why?

If you survey Muslims in the world, this whole issue of the occupation — of Palestinians being bombed, marginalized, living as refugees for 60 years — that’s what is most important. It’s a crucial area of concern for the Muslims, because it’s Jerusalem. It is the Holy Land.

How is Obama’s approach more novel?

His approach of straight talk — as much as a politician can be — is demanding of both sides to have an honest dialogue to solve this problem. There’s fault on both sides. I don’t envy him because there has to be such a balance to each side where you don’t

antagonize either.

Why is the Muslim world more welcoming of him?

He represents a shift to the Muslim world. They think: “Hey, there’s someone in the White House who not only looks like us, he’s really looking in our direction.”

Could one speech really improve the U.S. image in the Muslim world?

This is a first step, but in order for it to be sustainable, you can’t just talk the talk. He is [however] laying the ground for restoring trust.

(Emily Ngo)

Q&A with Cynthia Nixon on same-sex marriage in New York

Wednesday June 3, 2009 6:25 PM By Marlene Naanes

Actress Cynthia Nixon has become the face of the fight to pass same-sex marriage legislation in the state Senate. The “Sex and the City” star spoke with amNewYork about her efforts:

Has any one factor seemingly swayed legislators you’ve lobbied?

I think a big theme was the gay people in these straight senators’ lives, whether it’s their friends or their co-workers. … When they think about … continuing to deny them this basic civil right, it just doesn’t add up for them.

Do you see momentum for New York to approve same-sex marriage?

New York is seen as progressive or cutting edge in a million different ways. And we certainly have a very large, out gay population here, and the fact that Iowa has been comfortable enough to implement this civil rights innovation and we have not I think is a little bit of a stain on New York’s character. I think we’re trying to catch up.Why do you think it's taking a little longer here?

I think it was five years ago that Massachusetts first passed it. If you look at how fast this is moving, it’s really very heartening. Five years ago...I think if you asked most Americans, "Hey the idea of a man marrying a man or a woman marrying a woman, have you ever heard of that? Does that make sense to you?" People would have looked at you like you’re crazy. Those of us who are waiting to have full civil rights equality, we are impatient. But if I step back a bit and I take a little bit more of a broader view, I say when you compare everybody else's civil rights struggle, this is moving pretty fast.

Mudslinging enters same-sex marriage debate

Wednesday June 3, 2009 6:19 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

Harsh words began to fly yesterday in the race to pass same-sex marriage legislation through the state Senate before the looming end of the session.

Gay-marriage opponent Sen. Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) told proponent Sen. Tom Duane (D-Manhattan) to put up or shut up yesterday. Diaz said in a statement that Duane, who recently said there are enough Senate votes plus a cushion to pass the measure, should release those senators’ names.

“If not, he should shut up,” Diaz’ statement read. “If any member of the State Senate is so ashamed to have their names released or to release their own names for this or for any pending legislation, then they clearly feel ashamed of their position.”

Duane’s office responded only “LOL,” text speak for laughing out loud, to the latest developments in the push for same-sex marriage, which began last month when the governor introduced legislation. It swiftly passed the Assembly, but is proving to be a tougher battle in the senate with the session due to end on June 22.

Advocates’ outreach efforts are at a fevered pitch to ensure the measure passes before then, seemingly letting yesterday’s mudslinging slide off their backs.“All [Diaz] can do is sling insults at people,” said Cathy Marino-Thomas, Marriage Equality New York board president. “My feeling is he’s afraid it will pass…He must be very worried.”

Proponents and opponents have both been hopeful for their respective causes without sounding over-confident.

A spate in states adopting same-sex marriage laws fueled hope for advocates in New York, particularly with New Hampshire adding itself to that list late yesterday.

Yet, opponents say they are gaining their own ground in New York.

“It’s very close, but we don’t think they have [the] votes right now and we will continue to see,” said Maggie Gallagher, founder of the National Organization for Marriage.

Surprise: Fame and fortunes don't make you happy

Tuesday June 2, 2009 7:26 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friends, nor does money really make the world go around.

So says a study coming out later this month in the “Journal of Research in Personality,” which found that the pursuit of money, beauty and fame actually make people less happy.

“It’s like a deadly trap,” said Diana Kirschner, a Manhattan psychologist and author who was not involved with the study but agreed with its results. “Some of the richest people I’ve seen have been the most unhappy with their lives.”

Researchers followed 150 graduates from the University of Rochester and Knox College in Illinois for two years and assessed their satisfaction with life, self-esteem and relationships. Participants also rated their levels of anxiety, stress and physical ailments like headaches.Graduates hungry for wealth, glamour or fame — and achieved those goals — were the most anxious and unhappy, researchers found. On the flip side, those who developed strong relationships and a sense of community felt less stressed and more self-assure.

“Rich people may have everything they want, but then it’s like, ‘Now what,’” said Ismael Mendozo, a 21-year-old waiter from Kew Gardens, who agreed with the researchers’ analysis. “Better to be happy with yourself first.”

Similarly, Darryl Hassell, 46, a maintenance worker at Citi Field, said it is his personal relationships that he finds fulfilling.

“I’m happy to take care of my family and work,” said Hassell, of Bedford-Stuyvesant.

The findings counter a long-standing psychological theory that people are happy once they achieve riches and stardom, particularly since they often suffer to get there, said Edward Deci, a Rochester psychology professor who co-authored the study.

“It’s very easy to fall … onto this treadmill of looking for more and more,” Deci said. “It’s really important to stop from time to time and look honestly at what are the things that are really meaningful.”

In a fast-paced, success-driven city like Gotham, however, fame and wealth make many New Yorkers tick.

“I don’t think being rich is a recipe for happiness, but it’s in the right direction,” said Kim Page, 46, a Manhattan marketing executive. “I know poor unattractive people who are unhappy as well.”

Still, New York psychologists say that the economic meltdown has forced some of their clients to shed the rat race for more meaningful pursuits.

“That’s the silver lining,” Kirschner said.”

Anastasia Economides contributed to this story.

TJ and Jess break Guinness radio record with 112 interviews

Tuesday June 2, 2009 3:10 PM By Emily Ngo

TJ Walker, a communications expert who oft analyzes politics for amNewYork, and co-author Jess Todtfeld reportedly broke a Guinness world record by talking for nine solid hours (TJ knows talk) and completing 112 interviews in 24 hours in promotion of their new book, "TJ Walker's Secret to Foolproof Presentations."

Congratulations to them!

Comptroller's race shaping up as most heated campaign of summer

Wednesday May 27, 2009 6:30 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

With the Democratic nomination for mayor all but locked up by Comptroller Bill Thompson, the race to succeed him appears to be the most competitive primary, as the four front-runners try to position themselves as the party’s future stars.

“This is really Round 1 for the next generation of Democratic politicians,” said Doug Birdsell, dean of the Baruch College for Public Affairs.

Thompson, the party’s presumed mayoral nominee, is facing an uphill battle against billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who may spend $100 million on his campaign.Whoever gets the Democratic nod to replace Thompson will not face much opposition in November and can spend the next four years gearing up for 2013, political observers say.

“The comptroller’s race is the big game in town and that’s going to be the thing that probably defines the next mayoral campaign,” said Joe Mercurio, a Democratic political strategist.

Wednesday, following Rep. Anthony Weiner’s (D-Brooklyn/Queens) withdrawal from the mayor’s race, the four top comptroller candidates - city council members John Liu, 42, of Flushing; Melinda Katz, 43, of Forest Hills; David Weprin, 56, of Hollis and David Yassky, 45, of Brooklyn – showed unity by endorsing Thompson on the steps of City Hall, even as they answered questions about their own contest.

“The comptroller’s race will shape the future of the party,” Yassky said.

Liu called it “the hottest race in town.”

There is a primary for public advocate, though Mark Green, who held the position for two terms,

appears to be the front-runner, with the backing of 42 percent of voters in a four-man race, according a recent Marist poll.

Thompson will face Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) in the primary but few expect it to be close.

Bronx native tapped for high court, would be first Latina justice

Tuesday May 26, 2009 7:01 PM By Jason Fink

President Barack Obama talks with his Supreme Court choice Sonia Sotomayor during the announcement in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

By Jason Fink

and Marlene Naanes

She is a diehard Yankees fan, a self-described “Nuyorican” and a tough judge with a sharp legal mind whose no-nonsense manner was born in the South Bronx of her childhood.

And if President Barack Obama has his way, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, 54, will be the next U.S. Supreme Court justice, completing an incredible journey that began in the Bronxdale Houses public housing complex and found her Tuesday in the East Room of the White House, beaming as she stood next to the president.

“I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences,” said Sotomayor, who will be the first Latina judge on the High Court if confirmed.Those who know her describe Sotomayor, a federal appeals court judge, as a confident, practical jurist who controls the courtroom and focuses on the arguments before her with laser-like precision.

“Her probing mind is very much a trait of her background,” said Cesar Perales, who knew Sotomayor when she served on the board of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund in the 1980s, when he was CEO. “I would hope that during the confirmation hearings, people don't start saying she's pushy. That's the way New Yorkers are.”

While Sotomayor's nomination is expected to pass the Democratic-majority Senate, critics Tuesday blasted what they called an overtly ideological tenure as a judge.

"Judge Sotomayor is a liberal judicial activist of the first order who thinks her own personal political agenda is more important that the law as written," said Wendy Long of the Judicial Confirmation Network. "She thinks that judges should dictate policy, and that one's sex, race, and ethnicity ought to affect the decisions one renders from the bench.”

Thomas Dupree Jr., a deputy assistant attorney general under President George W. Bush, said what he most remembers about Sotomayor, before whom he argued five cases at the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, were her rapid-fire questions and ability to get to the heart of a case quickly.

“She will call upon you to defend . . . the weakest parts of your argument and that's what a good judge does,” he said. “When you argue in front of Judge Sotomayor you better be prepared.”

Sotomayor, whose parents came form Puerto Rico, had said she knew she wanted to be a judge when she was 10 years old, the year after her father died and shortly after she was diagnosed with diabetes. Her mother, Celina, worked six days a week to send her and her brother to Catholic school and education was a top priority in the Sotomayor household, former neighbors at the Bronxdale Houses said Tuesday.

“They were a nice family,” said Lorelei McGhee, who grew up with Sotomayor and still lives at Bronxdale. “(Celina) was an excellent mother. She was one who made sure you did your homework.”

Jeri Faulkner, 52, served in student government with Sotomayor at Cardinal Spellman High School, where she is now dean of students.

“She seemed to have the entire package,” Faulkner said. “She was smart, approachable, she was someone who would laugh with you not at you. She always had time for your questions, no matter how silly they seemed to be.”

Even those too young to have known Sotomayor said her nomination is an inspiration for those with similar backgrounds.

“I'm basically speechless right now,” said Bronxdale resident Fernando Ares, 19. “It gives hopes to so many people that they can change their lives. It doesn't matter where you come from, you can dream.”

Pervaiz Shallwani contributed this story

Obey Giant/Mayor Bloomberg

Tuesday May 26, 2009 2:44 PM By Emily Ngo

Shepard Fairey (or someone very closely mimicking his style) has found a local target! It's Mayor Mike Bloomberg! "Oyvey"? I'm hoping someone can explain this sticker I found in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens.

— Emily Ngo

For Memorial Day, honoring young New York soldiers

Thursday May 21, 2009 6:24 PM By Heather Haddon

Spc. Juan Arango, 24, of Elmhurst, served as a gunner in Afghanistan with the New York National Guard last year.

By Heather Haddon

Memorial Day evokes images of weekend cookouts, but the holiday strikes a personal chord with New York's thousands of veterans. As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan soldier on, an increasing number of young city dwellers have gained an intimate perspective on combat, along with the quieter struggles of transiting home.

Spc. Juan Arango, 24, Elmhurst

Manhattan gridlock can feel uncomfortably similar to traffic in Kabul. But here, drivers do not defer to American Humvees and pedestrians need not be frisked for bombs.

“I get a lot of flashbacks when I'm driving,” said Juan Arango, a National Guard grunt with the 69th Infantry Regiment. “You have to control the feelings, even though you want to ram that yellow taxi off the road.”

The Colombian native fought on the frontlines of Afghanistan in 2008, the deadliest year for foreign soldiers since the war began. Shortly after his brigade arrived, 400 Taliban fighters and 700 criminals escaped from prison. His job as a gunner on long-distance convoys became harrowing.

“I had my mother’s face in mind all the time,” Arango said. “We were just waiting for attacks to happen.”Arango lost one of his best friends, a Bayside father whose name, Jasson, lives on in a tattoo. But Arango returned home unscathed to his parents and wife in January. Then, new struggles arose: crowds elicited paranoia; a door slam caused him to bolt out of sleep.

Arango's outlook has improved in the past two months and he has applied to law enforcement jobs.

“You learn a lot from people over there,” said Arango, recalling that little boys often wore dresses for a lack of pants. “You appreciate every piece of clothing you have.”

Sgt. Annmelissa Harvey, 29

Annmelissa Harvey had hit a wall in juggling full-time work and college. She found a break from the burnout, unexpectedly, in the military.

“When I first joined, there hadn't been a war and no one expected a war,” said Harvey, who enlisted with a Bronx Army recruiter in 2000. “When the war started, then I was scared.”

The Jamaica native shipped out in 2002, the year before the war, with the 3rd Corps Support Command, helping to run logistics at the Balad military base in northern Iraq. She moved everything from “toilet paper to military parts.”

The ceaseless heat and 14-hour days made for a trying three years. But Harvey learned to relate to people of all stripe. Out in Iraq, her livelihood depended on it.

“You had to trust people like you knew them forever,” she said.

Harvey returned home safe in 2005, her mother ecstatic to count her “10 fingers and 10 toes.” She enrolled at Hunter College, joining 114 other student veterans. Next Thursday, Harvey graduates with a degree in social work.

“It taught me how to take one day at a time and be thankful,” said Harvey, who hopes to work in social service. “It changes your whole perspective on life.”

76: New York City soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan since start of wars

74,000: New York state residents deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan since Sept. 11

10,700: State soldiers currently in Iraq or Afghanistan

240,000: Total number of living New York City veterans

The public advocate: High power in an obscure post

Wednesday May 20, 2009 1:55 PM By Pete Catapano

By Pete Catapano

The person who holds this position is second in line to the mayor, gets paid $150,000 a year, oversees a staff of about 40 and a budget just under $3 million.

Yet few seem to know what the public advocate does, and others wonder whether it’s a position worth keeping.

"I definitely don't know what that is. … it advocates public things?” said Nidia Medina, 24, of Brooklyn.

"Yes, Betsy Gosbourne (sic) used to work there,” said Benjamin Arnold, 55, of the Bronx. "Actually I'm not sure."

The race for the public advocate is one of the mostly hotly contested in the November election, as politicians line up to replace Betsy Gotbaum, who isn’t running for a third term. The only other person to hold the position was Mark Green, who became the first public advocate in 1993 when it replaced the City Council President.

(Betsy Gotbaum/RJ Mickelson, amNewYork)For the record

The public advocate responds to New Yorkers’ complaints about city agencies, presides over the City Council and keeps tabs on the mayor.

It’s function is often confused with the city’s 311 information/help hotline, which has a nearly $50 million budget, but is largely a referral service.

“The city gets a big bang for its buck … from a small, tiny budget and you need to have oversight over a real powerful mayor,” Gotbaum said.

Almost Abolished

In 1999, then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani tried to obliterate the position, fearing that his nemesis Green would become mayor if he was elected to the senate — but a referendum to amend the City Charter was voted down.

In 2005, Jim Lesczynski ran for the public advocate as a Liberterian, vowing to dissolve the “worthless” office.

“Green had the job for eight years and did nothing with it and Gotbaum is going on eight years and has done nothing,” Lesczynski said. “There’s nothing they can do with it, it’s a fairly toothless position.”

Denora Getachew, director of public policy for the good government group Citizens Union, said: “We can’t say wholeheartedly that it’s not a useful office. We need to look at the way the city offices are overlapping and working together and what’s the best way to deliver services to the people.”

Success on a tight budget

Sarah Krauss, spokeswoman for the public advocate, stressed the office’s efficiency — 82 percent of complaints were settled in a New Yorker’s favor last year.

“We get 12,000 complaints a year,” she said. “Unlike 311, we see them through … until there is some kind of resolution.”

“That’s why I think all this conversation about not having it is ridiculous,” Gotbaum said. “People don’t know about us, but if we could advertise we’d have an increased volume of calls.”

Krauss added that it’s problematic to be keeping tabs on the mayor when he plays a role in their funding.

The mayor, though, doesn’t have the only say in the public advocate’s budget.

“The budget is set in collaborative process with the City Council,” said Bloomberg spokesman Marc Lavorgnia.

Richard Brown, a 55-year-old retired Brooklyn cop, is a supporter. “If they see the public being cheated, they make themselves a pest until they do something. … We need noisemakers."

Five candidates running for public advocate tell amNewYork why they want the job:

Alex Zablocki, Republican candidate

“The main character of the office is to answer complaints about city agencies and it’s something I’ve been doing for six years working (as an excutive assistant for Staten Island state senator and former Councilman) for Andrew Lanza. I want it because of a genuine need to help people.”

Norman Siegel, civil rights lawyer

“I want the position to: A) protect and enhance the rights of all New Yorkers and B) hold city government accountable.”

Eric Gioia, City Councilman

“There are too many people in this city who feel invisible … I’m running for public advocate to ensure that they have a voice at City Hall.”

Bill De Blasio, City Councilman

“As public advocate, I want to continue to do what I have done my entire life - bring families and communities together to change New York for the better.”

Mark Green, former public advocate

“I'm running because our city is in trouble and struggling New Yorkers need a strong advocate in government.”

What the office does

The public advocate’s office helps everyone from business owners who’ve been denied permits by the Buildings Department because of paperwork mess ups to residents who’ve gotten parking tickets they don’t deserve.

Union ad campaign blasts city's use of contractors

Monday May 18, 2009 6:44 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

The city's largest municipal workers union launched an ad campaign Monday slamming the city over its use of outside contractors.

The subway ads, paid for by District Council 37, show a variety of city workers and text saying they save taxpayers' money. Other ads feature the slogan “Cut private contractors not public service.”

The ads appear on 570 cars and will be up for a month.DC37, which represents 125,000 of the city's 300,000 workers, also published a highly critical report in February about the use of private contract employees, who work across a wide range of departments.

The report said the city spent $9 billion this year on contractors - up from $6.7 billion in 2005.

“This is a misuse of taxpayers' dollars and it's just the tip of the iceberg," said Lillian Roberts, head of DC 37.

The city disputes the union's numbers.

“This report overestimates savings and underestimates cost, and doesn't account for burdensome pension obligations,” said the spokesman, Jason Post. “We encourage DC 37 to come to the table with ideas on pension and health care savings."

A union spokeswoman declined to reveal how much the ad campaign costs.

Swine flu outbreak the city's worst

Thursday May 14, 2009 7:56 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

Facing its worst outbreak of swine flu to date, the city Thursday closed three Queens schools where hundreds of students reported flu-like symptoms and an assistant principal fell critically ill.

In a flare-up of swine flu Mayor Michael Bloomberg called “troubling,” four students and a staff member tested positive for swine flu at Intermediate School 238 in Hollis, officials said. More than 50 students have been sent home sick from the school this month.

During a new conference, Bloomberg said the assistant principal was hospitalized, though it was also reported that he was near death. The school official, whose name was not revealed, reportedly had pre-existing health problems.“[The flu] appears to spread rapidly,” Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg said there was no evidence yet that the flu had mutated into a more virulent strain, nor had it widely spread beyond the schools.

At Intermediate School 5 in Elmhurst, 241 students were absent yesterday, and dozens more were reported sick at Public School 16 in Corona.

The schools, with a total population of 4,500 students, will remain closed until next Friday.

Officials did not immediately know why all the cases had occurred in Queens.

Swine flu first broke out last month in the city in a Queens Roman Catholic high school. The infected students recovered and the school has reopened. There have been more than 4,000 cases nationwide, with three deaths.

“We encourage everyone to remain alert, rather than alarmed,” said Gov. David Paterson.

Craigslist to police sex ads, critics call changes "half-baked"

Wednesday May 13, 2009 7:30 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The “Internet brothel” is closing for business ... or will it?

After two high-profile sex-related slayings, Craigslist officials agreed to shutter its “erotic services” section next week and substitute it with an “adult” category that will be screened for illegal content, Illinois authorities announced yesterday.

The shift follows increasing heat from several states to bag the ads, which feature titles like “best prostrate massage” and “soapy body slide (with) blond.”

But skeptics said the shift will do little to curb thinly veiled prostitution requests, and slammed it as a last-minute attempt to avoid legal action.

“In the middle of the night, Craigslist took unilateral action which we suspect will prove to be half-baked,” said state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who is seeking to sue the Web site in a prostitution case.In March, the Cook County sheriff in Illinois sued Craigslist over alleged prostitution ads. Last month, 26-year-old Julissa Brisman, of Manhattan, was allegedly shot dead by the “Craigslist Killer,” a 23-year-old medical student who responded to her massage-services ad. In March, George Weber, a 47-year-old New York radio anchor, was stabbed to death by a 16-year-old boy who responded to his Craigslist ad for sex, according to authorities.

Under the deal, site employees will review each ad before they are posted and ferret out those that feature pornography or advertise sex for money, the company said, insisting the changes were voluntary.

“We are optimistic that the new balance struck today will be an acceptable compromise,” the company stated through a spokeswoman.

But Craigslist employees will have their hands full reviewing the ads. Nearly 3,000 posts were placed on a single day earlier this week. The company didn’t explain why it revamped its policies, a move it resisted before, or just how it would check every ad.

“Do they have the resources to screen all of these ads,” asked Sonia Ossorio, a spokeswoman for New York City chapter of the National Organization for Women. “They can't possibly do it well.”

The new “adult” site is advertised on the main Craigslist page and has a nearly identical interface to the old “erotic” category. The deal also does nothing to address child trafficking and pornography ads.

Last year, a Queens pimp was convicted of forcing a 16-year-old girl to have sex with nearly 200 men in two weeks through Craigslist posts, in part.

“It's no 'Pretty Women' thing out there,” Ossorio said.

Tracy Quan, a former sex worker and Manhattan author, characterized the attack against the site's erotic section as a “witch hunt.”

“It's a way of exploiting hysteria,” Quan said. “If there weren't these absurd laws around sex work, there wouldn't be this push to go online.”

State authorities said they will continue to monitor the revamped adult section to ensure it is properly monitored.

“These measures are a solid next step, not a solution,” Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said.

Schumer: Feds must crack down on rampant car-warranty phone scam

Sunday May 10, 2009 6:23 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

Even Sen. Charles Schumer isn't immune from an phone scam pitching bunk car warranties.

Perpetrators have bombarded his and thousands of other cell phones across the country despite federal laws banning unsolicited calls to those on a federal registry.

During a news conference yesterday, Schumer demanded that the Federal Trade Commission investigate the scam, which has generated more than 140,000 inquiries to the Better Business Bureau, according to his office.

“It's just unacceptable that they are getting away with driving New York cell-phone users nuts,” said Schumer. “The FTC needs to seek out these crooks and shut them down.”

How does the scam work?

A computerized voice calling from an unrecognizable phone number says something like, “You are still eligible to reactivate warranty coverage. This is the final call before we close the file.” The recording typically gives a fake option to be removed.

Who is targeted?

Cell phone and landline users, drivers and people without cars. The companies call randomly generated phone numbers, and have managed to reach those on the National Do Not Call Registry.

What's the harm done?

Victims have purchased car warranties for hundreds of dollars that turn out to be useless. The calls also strip people of their cell phone minutes.What can people do?

As of now, phone owners can't avoid getting called, so just ignore the calls. Victims should file an official complaint with the FTC at www.donotcall.gov.

Rep. Weiner says he will decide on mayoral run in weeks

Sunday May 10, 2009 4:41 PM By Jason Fink

Rep. Anthony Weiner earlier this year. AP file photo

By Jason Fink

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brookyln/Queens), who appeared to abandon his mayoral hopes earlier this year, said Sunday he will decide at the end of the month whether he is running for the city’s top job.

Weiner, 44, sent a letter to supporters in March saying he would suspend his campaign for the Democratic nomination to challenge Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is seeking a third term.

Weiner, who has raised $5 million for the campaign, said he will make his decision when Congress goes into recess the last week of May.“At that point I’m going to make an announcement one way or the other,” he said.

City Comptroller Bill Thompson is running for the Democratic nod.

If Weiner runs, the two will face off in a primary in September. Bloomberg is running on the Republican and Independence Party lines.

Bloomberg to Obama: Don't worry about that plane thing

Thursday May 7, 2009 4:11 PM By Jason Fink

Though he was "furious" when it happened, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the Air Force One clone that buzzed lower Manhattan last week, causing panic, is now "long gone in history."

Following a meeting Thursday at the White House with President Barack Obama, Bloomberg played down the rift over the photo-op gone wrong.Asked about the plane by reporters after the meeting, which was about education reform, Bloomberg responded: “the planes are long gone in history. We gotta get worrying about things– kids are much more important than that kind of stuff,” according to Fox News.

Sarah Palin accused of using Bristol for political gain

Wednesday May 6, 2009 7:45 PM By Pete Catapano

Bristol Palin with ex boyfriend Levi Johnston (AP file photo)

BY Jason Fink

When Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin entered the national stage last year as the Republican vice presidential nominee, she often spoke of her family as a way to connect with voters.

Yesterday, as the governor's daughter, 18-year-old unwed mother Bristol Palin, hit the national TV circuit to promote abstinence, many saw the political calculations of a 2012 White House run.

“Everything Sarah Palin does is based on political opportunity, even getting her child involved,” said Mike Edelman, a New York-based Republican political consultant. “This is her way of shoring up her chits with the hard-right base.”Y

Reversing herself from statements she made in February, when she called abstinence “not realistic at all,” Bristol Palin yesterday said during interviews on two morning shows that avoiding sex should be the only option for teens.

“Regardless of what I did personally I just think that abstinence is the only way that you can effectively, 100 percent foolproof way you can prevent pregnancy,” she said on “Good Morning America.”

It was a different take from Levi Johnston, the father of her 4-moth-old son Tripp, who went on “The Early Show” on CBS yesterday and said abstinence “(is) not going to work.”

Politicians, from Barack Obama to John F. Kennedy, have routinely benefited from being photographed with their families. Though rarely have the children of such a high-profile figure grabbed such salacious headlines.

Some questioned whether the focus on Bristol's pregnancy - which elicited a torrent of media attention last year - would help her mother regardless of its intent.

“Who's not going to see through that?” said Karol Sheinin, a New York-based blogger and ardent Palin supporter. “It just reeks of political motivation.

Bristol Palin walked the red carpet in midtown with Hayden Panettiere of NBC's "Heroes" and Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Garza before addressing a town-hall meeting for teenagers organized by Candie's Foundation, which works to prevent teen pregnancy. Yesterday was National Teen Pregnancy Awareness Day.

Neil Cole, co-founder of Candie's, which does not promote abstinence-only education, said his organization contacted Bristol and that Sarah Palin was not involved.

“It's not a political issue,” he said.

But most agree the media blitz would have been unlikely without Gov. Palin's approval.

Using Bristol's pregnancy as a platform to promote abstinence could be a way for Sarah Palin to turn a political liability into an asset, said Patrick Egan, an assistant professor of politics at NYU.

“This is consistent with her making her personal life part of her political identity,” he said, mentioning Gov. Palin's own decision to have a child with Down syndrome, which she has emphasized in speaking about her opposition to abortion.“ Part of her appeal to the Republican base has to do with her being a strong pro-life advocate.” he said.

A woman who answered the phone in Gov. Palin's press office declined to comment and messages left with her political action committee were not returned.

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem to be honored by New York City Council

Tuesday May 5, 2009 6:37 PM By Jason Fink

Feminist icon Gloria Steinem will be honored Wednesday by the New York City Council.

Steinem will be honored for her "many years of dedicated activism and leadership," according to Council Speaker Christine Quinn's office, which announced the ceremony Tuesday.

The honor celebrates Steinem's 75th birthday, which was in March.The found of Ms. magazine, Steinem was one of the country's leading women's rights figures of the 1960s and 70s.

She has remained politically active, writing a widely discussed op-ed piece in the New York Times during the 2008 Democratic primary in which she argued that gender was "probably the most restricting force in American life," igniting a debate about the prejudices faced by the two front-runners: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Mayoral race: It doesn't cost millions to advertise on YouTube

Monday May 4, 2009 3:32 PM By Ryan Chatelain

By Ryan Chatelain

YouTube was an important tool in last year’s presidential campaign. Nationally televised debates fielded questions from voters asked via YouTube videos. Tech savvy candidates posted videos and messages. (OK, maybe they had their tech savvy people do it for them, but you get the point.)

This year’s mayoral election is arguably the first of the YouTube era. While technically YouTube was around when Michael Bloomberg won his second term in 2005, the video Web site was in its infancy then.

Today, YouTube is a full-fledged cultural phenomenon, and some candidates are taking full advantage of the low-cost way of reaching potential voters.

Here are some videos from this year’s hopefuls. (In case you’re wondering, there are no videos from U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner because he is still deciding whether he’ll run.)

Newark Mayor Cory Booker endorses Michael Bloomberg, the independent running on the Republican ticket. Then our mayor promptly thanks Booker by declaring, “We have the most wonderful city in the world!”

City Councilman Tony Avella is running for mayor because he’s “mad as hell.” But he hasn’t posted a new campaign video since this welcome message for his Web site in February 2008.

Green Party candidate/performance artist/community activist Reverend Billy Talen unveils his remake of “New York, New York,” in which he and supporters sing, “Start spreading the wealth. I’m hoping to stay.”

100 days: Obama's bold start defined by promise, pitfalls

Tuesday April 28, 2009 8:34 PM By Emily Ngo

President Barack Obama has wrapped up his first 100 days in office by launching an ambitious and broad agenda. (AP)

By Emily Ngo

He campaigned for office on a platform of swift and sweeping change. Now, 100 days into his historic presidency, Barack Obama is pressing to fulfill that promise.

Supporters hail the nation’s first black president for acting decisively on a slew of issues. Critics contend that Obama, taking on too much too soon, is steering the country down the wrong path.

Here’s an overview of key actions Obama, 47, has taken since his Jan. 20 swearing-in:

Economy

Tackling the most daunting issue plaguing the nation, Obama signed a $787 billion stimulus into law with little Republican support. He and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner then introduced bailout plans for the financial and auto sectors, vowing increased oversight and putting a regulation overhaul into motion.

The road to recovery, however, was made bumpier by several Cabinet candidates’ tax problems and AIG’s controversial $165 million bonus payout. How soon joblessness eases, and whether consumer confidence is restored, remains to be seen.

“The stimulus package is going to be the key to his administration, the big enchilada,” said political consultant Jerry Skurnik of Prime New York. “If he can turn it around, he’ll be considered a success. If he doesn’t turn it around, then he’s got a big problem.”What’s next: It’s still too soon to gauge the success of Obama’s spending bill, but he awaits Congress’ decision this week on his proposed $3.6 trillion budget, which is likely to face resistance; evaluates the bank stress test results; and prepares the nation for another possible surge of stimulus.

Foreign policy

The commander in chief vowed a troop withdrawal from Iraq by the end of 2011 and planned a buildup in Afghanistan. He also has nearly reversed the doctrine of former President George W. Bush on international adversaries, loosening restrictions on Cuba and opening up channels of communication with Iran and Venezuela.

“Where [Bush was] aggressive and antagonistic and constantly getting us into trouble unnecessarily, Obama is pragmatic and realistic and willing to let people work with the United States,” said Democratic media consultant Joseph Mercurio.

What’s next: The president’s largest foreseeable challenges will be the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the Taliban foothold in Pakistan, said political analyst Doug Muzzio, a professor at Baruch College. Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also will need to manage North Korea’s nuclear threats and push for a peaceful solution for Israel and the Palestinians.

National security

Among Obama’s early initiatives were the scheduled closure of the Guantanamo Bay military prison and the ban on torture tactics. He released confidential CIA memos on Bush-era interrogation methods earlier this month. Obama’s first national security test was the Somali pirate attack on an American-flagged ship followed by the near-pandemic swine flu outbreak.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney led the GOP attack, arguing that Obama has made the U.S. more susceptible to a terror attack.

What’s next: The president and Clinton must figure out how to share resources with the Mexican government to fight drug cartels along the border, convince countries to take on Gitmo detainees and combat swine flu panic.

Other issues

Obama is fleshing out his plans for a larger social safety net. Campaign promises to make health care universal and immigration more inclusive “have not yet been fully addressed, but you see some movement on them, at least conceptually,” Muzzio said.

Obama’s order to allow federal funding for stem cell research demonstrated a less ideologically and religiously constrained stance than his predecessor, Muzzio said.

Obama also is working on climate change issues, said campaign strategist Kevin Wardally of Bill Lynch Associates, promoting a cap-and-trade program for carbon emissions and halting offshore oil and gas drilling.

“Here you have a president who’s in command of himself, command of the issues, command of the room,” Muzzio said.

Obama has managed a strong start, but “the next nine months are likely to prove more difficult than the first three,” said Brookings Institution fellow William Galston, former policy adviser to President Bill Clinton. “It is easier to broach issues than to resolve them.”

First lady to make national service fashionable

Tuesday April 28, 2009 8:30 PM By Emily Ngo

By Emily Ngo

Slipping seamlessly — and sleevelessly — into the spotlight, first lady Michelle Obama has enjoyed high approval ratings for her gracious manner and fashionable presence.

“One has a little bit of concern that she’s being seen as a decoration, because there’s so much attention paid to what she’s wearing,” said Liza Mundy, author of “Michelle: A Biography.”

Moving forward, however, the 45-year-old Obama is expected to lend her celebrity to a handful of domestic, family-oriented causes, Mundy said.

Among those issues the Harvard-educated mother of two has favored are:

* Benefits for working parents, such as extended maternity leave

* Support for military families

* Volunteerism and national service

* Behavior modification and better eating habits

* Bridging the gap between the White House and the D.C. community“She’s very aware of people who didn’t do as well as she did in life and feels an obligation to the community,” Mundy said. “In general, she’s made quite a graceful entrance.”

City finance head resigns amid ethics probe

Tuesday April 28, 2009 6:17 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The city’s finance chief resigned yesterday, two weeks after the mayor called for an investigation into her alleged ethical misconduct, including an affair with one of her staffers.

Martha Stark, 48, was caught employing three family members and dating former assistant commissioner Dara Ottley-Brown. Last month, she resigned from a real estate company that paid her $90,000 in 2007. Stark also faced scrutiny after she retained a parking judge who fudged his time sheets.

“I want to thank Martha for her years of service,” said Mayor Mike Bloomberg in a brief statement.

Randy Mastro, Stark's attorney, said she resigned to “keep her private life private.”

“New York City has lost one of its finest public servants,” Mastro said. “Martha did nothing wrong here.”Stark, who became the first black woman to run the department in 2002, received a salary $189,700. Her official last day is Friday, whereby Michael Hyman, a deputy finance commissioner, will be appointed as the acting department chief, according to a spokesman for the mayor.

The city wouldn’t comment on how far the investigation has progressed.

Bloomberg 'insensitive' to reporter in wheelchair

Thursday April 16, 2009 2:38 PM By Marlene Naanes

Reporter Michael Harris wants an apology from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. See video here. (Photo: Michael Kirby)

By Marlene Naanes

Mayor Michael Bloomberg stared down and chastised a wheelchair-bound reporter after his tape recorder accidentally started playing during a news conference aired live on TV Thursday.

The mayor halted his comments about same-sex marriage legislation during a news conference held by the governor in his Manhattan office, glaring at the reporter and refusing to continue even as Gov. David Paterson tried to joke about the interruption.

The reporter said he could not reach his tape recorder, which was playing an earlier news conference, because the coat it was in had been knocked off his chair by a photographer, activating the device.

At one point, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn leaned over and told the mayor the reporter was disabled, to which he replied: “I understand that. He can still turn it off.”

The episode showed a lack of sensitivity, disabled advocates said. The reporter was troubled by the incident and wants an apology.

“I was quite embarrassed,” said the reporter, Michael Harris, who writes for examiner.com and is also a disability rights advocate. “The mayor singled me out in front of my colleagues. I think an apology would be appropriate, but I'm not optimistic that the mayor's going to give one.”Harris said the photographer and security guard had to retrieve the coat so he could turn the device off.

Observers said the standoff, which lasted more than a minute, was awkward. Politicians who were standing behind him at times laughed or seemed puzzled.

New Yorkers said the mayor could have shown compassion.

“[Bloomberg] looked very obnoxious, to be honest with you,” said Boris Gaviria, 33, of Forest Hills, who watched the news conference on television. “He’s not getting my vote. I’m surprised he would do that - he wants to be for all Americans.”

In a Daily News video of the incident, someone in the background could be heard saying, “he's trying” while Harris apparently went to turn the device off. The mayor responded: “Let me start again because this is too important to get disruptive and maybe we just take everything outside.”

The mayor later said Harris is a good reporter and he would have responded the same to another reporter.

Harris said he didn’t receive an apology.

Lawrence Carter-Long, acting executive director of Disabilities Network of New York City, said he did not think the mayor was trying to be malicious and hoped the incident would shed light on the nuances of being disabled.

“It appears on the surface that there could be a little more sensitivity,” Carter-Long said. “I hope that everyone would learn the variables and nuances that occur within disabilities and they would educate themselves and think twice before making off-the-cuff comments.”

Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing), who was standing in the crowd of politicians while Bloomberg was speaking, called the mayor's reaction a "hissy fit."

"I happen to know Michael [Harris] very well," Liu sad. "Michael was moving quickly as he can move to shut the device off. It so happens that Michael isn’t as dexterous as some of us are. It was an honest mistake. It did not require the kind of reaction that the mayor put out."

Casey Feldman contributed to this report.

Marvel Comics shocker: Bloomberg out, Spider-Man's nemesis in as city's new mayor

Tuesday April 14, 2009 10:01 PM By Scott A. Rosenberg

On the last page of "The Amazing Spider-Man" No. 591, J. Jonah Jameson, Spider-Man's long-time nemesis, is elected mayor of New York City.

By Scott A. Rosenberg

Forget that quest for a third term: At least in the comic book universe, Michael Bloomberg mysteriously disappears and is out as mayor of New York City.

And the new man in City Hall does not bode well for our web-slinging superhero Spider-Man.

J. Jonah Jameson, the hardheaded, cigar-chomping, Spider-Man-hating editor of The Daily Bugle, is elected mayor of New York City in the latest issue of Marvel Comics’ “The Amazing Spider-Man,” which hits stores this morning.

Dan Slott, who wrote the latest issue, No. 591, said Spider-Man can’t get a break. “He can’t get a date; he can’t pay the rent. Everything is always stacked against him. So part of the fun of writing ‘Spider-Man’ is [deciding] what you can do to really screw Spider-Man. J. Jonah Jameson: mayor. That’s it. You’re hosed. Good luck.”

The cover to "The Amazing Spider-Man" No. 591

Jameson has been a thorn in Spider-Man’s side since March 1963, when he made his debut in the first issue of “The Amazing Spider-Man,” written by the legendary Marvel Comics writer and editor Stan Lee. He’s also been the penny-pinching boss of Peter Parker, Spider-Man’s alter ego. Lee says that the character was based on himself.

“I thought to myself, how would I be if I were a newspaper publisher?” Lee said. “I’d probably be bossy and irritable and loudmouthed.” But, he conceded, Jameson’s a hard worker and really cares about the newspaper. He’s “all bluster and he’s not a very likable guy.”

That doesn’t mean he’ll be a bad mayor. Writer Mark Waid said the plan at first was to make Jameson the most hated mayor of all time. And then the real-life economy collapsed.

“We kind of changed courses on Jonah and decided that being a man who could pinch a nickel until it bleeds is actually maybe not the worst thing for New York right now,” Waid said.

It’s hard to compare the over-the-top fictitious character to a real person, but both Slott and Waid said that Jameson shares traits with past mayors. Waid said he has the chutzpah of Ed Koch and Slott says he has the strong hand of Rudolph Giuliani.

But what happened to Mayor Mike?

Tom Brevoort, executive editor at Marvel, was somewhat nebulous about Bloomberg’s whereabouts. For one, Bloomberg does not even run against Jameson, who defeats two other candidates. Brevoort suggests Bloomberg’s fate is tied to Marvel’s last big event, Secret Invasion, an infiltration by aliens called the Skrulls who appeared in plotlines throughout the comic books.

“What happened to Mayor Bloomberg in the Marvel Universe?” he asks rhetorically. “I don’t know, crushed by a rock, killed during the Skrull invasion? Could’ve been anything.”

As for Jameson, the thing neither writer would reveal is his political orientation. Waid said they chose to skirt around the issue, so as not to alienate some of the fans. Slott, however, channeled the character himself for his answer, turning his voice gritty and angry.

“I think J. Jonah Jameson would say, ‘J. Jonah Jameson can’t be tied to any one party. J. Jonah Jameson is a man of the people,’” Slott barked. He paused, leaned in and then continued in character, “‘Dag blast it!’”

While Jameson might not be a favorite of Peter Parker, he is loved by some of the people who write him.

“Oh, Jameson is probably my favorite supporting character in comics,” Waid said. “He has a terrible sense of humor, but he’s a riot to be around, listening to him scream, and rant and bully. Deep down, there is a heart of gold there, but I think you would need a drill press and an electron microscope to find it.”

Slott is endeared to the character as well.

“Stan Lee created a … great, larger-than-life character that when it’s time to get behind the keys of the keyboard, you just channel him,” Slott said. “He’s very verbose. He’s very much a blowhard. He’s very sure of himself. And every now and then, he gets some really great strings of alliteration. He’s fun to write.”

And while Jameson has a lot of negative qualities — especially his hatred of Spider-Man — both writers said he’s not evil.

“I think Jonah doesn’t think he’s evil,” Slott said. “He’s wonderfully rounded out. He’s a proud American; he’s very proud of his son the astronaut; he’s very petty; he very much likes being in the spotlight. He can’t stand that Spider-Man — Parker — kind of gets on his nerves, too. There’s all these different aspects of his personality. How do you explain Jonah? He’s an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, wrapped in a newspaper.”

Following the reveal of Jameson as mayor in “The Amazing Spider-Man,” the book begins its new arc, “24/7,” written by Waid and drawn by Mike McKone, which deals with the repercussions of the new mayor on Parker’s life.

“[Parker] tries a few things to figure out how to cope with this,” Waid said. “Ultimately he decides, well, if being Spider-Man eight hours a day makes Jonah miserable, then I will be Spider-Man 24 hours a day and make his head explode.”

So, to sum it up, Spider-Man will be acting out of spite, which is not out of character for the wisecracking superhero. But Waid said that there is more to his motivations. Read the book to find out.

While Spider-Man is swinging around in a fictitious New York City, there are many real-world topics, which very well might be dealt with in the story. And one of Bloomberg’s issues right now is term limits. Readers, as well as Spider-Man, may very well be wondering if there are term limits in the Marvel Universe.

“Yes, there are,” Waid said. “The term limit is when the readers get fed up with this, we move on.”

Spider-Man’s New York

Spider-Man has spun his web across the city. Here are some hot spots in Spidey’s life.

• Forest Hills, Queens – This is where Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, grew up.

• Empire State University – Parker’s fictional lower Manhattan school is in the same area as New York University.

• The Daily Bugle – Located on the East Side, Parker’s newspaper is not far from the former home of the Daily News on East 42nd Street.

• The Baxter Building - Spider-Man’s allies The Fantastic Four live at this fictional building near Grand Central Terminal.

• Hell’s Kitchen – Another Spidey ally, Daredevil lives, appropriately enough, in Hell’s Kitchen.

Obama relaxes Cuba travel ban, stirring hope and fear

Monday April 13, 2009 3:05 PM By Jason Fink

The Che Guevara memorial across the Plaza de la Revolucion in Havana. Cuban Americans can now make unlimited visits to the island nation.

By Jason Fink and Rolando Pujol

The Obama administration's announcement Monday that it will permit unlimited travel and money transfers to Cuba by American relatives raised hopes among those seeking repeal of the half-century-old embargo, but hardened the resolve of longtime opponents of the Communist nation.

“It's a sign that the status quo is being rethought and revamped,” said Kevin Casas-Zamora, a fellow at the Brookings Institute and the former vice president of Costa Rica. “The noises I hear in Washington suggest that if anything a lot of people would like this to proceed much further.”

The White House unveiled one of the most significant policy shifts toward Cuba since the travel and trade ban was imposed following Communist leader Fidel Castro's seizure of power in 1959.The new rules will allow some 1.5 million Americans with relatives on the island to travel there as “ambassadors for freedom” as often as they want and send unlimited amounts of money, provided it does not go to government or Communist Party officials.

Under rules adopted by the Bush administration, travel was limited to two weeks every three years only for immediate family.

The administration will also permit companies to provide cell and television services in Cuba, allowing for direct communications.

“It will be beneficial for both sides,” said Alberto Magnan, who owns an art gallery in Chelsea and recently curated an exhibit of American art in Havana. “For Cuba it's great to have the Americans coming there. They've been somewhat closed to American news for a long time”

One local travel agency said Monday it has seen a surge in calls from Cuban Americans since word of the new policy began to leak last week.

“People are ordering passports they hadn't bothered to get before,” said Caridad Califano, the manager of Costamar Travel in West New York, N.J., the heart of the tri-state area's Cuban community.

Obama argues the changes will lead to more freedoms in Cuba, with residents relying less on the government. But not all Cuban Americans embraced the news.

Jesus Acosta, 74, who owns a restaurant, Rincon Criollo, in Corona, recalled yesterday being forced out of his restaurant in Cuba by gun-wielding soldiers. He said allowing more money to flow into the island will strengthen a repressive regime.

“Those people are bad news,” he said of the Castro government, now being run by Fidel's brother, Raul.

Republicans, especially in South Florida, as well as some Democrats, have long fought efforts to ease the restrictions.

The announcement comes before this weekend's Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, where other world leaders are expected to lobby Obama to lift the embargo entirely.

Obama has resisted the politically explosive step of dropping the embargo entirely, suggesting the Cuban government first needs to undertake deeper internal changes, such as freeing political prisoners.

Some critics yesterday called for Obama to go the distance and fully normalize relations.

“It's so past the time when we should have gotten over our pique at Fidel Castro for taking away our little jewel of an island,” said Sandra Levinson, head of the Center for Cuban Studies in Manhattan.

The AP contributed to this story

Bloomberg, Thompson, mayoral hopefuls seek thrifty image in costly election

Sunday April 12, 2009 6:19 PM By Emily Ngo

Incumbent Mayor Michael Bloomberg appears in new campaign ads without his usual suit.

By Emily Ngo

In a time of economic uncertainty, mayoral candidates this year face a new hurdle: earning votes without burning cash.

“It might make sense to appear a little less slick,” said political consultant Jerry Skurnik, of Prime New York. “There might be backlash if a campaign seems to be spending too much.”

New Yorkers are more cautious than ever with their money, and those politicians hoping to lead them out the recession must appear similarly savvy, experts said. Competitive campaigning, however, is no thrifty feat.

“You spend money on ads because the more money you spend, usually, the more effective the ads are,” Skurnik said about striking a balance. “You don’t want to spend so little that it looks amateurish and no one will pay attention to it.”Billionaire in the game

Incumbent Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a billionaire campaigning mostly on his own dime, is an unwitting exception to the rules, experts said. “Everyone knows how wealthy he is, so if he tried to act like, ‘I’m trying to watch my dollar,’ no one would buy that,” Skurnik said.

Bloomberg earlier this month rolled out his first TV spots, a $3 million effort in both English and Spanish focused on jobs. With the election still eight months away, opponents argued it was too soon and too extravagant.

The campaign countered that modesty in tone – not spending – is key to earning votes.

“We have significant resources and the way we’re going to spend that money doesn’t change because we’re going to run a very, very aggressive campaign,” said Bloomberg campaign manager Bradley Tusk. “What changes is the look and the feel of what we’re doing.”

In his new ads, the mayor forgoes his usual suit-and-tie look and is seen chatting with everyday voters. His first wave of mailings includes notes handwritten by supporters. The Bloomberg campaign is also going door-to-door to share its plan to revive the economy, Tusk said.

But while Bloomberg has dialed down the glitz in his quest for a third term, opponent Bill Thompson’s campaign insists it is more humble at heart.

City Comptroller Bill Thompson is running for mayor as a Democrat.

Working with less

“He’ll [Bloomberg] be spending billions of dollars to buy votes, and we’ll be working twice as hard to earn them,” said Eduardo Castell, campaign manager for Thompson, the city comptroller and a Democratic candidate.

Bloomberg, worth $16 billion and running on the Republican line, is a contrast to Thompson, “a neighborhood guy who understands working class people’s needs,” Castell said. Thompson campaign had raised $5 million as of Thursday, Castell said.

“I’d be hard-pressed to criticize Bill Thompson if he broke the [spending] limit because he’s facing a high-spending opponent,” admitted Gene Russianoff, a senior lawyer for NYPIRG, which ordinarily discourages excessive campaign spending.

Two other mayoral candidates likely won’t have that option as a luxury.

“I’m just getting along with the small $10, $20, $50 donations from New Yorkers,” said Councilman Tony Avella, a Democratic candidate for mayor.

The Rev. Billy Talen, the Green Party candidate, concurred that both he and Avella were the true grassroots contenders but conceded Bloomberg’s cash wouldn’t necessarily turn off voters.

Former Mayor Ed Koch agreed that spending may be moot in the end: “What candidates say about their vision for New York and their vision of how to increase jobs is paramount.”

Obama chicken remains despite bashing by Bloomberg

Wednesday April 8, 2009 2:07 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The Obama Fried Chicken flap has become a cockfight.

The management of the Brownsville chicken joint doggedly refuses to change the restaurant’s name, despite mounting criticism, the latest coming from Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“We are standing firm,” said manager Mohammad Jabbar, as orders piled up for wings and fries yesterday. “So many customers are telling us not to change this, so what can we do?”

But activists say that the name is degrading to blacks, and the owner should switch it to Popular Fried Chicken, as he promised to last week.

“You’d think they could find a more appropriate name,” said Bloomberg, during a Bronx news conference yesterday about new environmental jobs in the city.Meanwhile, a White House spokeswoman reiterated that they have a longstanding policy discouraging the use of the president’s name by commercial establishments.

Obama gimmicks continue to surface, however. New York drugstores are in talks to carry a special edition Chia Obama pet that features a furry green Afro, according to reports. It has already been taken off shelves in Chicago and Tampa after some said they considered it racist.

On Saturday, activists plan to hold a second protest outside Obama Fried Chicken. The first demonstration was held Monday.

“This is not something that is going to go away lightly,” said Kevin McCall, head of Brooklyn East New York Crisis Team, an advocacy group that organized the protests.

Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer blames personal 'gremlins' for call girl scandal

Monday April 6, 2009 2:30 PM By Jason Fink

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer in a file photo. AP

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer Monday came up with a new explanation for the prostitution scandal that forced him out of office: It was the gremlins!

Discussing his propensity for high-priced hookers in detail for the first time, Spitzer told Matt Lauer on the “Today” show: “I have tried to address these gremlins and confront them.”

Of course, “Gremlins” were the cunning critters brought to life in the 1984 sci-fi hit by the same name -- the former state attorney general probably meant to say demons. Spitzer, who is focused on rehabilitating his public image, gave his first live TV interview since leaving the governorship in disgrace in March 2008.“Most of us, I suppose, I won't speak for anybody else, have flaws,” a stone-faced Spitzer said. “What I did was an egregious violation of trust to my family, to colleagues, to the state. I've paid a price and appropriately so.”

While Spitzer acknowledged the pain caused by his dalliances, he also sought to downplay the role they played in his life.

Asked by Lauer to give a “ballpark” of how often and for how long he patronized prostitutes, Spitzer responded: “Not frequently.”

“Not long, in the grand context of my life,” he said.

That account may be at odds with reports that surfaced last year in the wake of his resignation, when Spitzer was identified as “Client 9” during a federal investigation of the Emperors Club VIP.

Spitzer was never charged criminally in the case.

Published reports at the time, citing investigators, said Spitzer might have spent up to $80,000 on hookers over a number of years.

Kristin Davis, a former madam who has penned a book about her years in the business and has said Spitzer was a client, wrote that the former governor and attorney general was “good for a call at least once a week” from 2004 to 2006.

On her blog, Davis lashed out at Spitzer.

“You are a hypocrite and a liar,” she wrote.

In an email Monday, she added: “People like him are what we call hobbyists.”

Spitzer’s gradual return to the public stage has included writing a column for the online magazine Slate, speaking out about the financial crisis, and touting his record of cracking down on corporate misdeeds.

He said Monday he regrets that he is no longer in a position of power.

“I grieve first at the cost to my family and to colleagues,” he said. “Sure, I say to myself what I hoped to do was contribute in some small way. Not to be able to participate is painful.”

Manhattan psychiatrist David Salvage said it appears Spitzer is trying to regain some semblance of his former self.

“Remaining active in public life, he is trying to help burnish a legacy,” Salvage said.

Owner stands by Obama chicken

Monday April 6, 2009 2:08 PM By Heather Haddon

By Heather Haddon

The management of Obama Fried Chicken is refusing to kowtow to demands that the Brooklyn restaurant drop the controversial name.

“We are not changing the sign,” said Mohammad Jabbar, the manager of the Brownsville chicken joint. “Everyone is coming and saying they love the sign.”

But a small group of black activists, including the Rev. Al Sharpton and Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn), protested outside the restaurant Monday afternoon, saying the name smacks of racism. They are pressuring the owner to change the name to Popular Fried Chicken, as he promised to do last week.

“He is playing games,” said Kevin McCall, head of Brooklyn East New York Crisis Team, an advocacy group that organized the protest. “Just take down the sign.”

Jabbar said the sign cost thousands to make and install, and it has brought them business.

A White House spokeswoman said they frown on the use of a president's name for advertising.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg wins backing of Independence Party

Sunday April 5, 2009 3:13 PM By Jason Fink

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. AP photo

By Jason Fink

Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s name will be at least one of the first three on the November ballot, after getting the nod Sunday from the Independence Party.

Bloomberg, who is not affiliated with a political party, is also trying to get the Republican line.

“I’ve never believed any party has a monopoly on truth or good ideas,” Bloomberg told a meeting of the Independence Party’s executive committees at a midtown hotel.New York City allows candidates to run on more than one ballot line and Bloomberg, who twice ran as a Republican, also received the Independence Party’s backing in his first two elections. The ballot will list the Democratic, Republican and Independence nominees left to right.

A lifelong Democrat, Bloomberg switched to the GOP before running for mayor in 2001 and then became an independent last year while reportedly mulling a presidential run.

The Independence Party, which has 106,000 members in the city, champions non-partisan elections. Bloomberg led an unsuccessful drive to eliminate partisan elections in the city in 2003.

Though he stopped short yesterday of promising another ballot initiative, he reaffirmed his support for the issue.

After a closed door question-and-answer session with Bloomberg, a spokeswoman for the Independence Party, Jacqueline Salit, said there had been discussions with the billionaire mayor about financial support for the party but did not offer details.

Bloomberg has won the backing of the Staten Island and Brooklyn Republican parties and needs one more to appear on that line.

The Manhattan GOP will vote May 6 on whether to support him.

Protesters to roast Obama Fried Chicken

Sunday April 5, 2009 2:34 PM By Heather Haddon

(Jefferson Siegel)

By Heather Haddon

Protesters intend to rally outside a Brooklyn fried chicken restaurant Monday afternoon that uses Obama in its name, a gimmick they say reeks of racism.

As of Sunday night, Obama Fried Chicken in Brownsville had not swapped its name to Popular Fried Chicken as it promised to do in response to community pressure, said Kevin McCall, head of Brooklyn East New York Crisis Team, an advocacy group.

“Black people have been connected to fried chicken for years,” McCall said. “We’re going to be out there in numbers.”

The restaurant’s owner could not be reached for comment Sunday. Last week, the store’s manager said the proprietor was an Obama supporter, but would change the name by Sunday.The White House discourages the use of a president’s name for advertising, said Moira Mack, a spokeswoman.

Rev. Al Sharpton, Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn) are among those slated to attend the protest, McCall said.

Obama chicken: point of pride, or big disrespect?

Thursday April 2, 2009 3:39 PM By Heather Haddon

BY Heather Haddon and Marlene Naanes

Obama posters. Obama T-shirts. But Obama fried chicken?

At least three city eateries have adopted President Barak Obama’s name to hock chicken nuggets and wings, leaving black leaders livid.

“It’s exploitative,” said Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn), who is planning a protest outside Obama Fried Chicken restaurant Monday if its green awning is not removed. “It's like saying Obama is a watermelon lover.”

In addition to the Brownsville restaurant, a Harlem chicken shop changed the wording on its red awning from Kennedy Fried Chicken to Obama Fried Chicken & Pizza.

And you hear the name “Obama’s” if you call up a Crown Heights restaurant now named Obama Flavor Caribbean Soul Food.

“Our president is a great person,” said Mohammad Jabbar, manager of the Brownsville chicken joint. “So many people encouraged us to use this name.”Obama’s popularity has inspired a flurry of questionable marketing gimmicks — from presidential thongs to “Yes We Can” perfume.

But the government doesn’t always laugh along. Just before election day, the feds ruled that Sixpoint Craft Ales in Brooklyn had no right to dispense its Hop Obama draft because doing so violated certain alcohol sales rules, according to reports.

A restaurant, though, doesn’t need permission to use Obama’s name, unless they want a federal trademark, said Cynthia Lynch, an administrator for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The White House did not return a call for comment. And owners of the Harlem and Crown Heights restaurants could not be reached.

Cherise TrahanMiller, director of the Ashay Media Group in downtown Brooklyn, said the eatery owners used smart marketing tactics. “There is an opportunity to cash in on a name that has a lot of momentum,” she said.

For some, the use of the president’s name is a point of pride.

“I liked it even better when I saw the name change,” Tarik White, 16, said outside the Brownsville restaurant. “It is showing respect (to have) Obama’s name in the community.”

But Dennise Green, of Harlem, had a completely opposite take.

“It’s offensive,” said Green, 50. “It’s saying that black people always eat a lot of fried food.”

Jabbar said the owners will remove the Obama awning and reinvent themselves as “Popular Fried Chicken” by Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Harlem chicken shop opted for the cheaper way out. This week, they peeled off a couple of letters from the president’s name to become Bam Fried Chicken.

Obama heads to Europe for G-20

Tuesday March 31, 2009 4:44 PM By Emily Ngo

By Emily Ngo

President Barack Obama stepped onto the global stage yesterday, landing in London to help coordinate an international response to the wide-reaching economic crisis.

In his first trip overseas as president, Obama faces a chilly reception by some world leaders who blame Wall Street’s role in the recession and disapprove of U.S. policies for fighting it. Others, however, will welcome his celebrity and diplomacy, especially following the Bush administration.

“We’re gathering the G-20 at a time of the most severe economic crisis in generations,” said Michael Froman, deputy national security adviser for international economics. “The stakes for this summit are very high."The G-20 — a meeting of the world’s leading and fastest-developing economies — will attempt to balance stimulus spending with financial regulation. Obama and Gordon Brown, the British prime minister and host of the summit, are among those who promote government spending to jolt the economy, while some European powers, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, favor restraint in fear of inflation.

“Leaders meeting in London must supply the oxygen of confidence to today’s global economy,” Gordon said.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy emphasized that progress must be made at the daylong meeting that officially begins tomorrow. “We have to obtain results, there is no choice, the crisis is too serious to allow us to have a summit for nothing,” he said.

This week will also mark Obama’s first face-off with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev — who opposes U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Eastern Europe —and Chinese leader Hu Jintao, who wants alternatives to the U.S. dollar as the primary reserve currency.

The president’s eight-day, five-country visit will also take him to a NATO meeting in Strasbourg, France; an EU summit in Prague, Czech Republic; and to Turkey, the first visit of his presidency to a Muslim nation. (With AP and The Washington Post)

Mayor Mike opens shop in all five boroughs

Thursday March 26, 2009 3:50 PM By Emily Ngo

By Emily Ngo

Michael Bloomberg is expanding his mayoral campaign this weekend as his re-election team opens five campaign offices — one in each borough.

Bloomberg, running as an independent candidate, is still hoping for a spot on the Republican ballot in his quest for a third term, which required the controversial overturning of term limits.

The campaign of city Comptroller Bill Thompson, the billionaire mayor’s likely Democratic opponent in the November race, has an office now open at 321 Broadway, Floor 6. A representative for Thompson on Thursday sidestepped questions on whether the team will introduce branches in the outer boroughs, saying only, “We expect to have support from every neighborhood across the city.”The Bloomberg campaign is inviting voters to stop by for informational meetings at its new offices. They are:

Queens: 116-49 Queens Boulevard, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Bronx: 2542A White Plains Road, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Staten Island: 2205 Hylan Boulevard, Sunday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Manhattan: 111 W. 40th St., Floor 5, Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Brooklyn: 535 Atlantic Ave., Sunday, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Ex-madam: Spitzer bargained for call girl rates

Tuesday March 24, 2009 2:42 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

No matter what the transaction, former Gov. Eliot Spitzer is apparently a tough negotiator.

The infamously hard-charging pol, who resigned last year in a prostitution scandal, used skills that served him well as governor and a top prosecutor to get lower rates for call girls, according to an ex-madam who claims he was a client.

“He was one of my more consistent bargainers,” said Kristin Davis, who ran a high-priced prostitution ring in Manhattan.

Davis, 32, who is hawking a book about her years running the $5 million business, said Spitzer, a regular customer when he was governor and attorney general, would pay $800 to $1,200 an hour for dates, the lower end of the scale, which went up to $2,500.

In her book, which is available on Davis’ Web site and excerpted in the April issue of Penthouse magazine, Davis said Spitzer, who called himself James, was “too aggressive” in trying to avoid using condoms, prompting complaints and a 2006 ban.

“He’d be a real weasel about it, too,” Davis wrote. “After the begging, pleading, and commanding didn’t work, James would pretend to relent, only to change to another approach.”When she confronted him, Davis recalled yesterday in a phone interview, he lost his temper. “He started yelling at me, and I said that’s the kind of aggression I’m talking about,” she said.

After he was blacklisted, Spitzer booked dates under a different false name, Davis said.

A message left yesterday at Spitzer’s office was not returned. He resigned in March 2008 after it was revealed in court documents that he was “Client No. 9” for a different high-priced hooker ring.

Davis, who once worked as a call girl for Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss, was arrested last year and spent 3½ months in prison.

She is expected to decide soon what to do with the reported 10,000 names on her client list. The roster, she said, includes prime ministers, Middle Eastern royalty, pro athletes, titans of Wall Street and the governor of an East Coast state that is not New York.

Reports last week linked Davis to Yankees star Alex Rodriguez. She would not comment on A-Rod yesterday, saying only “there has been some involvement on a personal and professional level.”

Schumer, in reversal, backs gay marriage

Monday March 23, 2009 1:47 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Sen. Charles Schumer said Monday he supports same-sex marriage and called for a repeal of the federal ban.

It was a reversal for Schumer (D-N.Y.), who as a congressman in 1996 voted in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act.

“It’s time,” Schumer said in a statement. “Equality is something that has always been at the hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it.”Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Democratic Gov. David Paterson also back gay marriage, as does Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Schumer did not say if he would introduce legislation to overturn the ban.

He revealed the change in his position to gay rights advocates Sunday night following a meeting in Manhattan.

“We look forward to working with him to win marriage equality in New York state and around the country,” said Alan Van Capelle, executive director of Empire State Pride Agenda.

With Democrats controlling in Albany, supporters have expressed hope that the state would legalize gay marriage but no bill has been introduced and many political observers say there are not enough votes in the state Senate.

Old Navy SuperModelquin eerily similar to Michelle Obama

Monday March 23, 2009 7:29 AM By Emily Ngo

The Old Navy SuperModelquins are an odd advertising campaign, yes. It's odder still that one of the characters, which the company aptly named Michelle, looks conspicuously like first lady Michelle Obama. Yes?

— Emily Ngo

Old Navy

Dinkins, Ferrer, back Weprin for comptroller

Sunday March 22, 2009 12:57 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

In one of the first major endorsements of the election season, former Mayor David Dinkins and former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer Sunday backed City Councilman David Weprin for comptroller.

“I’m an elder statesman, with the emphasis on elder,” joked Dinkins, 81, in discussing his decision to wade into a primary race in a citywide election.

Weprin (D-Hollis) is facing fellow council members Melinda Katz, John Liu and David Yassky in the Democratic primary in September.Neither Dinkins, the city’s only African-American mayor, nor Ferrer, who was the Democratic nominee for mayor in 2005, would say if they will make endorsements in other citywide races. They will serve as co-chairs of Weprin’s campaign.

“When David Dinkins decides to make an endorsement this early in the race, it’s remarkable,” Ferrer said.

Weprin said he had been seeking Dinkins endorsement for about six months.

“The Latino vote and the African-American vote are key votes in the Democratic primary,” Weprin said.

Former Mayor Ed Koch, who lost the primary to Dinkins in 1989, said Weprin would benefit from the support.

“These are people whose names are still relevant in politics and who have a cache,” Koch said.

Dem candidate pulls back on mayoral race

Wednesday March 11, 2009 3:12 PM By Jason Fink

Rep. Anthony Weiner. AP photo.

By Jason Fink

Rep. Anthony Weiner, one of the top two Democrats vying for mayor, pulled back Wednesday on his campaign.

In a letter to supporters, Weiner (D-Brooklyn/Queens), who was expected to face City Comptroller William Thompson in the September primary, said he will reassess the race this summer, an apparent about-face for the congressman who declared as recently as Monday: “I’m running for mayor.”

A senior campaign advisor, who asked not to be named, said that Weiner wanted to focus on his job in Washington and sent the letter because of speculation in the media that he would drop out.“I expect you’ll see a formal decision in the next few months,” the advisor said.

The Thompson campaign Wednesday took a shot at Weiner while re-affirming that the comptroller isn’t wavering about staying in the race.

“Bill Thompson doesn’t have to ‘look at the lay of the land’ in the summer to know that New York's working families need new leadership,” campaign manager Eddy Castell said in an e-mail.

The dynamics of the mayoral race were shaken up in the fall when Mayor Michael Bloomberg won the right to extend term limits and run for re-election, instantly making him the front-runner against whoever gets the Democratic nomination.

Weiner has so far raised more than $5 million and has maxed out on fund-raising for the primary.

Besides Thompson, the other Democratic candidate expected to run in September is City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside).

City Comptroller race becomes a little more crowded

Sunday March 8, 2009 2:29 PM By Marlene Naanes

BY MARLENE NAANES

Another member of the City Council joined the increasingly-crowded city Comptroller race yesterday, rounding out the pool of official candidates to four.

Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) announced his candidacy on the City Hall steps with a wall of supporters chanting behind him. His candidacy announcement noted the historic significance of being the first Asian American to run for citywide office.

“I’m going to be that independent watchdog for our city’s finances,” said Liu, who before being elected to the City Council in 2001, was a PriceWaterhouseCoopers manager. “I’m going to be a pit bull.”

Liu joins fellow council members Melinda Katz (D-Forest Hills), David Weprin (D-Hollis/Jamaica) and David Yassky (D-Brooklyn) in the running for the city’s chief financial officer. Liu had been vying to be Public Advocate, and a spokeswoman for his campaign said the switch had more to do with wanting to help the city through the tough economy than the highly-contested advocate race, which includes former Public Advocate Mark Green.“In this difficult time, he’s ready and willing to step up to advocate for all [NEW YORKERS]... it doesn’t change with the office,” said the spokeswoman, Chung Seto.

Current comptroller, Bill Thompson, said he will not seek re-election and has chosen instead to run for mayor.

Some of Liu’s competitors zeroed in on the candidacy shift yesterday, including the Katz campaign, which said the city’s chief financial officer post is the councilman’s second choice.

“I look forward to speaking with communities in all corners of the city to demonstrate why I’m the best candidate for this critical office, which has always been — and will continue to be — my first choice,” said Katz, who also worked as a business and securities attorney.

Yassky, who was also a corporate attorney, said the outcome of the comptroller’s race will be important to the city during the next decade.

Meanwhile, Weprin said Liu joining the race does not affect him.

“I’ve been running for controller for the last four years,” said Weprin, who has worked in the banking and financial services industry.

Andrew Breiner contributed to this report.

GOP circus: The search for the new face of the Republican Party

Wednesday March 4, 2009 4:02 PM By Emily Ngo

By Emily Ngo

They have a common opponent settled into the White House.

They have a common goal of winning back a Congressional majority.

But rather than battling to regain ground lost to President Barack Obama and the Democrats, the fractured Republican Party is fighting … itself.

“They’re beyond divisions,” said Scott Levenson, president of the Advance Group, a Democratic consulting firm. “They have crevices the size of the Grand Canyon in the Republican Party that begin and end with the fact that they do not stand for anything.”

And with the 2010 midterm elections looming, experts agree that they need to get their act together soon.

“One part of the Republican Party says we should go back to our basics, government is bad. Another part thinks no, we’ve really got to rethink the message,” said James Morone, a political science professor at Brown University. “And all Republicans have to decide where they stand on the continuum.”

Many conservatives are doing just that, but not without infighting. The very public barbs exchanged between veteran talk show host Rush Limbaugh and newly minted Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has highlighted just one disparity in visions for the party.

Steele — the committee’s first black leader — tagged Limbaugh “incendiary” and “an entertainer.” He later apologized, but Limbaugh had first suggested Steele should quit and slammed the GOP’s “sad-sack state.”

Steele’s stock plummeted in the same way that Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s star dimmed after his widely panned response to Obama’s State of the Union-style speech.

No clear leader or plan has emerged to redefine and reunite the red team, experts said. If anything, the Republicans have made themselves more vulnerable to Democrats, who claim their strategy is to promote the divisive Limbaugh as the face of the GOP.

“There are people out there like Bobby Jindal, like Newt Gingrich, like Sarah Palin,” said Fordham University political science professor Costas Panagopoulos, “but what they’re doing collectively is far more important than what they’re doing individually.”

With the country’s tenor hovering at center-right, most political experts are advising a moderate and centrist path for the GOP.

“The numbers are such that it remains difficult for the GOP to drift to the right,” Panagopoulos said.

Some Republicans, however, promote a return to the party’s far-right roots, where Limbaugh is king.

“Rush will be here after Palin, after Steele, after Jindal,” said Karol Sheinin, of the right-wing blog Alarming News, adding the talk show host doesn’t alienate conservatives the way even former President George W. Bush did. “He will be here forever. … I think he wins at the end of all of this.”

Reverend Billy: Watch out, Mike, I'm coming for your job

Sunday March 1, 2009 3:15 PM By Ryan Chatelain

"Reverend Billy" Talen appears at a public hearing in Coney Island in July. (Photo by Getty)

By Ryan Chatelain

Critics may argue that politics is already full of showmen. “Reverend Billy” Talen is OK with that label.

Dressed in a royal blue suit and clerical collar, Talen, known for combining community activism and theater, colorfully jumped into the mayoral race yesterday as the Green Party candidate. At a Union Square rally, dozens listened as he denounced Mayor Michael Bloomberg as an executive who is running the city as a corporation that is too focused on tourism, Wall Street and real estate.

“The trouble is, Mike, those are all bubble economies that are extremely down at this point,” Talen said. “They have been attacking our neighborhoods. However, the neighborhoods that stayed away from Mike’s bubble economies are strong.”An e-mail yesterday to Howard Wolfson, Bloomberg’s campaign spokesman, received no response by press time.

Talen, 56, earned his reputation over the past two decades as a community activist who has taken on consumerism, most namely the Times Square Disney Store and Wal-Mart. He was featured in the 2007 Morgan Spurlock documentary “What Would Jesus Buy?” — about the commercialism of Christmas.

Reverend Billy is the leader of an activist performance group named the Church of Life After Shopping, which has been known to perform exorcisms at Starbucks stores.

Voters will likely question how seriously they can take a mayoral candidate who has a stage name and a costume. Nevertheless, Talen earned the endorsement of city Green Party leaders.

“We agree there’s a tradition of folk heroes running for office — Norman Mailer, Jimmy Breslin — and that’s how we look at Reverend Billy Talen,” said Gloria Mattera, Green Party spokeswoman. “His work, his commitment is completely in sync with the Green Party’s platform.”

Before he appears on the ballot, Talen must raise $250,000 in matching campaign finance funds and collect 7,500 signatures from registered voters.

Obama makes speech tonight; bipartisan efforts scrutinized

Tuesday February 24, 2009 8:11 AM By Emily Ngo

By Emily Ngo

President Barack Obama tonight delivers his first address to a joint session of Congress, where Republicans are wondering whether his bipartisan efforts will help dig the country out of its deepening recession.

The televised, State of the Union-style speech will tackle “the economy, the economy, the economy, because that’s what’s on people’s minds,” said political consultant Hank Sheinkopf. “He sees the economy as almost a wartime issue, and he’s the commander in chief for the economy.”

Obama’s momentum and his 63 percent approval rating are tied to public confidence in his $787 billion economic stimulus, experts said. His toughest task is to reassure Americans his measures will work.

“A lot of it is still psychological; a lot of the public thinks it’s not worth it,” said Joseph Mercurio, a New York-based political consultant. “It’s a hard sell.”

Especially to conservatives, the administration’s harshest critics and most essential allies.The stimulus package passed in the House with no Republican support.

Several GOP governors, including South Carolina’s Mark Sanford and Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal, said they might reject part of the stimulus funds. The plan wastes money and could ultimately hurt more than help, they insisted. (Others, like Florida’s Charlie Crist and California’s Arnold Schwarzenegger, said they would support the president.)

“It would be like spending a dollar to make a dime,” Jindal said on “Meet the Press.”

Earlier this month, New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg, who was to be a Republican addition to the Cabinet, dropped his bid for Commerce secretary over irreconcilable differences. Additionally, the Republican National Committee has issued a statement saying the Obama’s first month was about “wasteful spending, failed bipartisanship and questionable ethics.”

“This bipartisan thing is not working out so well,” said Kevin Wardally, a government affairs expert with Bill Lynch Associates. “I don’t think he needs to go overboard, but it’s great that he believes it’s a realistic goal.”

James Morone, an authority on bipartisan relations at Brown University, also questions the success of Obama’s olive branch, but said the president is expected to reiterate his message of cooperation tonight.

“He’ll say, ‘Let’s begin by being respectful and why don’t you come to me with your ideas, but don’t give me the same old ideas you had for George Bush,’ ” said Morone, author of “Hellfire Nation.”

Experts said they expect no surprise announcements in tonight’s address, which begins at 9 p.m., but said health care reform and fighting in Afghanistan will also likely be mentioned, experts said.

On Thursday, Obama will outline his first budget as president. He wants to halve the $1.3 trillion deficit by the end of his first term, and will scale back Iraq war spending and increase taxes on the nation’s wealthiest, experts said.

For goals this ambitious, Obama will need the support of Republicans – and not just the few votes required to break Senate filibuster. Experts predict his attempts at bringing the parties together are only beginning.

“If you’re trying to flip the page, like Reagan did, like Roosevelt did,” Morone said. “You have to appear above partisanship and make it part of something that’s patriotic.”

Jindal is scheduled to rebut Obama’s address tonight on behalf of the Republicans.

'Racist' cartoon angers New Yorkers

Wednesday February 18, 2009 1:54 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

Angry New Yorkers yesterday called for a boycott of The New York Post, the firing of the paper’s editor and cartoonist and even a criminal investigation into an editorial cartoon they considered racist.

The cartoon shows two police officers who just shot dead a chimpanzee saying “They’ll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill.” A chimp was shot dead in Connecticut after attacking a woman Monday, and President Barack Obama signed off on the economic stimulus bill Tuesday. The cartoon led some to infer that the chimp represented the president.

“This is nothing more than a sick racist mind at work. … Not only should the editor be fired, but there should be a front-page apology to the president of the United States who you have characterized as a primate,” Councilwoman Letitia James (D-Brooklyn) said at a protest of about 25 people outside the Post’s headquarters yesterday. “You not only have offended people of color, you have offended millions of people who voted for the president of the United States.”

The elected officials will also have a noon protest today in front of the newspaper, and some are calling for a U.S. Department of Justice Investigation, saying the cartoon went beyond just racism and depicted the president’s assassination.“I’m insulted, and I’m very upset,” said Stephanie Woods, 42, of Coop City. “[The cartoon is] not funny — it’s very offensive. It’s a very tragic story with the monkey. I’m upset on both ends.”

The New York Post’s editor-in-chief, Col Allan, said the cartoon was a parody of the chimpanzee’s shooting while criticizing the stimulus bill.

“It broadly mocks Washington’s efforts to revive the economy,” Allan said.

The cartoonist, Sean Delonas, has drawn controversial depictions before, once overemphasizing the size of The Rev. Al Sharpton’s rear-end and another time commenting on same-sex marriage with an image of a man and a sheep donning a bridal veil. Sharpton and his National Action Network, along with many other black groups, denounced the cartoon.

Cartoonist Ted Rall, a syndicated editorial cartoonist for Universal Press Syndicate and Association of American Editorial Cartoonists President, said he does not believe Delonas, who he does not know, meant to be racist. He used a common ploy of combining two big news stories into one cartoon, however, he noted a cartoonist tries to avoid using stereotypical caricatures of minorities.

“Normally you end up with a dumb joke — in this case it’s racially insensitive,” Rall said of the technique.

Rall added that it is an editors’ job to reign in their cartoonist.

Free speech advocates noted that the flap ironically may invigorate the First Amendment, the whole purpose of which is to invite, dispute and exchange views.

"Newspapers shouldn't be timid,” said Ronald Collins, of the First Amendment Center in Washington, D.C. “That defeats the purpose of having editorial cartoons. On the other hand, if they can dish it out, they should be able to accept it. ... They'd better be ready to put on their flak jackets."

Emily Ngo contributed to this report.

Bloomberg's super-styling Web site

Wednesday February 18, 2009 9:03 AM By Emily Ngo

Mayor Bloomberg, with an eye fixed on more mayor-time, has a Flash-y and styling new campaign Web site. He's also looking for an volunteer or two.

— Emily Ngo

Viral video: Obama beat box

Monday February 16, 2009 8:48 AM By Sean Joseph

Here’s a version of Obama’s inauguration speech you haven’t heard before: beat-box style.

Paterson getting hammered over Senate debacle

Tuesday January 27, 2009 2:08 PM By Jason Fink

Gov. David Paterson. AP photo

By Jason Fink

If Gov. David Paterson ever had a honeymoon, it is now surely over.

After a series of missteps over the selection of the next senator that included anonymous and contradictory leaks about Caroline Kennedy, public wavering over the choice and a confusing and secretive process, Paterson has come under withering attack.

“We saw an unseemly spectacle of the selection of a U.S. senator,” said state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), who accused Paterson of not being truthful, citing the Kennedy debacle and Paterson sending conflicting signals to state pols over the budget and a property tax bill. “I'm not going to call him Pinocchio but . . . "

At a news conference in Albany today, the governor was hammered by reporters over his denial about the Kennedy leak.

He acknowledged “confusing the process” in the days before he settled on Kirsten Gillibrand for the senate.

“I would have acted differently,” he said. “There have been several rumors, negative characterizations, malicious remarks made about people . . . including myself and I condemn all of the rumors.”When he came into office in March, Paterson instantly became tabloid fodder when he admitted extramarital affairs and youthful drug use. Last month, he unveiled a budget proposal that included 137 new or increased taxes and fees.

But he weathered those storms, coming in for the harshest treatment only after the senate seat saga.

“In an era that that’s supposed to be about openness, to see the governor of New York do a worse job of selecting a senator than Blago is hilarious,” said Kevin Williams, 36, of Manhattan, referring to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is accused of trying to sell an open senate seat.

Craig Tobias, 52, of Kew Gardens, called the process “self-serving and disingenuous.”

Pinocchio is what The New York Post called Paterson today, running a photo of him with a long cartoon nose. In an editorial, the Post even pined for the return of Paterson’s successor, Eliot Spitzer, who resigned in disgrace over a prostitution scandal.

Helen Desfosses, a professor of public policy at SUNY Albany, said the resignation in October of Paterson’s chief of staff, Charles O’Byrne, over failure to pay income taxes, created a leadership vacuum among aides that led to infighting and leaks.

“Paterson has been all drama,” she said.

Still, he has almost two full years until the election and she predicted he would recover.

“In politics one day you’re a hero and one day you’re not,” she said. “Just a few months ago he had very high approval ratings.”

(Newsday contributed to this story)

Blago's media blitz reveals a hero in his own minds, say experts

Tuesday January 27, 2009 5:55 AM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Embattled Illinois Go. Rod Blagojevich made a whirlwind tour of New York City yesterday, granting a slew of defiant media interviews even as lawmakers 800 miles away began his impeachment trial.

Blagojevich, who is accused in a federal indictment of trying to sell President Barack Obama’s old senate seat, blasted the impeachment proceedings and insistently defended himself to the women of “The View” as well as to Geraldo Rivera, Diane Sawyer and a slew of other TV personalities, leaving some to suggest the governor has developed an inflated sense of self.

He even had an exchange with former Mayor Ed Koch at Jean-Georges restaurant near Columbus Circle.

Koch called Blagojevich “bizarre but likable” and expressed surprise at how brazen the Democratic governor has been.

“Nobody that I have ever seen, who is charged with activity that is impeachable, has ever acted the way he has,” Koch said. “He’s giving the authorities the middle finger.”

In interviews in recent days, Blagojevich portrayed the impeachment as an effort to thwart his mission to improve health care for cancer patients, provide free buses to senior citizens and keep taxes low. He compared his arrest to the experiences of Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The heart and soul of this is me against the system,” he said Friday.Blagojevich also compared his situation to a character in an old Western who was told he would get a fair trial and then be hanged.

“I’m fighting this to the very end for something that’s larger than me,” Blagojevich said on “The View.”

Experts say the reaction smacks of narcissism.

“When a person who is narcissistic is highly stressed, they may unravel and you see the most primitive part of their psychic make up,” said Gail Saltz, a psychiatry professor at New York Presbyterian Hospital. “It’s never my fault, it’s someone else’s fault. It’s not a very mature defense.”

Randall Richardson-Vejlgaard, a Manhattan psychologist, said the governor seems to have “a strong belief in his own specialness.”

“He has a sense of grandiosity, a sense of entitlement,” Richardson-Vejlgaard said. “There’s actually published research showing that people who choose politics as a career tend to have these characteristics.”

On “The View,” where Blagojevich revealed that he considered Oprah Winfrey for Obama’s seat, co-host Whoopie Goldberg suggested the stubborn defiance may not help the governor.

“I wonder if you’re not hurting yourself more than helping yourself,” she said. “It looks like maybe people are not taking you seriously.”

30 years ago tonight: Nelson Rockefeller dies -- and a tabloid frenzy ensues

Sunday January 25, 2009 7:18 PM By Rolando Pujol

On this edition of "Eyewitness News," John Johnson reported that the former governor had died at his office in Rockefeller Center. But there was a lot more to the story. (Via realagentofSHIELD on YouTube)

Thirty years ago Monday tonight, former New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller died of a heart attack in Manhattan at the age of 70. The initial reports had the governor passing away at his office in Rockefeller Center, toiling away on a book about his modern art collection, one of Rocky's passions. But indeed, that was not the whole story. As the days progressed, a far more complicated and lurid picture emerged of the former vice president's final hours.

It turns out Rockefeller was not at his namesake building at all, but at his townhouse a few blocks up at 13 W. 54th St. And he was in the company of a young aide, 25-year-old Megan Marshack, when he was stricken. The tabloids had a field day with the death of the Standard Oil scion, with the story's elements of infidelity, indiscretion and cover-up. Disturbingly, help for the stricken governor was not called for up to an hour after his attack, and the details of the case proved too irresistible for "Saturday Night Live." A sketch that aired on Feb. 10, 1979 began with Don Pardo intoning: "'Emergency' starring Megan Marshack will not be seen tonight so that we may bring you this special presentation."

The story of Rockefeller's death is now steeped in city and political lore. Today, we present how New Yorkers found out about his death on the next day's edition of "Eyewitness News," with John Johnson and Anna Bond at the anchor desk. It's a remarkable report for its depth of coverage, and a very literate obituary by Roger Sharp. Ernie Anastos narrates dramatic footage of Rockefeller's arrival at the hospital, and there are shots of Rocky's wife, "Happy," arriving on the scene later. Click below for a look at where the story stood before its tabloid elements began to emerge, when the greatest blot on Rockefeller's reputation was still described as his handling of the Attica prison riot in 1971.

-- Rolando Pujol

NY pols to geese: Your days are numbered

Sunday January 25, 2009 10:40 AM By Jason Fink

The war on geese continues.

Several elected officials today called on the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to implement what they call a "geese reduction pilot plan" that includes shooting the birds out of the sky and putting oil on unhatched eggs, which, apparently, will prevent the baby geese from hatching.

Canada Geese have been a popular target lately - the New York Post literally put one of them inside the crosshairs to illustrate a recent front-page editorial - because of their role in bringing down the US Airways jet that landed, safely, in the Hudson River.

“This program would be the first of its kind in the city to devote measurable resources and highly trained personnel to humanely reduce the number of geese in the vicinity of the city's airports,” Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis), said in a pepared statement.

He was joined in calling for the geese reduction program by state Sens. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) and Hiram Monserratte (D-Corona).

It has been reported that "bird strikes" such as the one suspected of bringing down flight 1549 are more common than many previously realized. Left unanswered, at least to this point, is why this particular bird strike proved so damaging.

It was revealed last week that the plane experienced an engine compressor failure two days earlier. There has been no indication that the previous problem is related to the accident but the National Transportation Safety Board is expected to take about a year to finish its investigation.

Obama's first 100 days will bring massive spending, experts say

Wednesday January 21, 2009 12:17 PM By Jason Fink

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden during their first full day in office today. AP photo

By Jason Fink

During the campaign, President Barack Obama talked about using a scalpel to shape the federal budget, but he will spend his first 100 days in the White House wielding a nearly $1 trillion sledgehammer.

Obama will begin his tenure shepherding a massive economic stimulus bill through Congress and will then spend the money on everything from expanded health care to wind farms to aid for college tuition, experts say.

There may also be more bailouts, perhaps for the agricultural industry, said Steve Clemons, a director at the New America Foundation and a former Democratic strategist.

“He’s going to essentially be like FDR was and nationalize significant parts of the economy,” Clemons said. “You’re going to see emergency edicts coming out of Washington every day.”

Clemons, who said he is in regular contact with Obama officials, predicted a slew of new federal loan guarantees for homes, individuals and businesses and more money for unemployment benefits and the COBRA health insurance program.

That is in addition to an immediate $150 million for so-called “shovel-ready” infrastructure projects.Just today, Obama ordered a freeze on salaries on about 100 White House staffers making more than $100,000.

On the foreign policy front, Obama is going to continue a draw down of troops in Iraq that Clemons said has already begun. He will also seek to normalize relations with Syria in exchange for concessions, said Clemons.

The economic crisis might force some of Obama’s priorities to the back-burner – repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the military, for example – but tucked into the stimulus bill will be other initiatives that might otherwise have been a hard sell, such as $87 billion in new Medicaid funding and $41 billion in additional school funding.

While there will be resistance, most expect the bill to pass with roughly $600 billion in new spending and $250 billion in tax cuts.

Michael Franc, vice president for government relations at the conservative Heritage Foundation, said Obama might also use the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases and widen eligibility for the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Then there’s the matter of the $350 billion left over from the last stimulus package, over which Obama has “nearly unlimited discretion,” said Jeffrey Kling, an economist at the Brookings Institute.

“Between those two (stimulus bills), that’s vastly more than most administrations accomplish in four years,” he said.

Viral video: Something for the red team

Wednesday January 21, 2009 8:18 AM By Sean Joseph

Barack Obama wasn’t the only candidate in the 2008 election. Make sure you don’t forget about John McCain and Sarah Palin by purchasing a commemorative plate and drinking glass. Both are made out of 100-percent non-recyclable materials.

Henican: One sacrifice Bam won’t make: Values

Tuesday January 20, 2009 3:47 PM By Ryan Chatelain

"I ... do solemnly swear” — to something or other.

That was Barack Obama, led astray by John Roberts.

You’d think the chief justice wouldn’t flub one of the most famous passages in the whole Constitution. Then again, Roberts’ ad-hoc editing of the presidential oath probably explains some things about this court’s casual disregard for the Geneva Convention and the Fourth Amendment.

Hey, they’re only words, right?It was a little weird, hearing the new president declare, “I, Barack Hussein Obama” twice. An “of” became a “to.” “Faithfully” jumped from one place to another. The verb “execute” was there — and then it wasn’t.

But yesterday’s linguistic Cuisinart will quickly be forgotten, and a more important reality will sink in: Yes, Barack Obama is now president, and he has change in his eyes.

Summoning forth the best of the American spirit. Steeling the nation for tough times ahead. Laying the outlines for a serious reassessment of how we interact with the rest of the world.

There were many memorable lines in the speech. But none packed more meaning — or signaled a greater break with the recent past — than this: “We reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.”

It was the Bush administration’s eagerness to sacrifice the latter for the former that explains much of the international mess we are in.

Winking at torture. Disrespecting diplomacy. Treating our allies like our servants. Acting as if our way is the only way for everybody else.

Since 9/11, fear for our safety has too often explained away our values, those precious beliefs that made us better than our enemies.

Loud and clear, on a chilly noon outside the Capitol, after a shaky Constitutional oath, Barack Obama made clear his break from this past.

Said the new president, finding truth in the struggles that got us here:

“Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.”

Goodbye, 43. Hello, 44.

Bush back home in Texas

Tuesday January 20, 2009 2:03 PM By Pete Catapano

by amNewYork staff

Tonight, George W. Bush is just another guy in Texas.

Unfazed by his unpopularity after eight erratic years in office, Bush exited his presidency today while wearing a smile and blowing a kiss as his limo left the White House.

Some in the crowd at Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony booed when large viewing screens showed the two-term Republican president arriving.

At one point, people cheered when they heard a broadcaster announce, “George Bush is no longer president of the United States.”

But it was quite a different story at his raucous homecoming in Midland, Texas last night.

A jovial Bush told the crowd how happy he was to return home, saying, “Laura and I may have left Texas, but Texas never left us.”

Recognizing that many of his decisions as president had been unpopular, Bush stressed that “every day I followed a set of principles.” He added that he was, “coming home with my head held high and a sense of accomplishment.”

(AP Photo)Earlier in the day, Bush and his wife, Laura, hosted Obama and his wife, Michelle, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, and lawmakers for coffee at the White House.

Keeping with a White House ritual, Bush left a note for Obama in his desk in the Oval Office, wishing him well as he takes the reins of power.

“I won’t provide any details, but the theme is similar to what he’s said since election night about the fabulous new chapter President-elect Obama is about to start,” Bush’s press secretary Dana Perino said.

After the inauguration, Bush quickly disappeared into a hangar for a private farewell speech to scores of former White House aides and supporters before boarding the plane to Texas. He was expected to arrive at his Crawford, Texas, ranch late last night.

Aside from relaxing, Bush said his future plans involve writing a book. “I’d like to be a part of making the real history of this administration come to life.”

Dick Cheney had the misfortune of attending the day’s events in a wheelchair. Cheney, 67, pulled a back muscle while moving boxes.

On NBC News, Tom Brokaw said Cheney had a “Dr. Strangelove”

appearance. (with AP)

The Speaker and the Boss

Tuesday January 20, 2009 12:15 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn had pretty good seats for seeing the inauguration of Barack Obama today, but she had a much closer view of another pop culture icon.

Quinn and her party showed up at 8 a.m. and so they got good seats within their section, she said today in a phone interview, but Bruce Springsteen, who was nearby, got there late and had to sit further from the middle.

"Whatever tickets you had, you had," said Quinn. "And if you got there late you had to sit off to the side. Bruce Springsteen got there late so he had to sit off to the side."

Alas, Quinn said she did not get a chance to talk to the Boss.

But she did gush about the experience of being in Washington for the swearing-in.

“It’s been incredibly exciting to be down here," she said. "It’s hard to capture the whole sense of the town this weekend, it’s just overwhelmed with folks. It was great."

She also gave Obama high marks for his speech: “I thought the speech was really terrific. This is a difficult moment to be president of the United States. I thought the president did a wonderful job of delivering a visionary as well as an inspirational speech."

NY pols flock to D.C. for historic swearing-in

Tuesday January 20, 2009 6:18 AM By Emily Ngo

By Emily Ngo

Councilman John Liu is understandably eager to attend Barack Obama’s inauguration today, but his 8-year-old son has a special reason to look forward to it.

“It’ll be the first time he has ever missed school,” said Liu (D-Queens). “He’s excited; the whole class is excited.”

Third-grader Joey, along with Liu’s wife Jenny, are among the loved ones joining New York politicians in Washington, D.C., for Obama’s historic swearing-in as the nation’s first black president.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who will be part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s inaugural entourage, is bringing partner Kim Catullo as her guest.

“This historic moment, for me, represents a sense of renewed hope and optimism,” Quinn said. “Barack Obama has shown that despite the obstacles we are faced with, we can overcome them.”

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has more official obligations than social ones today, but he’s looking forward to them all, said spokesman Joshua Vlasto. Schumer is to attend the Mid-Atlantic inaugural ball tonight at the D.C. Convention Center among other events, Vlasto said.Rep. Anthony Weiner, also in the capital, said the anticipation about Obama’s next four years is so high that he can physically feel it. “There is a palpable sense that the door of change has swung open,” said Weiner (D-Brooklyn/Queens). “I believe New Yorkers want problem solving, not politics.”

Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Manhattan/Queens) are among other New Yorkers expected to attend the inauguration.

In New York, however, hundreds are slated to pack City Hall to watch Obama’s moment via television. Interest in the event was so great that officials were forced to turn down guests. Liu, though he’ll be in Washington, is hosting a similar screening at Flushing Town Hall.

At Borough Hall in Brooklyn, Borough President Marty Markowitz will be watching history unfold with his constituents, said spokeswoman Laura Sinagra. State Sens. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) and Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Queens) also are staying in town to watch from familiar surroundings.

Some local lawmakers without a golden ticket to Inauguration Day may, in the end, have a better view of Obama than Liu.

“I’m in Row 56. I have no idea where that is, but I’m very excited,” the councilman said. “The country and indeed the world changed when Obama was elected.”

Crowds swell at City Hall for inauguration viewing

Tuesday January 20, 2009 5:57 AM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

About 1,000 people packed into City Hall this morning, jostling for seats to watch Barack Obama's inauguration on large screen TVs set up throughout the building.

Lines began forming well before the building opened to the public at 9:30 and those who showed up late were turned away, with city officials providing lists of other spots nearby where public viewing parties are being held.

Several people said they had never seen anything like it, as school children camped out on the first floor of the rotunda and overflow crowds milled around the second floor outside the council chambers, where chairs were set up to watch the festivities.

"It's a very historic event," said Preetha Chakravarti, of Brooklyn, a teacher at the all-grils Urban Assembly School for Criminal Justice, who brought 130 students to watch the inaugural. "We have a lot of children of immigrants who can relate to Barack Obama's background."

In addition to the council chambers, TVs were set up in the council committee room, the Red Room on the first floor and in the rotunda.

"It would have been nice to be in D.C. but this is the next best thing," said Calvin Patterson, 43, of Brooklyn.

New Yorkers express hopes, expectations for Obama presidency

Monday January 19, 2009 1:20 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Tomorrow's inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th president is among the most highly anticipated transfers of power in recent memory.

With people in New York and across the country struggling economically and two foreign wars raging, millions are looking to Washington for answers.

amNewYork asked New Yorkers to tell the incoming president what they hope

for, what they expect and what wishes they have for his administration.

“Barack should just be true to who he is and not get sucked into appeasing too many people but to really stand firm in what makes him the great man and person that he is. I am so looking forward to what he has planned for this nation for the big, broad stroke.”

Christopher Hibma, 35, Manhattan“I would say there are three main priorities I hope he has. One: Help get the leaders of the world speaking to each other to help create a peaceful world. Two: Focus on education, provide better resources to schools, recruit more teachers from different walks of life. Three: Help create more economic opportunities for people who are struggling.”

Jamie Hopper, 40, Upper West Side

“I’m really concerned about education, I’m really concerned about diplomacy. We need to find more peaceful solutions, make weaponry less accessible domestically and internationally. We need a return to healthy funding for education and more funding for the arts. Maybe a secretary of the arts.”

Tomashi Jackson, 27, Brooklyn

“I would hope that Barack Obama would make it so that insurance for my kid would not be so expensive. I want him to think of single parents. I hope he makes us a safer country so we don’t have to wake up with fear anymore. There should be more opportunities for civilians to learn emergency response training.”

Lucy Vazquez, 27, Manhattan

“I really just want to thank him for continuing this tradition of strong black men in this country, which is something that is rare these days, and I think he is a great influence for a lot of people who don’t have a strong black man in their lives personally.

Ronald Peet, 20, Manhattan

“A lot of people are going to be relying on him. What he needs to do is reach out more and actually get their help too. He can’t do this on his own.”

Sloane Taylor, 18, Manhattan

“The biggest thing on everybody’s mind now is fix the economy. A lot of people are losing their jobs so I want to see more hiring. If he could help out the MTA so they don’t have to raise fares to $3 that would be a good thing too.”

Michelle Mars, 42, Brooklyn

“Better employment, more jobs for people, better education. He should help people live better, make it a little easier so we don’t have to struggle so hard to pay rent. He should give better health care to more people. Even when you have health care, you can’t always get what you need. They don’t cover everything.”

Kim Maristany, 47, Harlem

“I hope that he asks everyone to make sacrifices as far as energy is concerned. I would hope that he would move us off fossil fuels and to more clean energy. Green jobs are also the way to fix the economy.”

John Sabia, 27, Queens

“I wish that he could carry out his agenda even though it is a difficult economy. Hopefully there will be balance and equality for everyone. There will be more jobs, more health benefits and more of everything for everyone.”

Barbara Pettus, Brooklyn

“I hope he would follow through on his promises to focus on actually getting things done and not being too ideological. Health care is huge. There are millions of people who don’t have it and they have to forgo basic health coverage. Obama has to expand the amount of people who have access to health care.”

John Gaffney, 36, Upper West Side

“He should equalize resources and create opportunities for people. Everybody should have access to health care. There’s been a disproportionate gap between the working class and the rich and hopefully he can bridge that gap. There should be fairer taxes – he should tax the wealthy.”

Richard Rivera, 40, Bronx

“Good luck. I wish him the best of luck. He’s got a hell of a four years ahead of him. There’s a lot of work to do.”

Kathleen Rollock, 40, Bronx

(Jed Kim contributed to this story)

Paterson: I haven't picked a new senator yet

Monday January 19, 2009 12:25 PM By Pete Catapano

By Stephen J. Bronner

Special to amNewYork

Gov. David Paterson debunked reports yesterday that he’s already decided on Caroline Kennedy to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. senate.

"I can say, definitively, I do not know who the next senator from New

York is right now," Paterson said at a news conference yesterday,

according to the Albany Times Union. "I would swear to it."

He added, "I would figure that by this weekend, we would come up with a candidate."’

Paterson said that he’s still reviewing documents pertaining to the decision.

Clinton can be confirmed as secretary of state after Barack Obama

is sworn in as president today, clearing the way for Paterson's announcement.

Several unnamed senate contenders apparently told The New York Post in a story published yesterday that Paterson would choose Kennedy to avoid backlash from

her family and even Obama, who was supported by Kennedy during the

primaries.

Caroline Kennedy still hasn't been picked by David Paterson, nor has anyone else (AP Photo)The senate seat has become a hot issue since Clinton's appointment was

announced in December. Kennedy revealed her interest in the seat,

adding her prestigious name to a list of candidates who include state

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and

Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Steve Israel.

A Quinnipiac poll released last week showed New Yorkers now prefer

Cuomo for the job by a 31 to 24 percent margin. A similar poll a month

ago had Kennedy leading Cuomo by a 33 to 29 percent margin.

Voters do not get to choose who will fill in the senate seat. The

responsibility rests solely on Paterson, who told CNN's Larry King

Sunday, "It doesn't feel that way when I read the newspapers."

Paterson's choice will be seated until 2010, when they will face

election, which Paterson finds comforting.

"As much pressure as I feel to make this decision, the public has not

thought of these replacement senators as real incumbents," he told Larry King.

"I'm relieved by the fact, in a short period of time, 18 months, the

public will make the real decision."

Rahm's shocker

Monday January 19, 2009 7:11 AM By Emily Ngo

The New York Times magazine portraits are gorgeous, but it appears that President-elect Barack Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, is putting up the shocker. An etiquette no-no, indeed. Do you think he know-knows?

Addendum: My dear word, it appears poor Rahm's finger is partially amputated. I should have believed the rumors.

— Emily Ngo

Harlemites say Obama's inauguration is MLK's dream come true

Sunday January 18, 2009 5:30 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

mnaanes@am-ny.com

At a popular Barack Obama souvenir stand in Harlem, a button featuring the president-elect and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the fastest-selling items leading up to the inauguration.

The button’s popularity is symbolic of a sentiment rolling through Harlem and the rest of the country as Obama’s ascension approaches, and as it happens, falls the day after the nation celebrates King’s legacy.

“Just the fact that Martin Luther King fought for us, it’s a special day,” said Gina Limehouse, 41, of Harlem. “He had a dream, and the dream came true. It might not have been when he wanted it, but that day came.”

Beyond just a button, Obama himself seemed to invoke King yesterday, addressing concert-goers at the base of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the same place King gave his “I Have a dream” speech more than 45 years ago. Some in Harlem yesterday thought Obama’s inauguration was so historic, they wished it also had been declared a national holiday.Sajuan Scott, 14, said he’d treat Tuesday as a holiday by staying home from school to watch the inauguration ceremony and festivities on television.

“It’s like Martin Luther King had a dream about black people having rights and then the day after [his birthday], it’s actually happening -- it just falls into place,” the teenager said. “I never thought an African American could even run for president. It shows everything can happen.”

For several people in Harlem yesterday, the coincidental chronology of the MLK holiday and the inauguration of the first black president was bittersweet.

“The man [King] fought for so long, and he died trying to bring change,” said Leonard Campbell, 36. “Now he finally got change. It’s shouldn’t have taken this long.”

Others said King’s dream has not been fulfilled — yet.

“We still have a whole lot more to do,” said Tory Liferidge, 31, of the Youth and Young Adult Pastor at First Corinthian Baptist Church in southwest Harlem. “We don’t want to lose ourselves in the moment and forget, especially as we celebrate Dr. King.”

For some folks, Obama’s inauguration following King’s holiday was no fluke.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence at all,” said Katrina Roberts, 18, as she left First Corinthian yesterday. “It’s something that’s been in the making for a long time. I think that God planned it that way.”

Some sad to see Bush go

Sunday January 18, 2009 5:20 PM By Marlene Naanes

By Marlene Naanes

mnaanes@am-ny.com

George W. Bush will leave office tomorrow with one of the lowest approval ratings of a United States president, and in New York City, land of liberals, it’s safe to say he’s even less popular.

Yet some New Yorkers are upset Bush’s tenure is coming to an end and feel his approval rating is a mere snapshot of public opinion at the end of eight years filled with some of the toughest challenges any president has faced.

“The verdict of history is much more meaningful than what the current approval ratings reflect,” said Richard Brownell, a member and former president of the New York Young Republican Club. “With that in mind, though, I keep reading how historians around the country are saying that Bush was the worst president ever when we haven't even had the requisite time to reflect on the man's policies and actions. Have they forgotten about James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Jimmy Carter?”

amNewYork caught up with New Yorkers who are sad to see the 43rd president go and asked them what they’ll miss most.Brownell, 36, of downtown Manhattan

“I will miss Bush's demeanor, his attitude, his folksy sense of humor,” he said. “He has a true approachability to him that you rarely see in politicians.”

Brownell will also miss Bush’s determined way of making decisions, that he did not agonize over each one, even the bad ones.

“You have to lead the country, not a debate team,” he said. “Bush knew that difference. His predecessor did not. I'm not sure his successor does, either.”

Matthew Hindin, 27, Murray Hill

Like many Bush supporters, Hindin credits Bush with keeping the country safe after 9/11. It’s the “No. 1 responsibility” of any president, he said.

“I remember the week or so after 9/11 every single American, if asked, was pretty sure there would be attacks again,” he said. “Through a lot of controversial but courageous decisions…. President Bush did what he had to, making courageous but difficult decisions to prevent an attack on American soil and to protect the lives of Americans here and abroad.”

Hindin, who admits he voted for Al Gore in 2000, said Bush’s straightforward honesty won him over.

“What I detected…is that maybe he doesn’t have the fanciest words…[but] I see a simple human honesty that comes through.”

David Laska, 21, of the East Village

Laska, a New York University junior and treasurer of the school’s College Republicans organization, is sad to see Bush go, but he’s more upset by the cloud of negativity that has hung over him.

“I don’t think he didn’t do such a bad job as people say,” Laska said. “I think his big legacy is that he was very successful in leading the country after Sept. 11. His approval rating was through the roof. He kept this country safe.”

While Laska supports Bush, he wouldn’t want him to serve a third term, even if it was possible.

“He’s lost any political capital to do anything,” he said. “In any event, the country was founded on the peaceful transition of power. “

Gail Allen, 30, Hell’s Kitchen

Allen, the secretary of the New York Young Republicans, will miss Bush’s tendency to “stick to his guns,” an attribute that made him unpopular with many others.

“When every step that you make is always judged upon…that pressure has to build on you,” she said. “He seems to me as the type of guy who never let that pressure get to him.”

Now that Bush will be gone and a republican will not be succeeding him, Allen said Republicans will do what Democrats have for the past eight years.

“We are the new opposition, so to speak,” she said. “Now we’re the ones to rise up and start raising our voices.”

Eight years of Dubya: From the recount to Iraq

Sunday January 18, 2009 3:54 PM By Emily Ngo

By Emily Ngo

It seems few Americans are sad to see Dubya go.

President George W. Bush’s approval rating hovers at 34 percent — the lowest rate since Richard Nixon’s presidency. Experts, however, warn against “misunderestimating” how he’ll be remembered.

“History may cut him some slack,” said political analyst Costas Panagopoulos, director of Fordham University’s Center for Electoral Politics and Democracy. “Bush faced completely different challenges than other presidents.”

In his farewell address, Bush said he “acted with the best interests of our country in mind,” and few experts dispute this. “He was a very idealistic guy who took up big issues, and sometimes the ideas were too big for him,” said Carl Cannon, co-author of “Reagan’s Disciple: George W. Bush’s Troubled Quest for a Presidential Legacy,” “but his heart was in the right place.”

Here’s a look at eight years of events that may shape the Bush legacy, for better or worse:

The Florida recount

In 2000, the former Texas governor squeaked past Democratic rival Al Gore, winning Florida and the presidency in a controversial blur of butterfly ballots.No Child Left Behind

Bush’s ambitious effort to hold schools accountable earned bipartisan nods. “He got Republicans in the game on it,” Cannon said. “Education became a federal issue, not just a state and local issue.”

9/11

After an unprecedented terror attack in 2001, Bush urged confidence in the country’s security and briefly revitalized its economy. “He finds his footing as a wartime president,” Cannon said, “then he rallies the country in a way it needs to be rallied.”

The Patriot Act

The act challenged civil liberties and allegedly paved the way for warrantless wiretapping. Vice President Dick Cheney said it has helped to keep the U.S. safe, and “even Bush’s worst detractors will tell you that it’s possible that statement is true,” said Cannon, the Washington bureau chief for Reader’s Digest.

The war in Iraq

The U.S. invades Iraq in 2003 and overthrows dictator Saddam Hussein, but the failure to find WMDs sets off a deep unpopularity for the war. Further hurting Bush’s case: More than 4,200 U.S. soldiers have died and the occupation continues.

Hurricane Katrina

FEMA’s inadequate response to the 2005 storm is among the factors blamed in 1,800-plus deaths in New Orleans and beyond. “We essentially lost a major United States city in the modern era,” said political analyst and “Party Crashing” author Keli Goff.

The faltering economy

The Bush administration’s tax cuts and unbridled spending likely lent a hand to the $1.2 trillion federal deficit. “His policies were more favorable to upper-income level Americans than the middle class,” Panagopoulos said. “He has increased the income inequality in this country.”

New Yorkers head to Washington

Sunday January 18, 2009 2:20 PM By Pete Catapano

By Heather Haddon

Special to amNewYork

When Anne Trumble advertised her Inauguration Day carpool on-line, she never expected to receive 50 responses from as far away as California and Great Britain.

“I had to upgrade the rental to a minivan,” said Trumble, 32, of Park Slope, who picked up five strangers from Grand Army Plaza yesterday.

The chance to witness history tomorrow has sent New Yorkers scrambling for ways to get to the National Mall for the swearing in of Barack Obama as the 44th president.In the last two weeks, more than a dozen ads with subject lines like “Carpool to/from D.C. - yes we can!” sprung up on craigslist.org. Discount bus companies added trips to Washington, D.C., and a dozen inaugural charter tours are offering perks like cocktails, disco lights and independent films on their trips.

“You don’t want that excitement to die down on the drive,” said Stephanie Cadet, 25, of East Flatbush, who filled a dozen “Inauguration Day Party Buses” leaving from all five boroughs.

About 10,000 buses are expected to descend on Washington, D.C. for the historic ceremony. Seats on several discount bus lines between New York City and the nation’s capital sold out weeks ago.

BoltBus has since added 10 trips to and from Washington, D.C. today and tomorrow.

Additionally, three companies leaving from Chinatown have extra buses ready beginning at 1:30 a.m. tonight, said an attendant for the Chinatown Bus ticket agency.

Elizabeth Doctor, a 24-year-old teacher from Morningside Heights, left Saturday on the $25 Vamoose Bus from Penn Station.

“I think it’s going to be an absolutely spectacular moment in history,” said Doctor, who planned to call her Bronx students from the parade tomorrow.

Startup charter buses have filled hundreds of seats with New Yorkers eager to attend the event — no matter the cost.

A Baltimore entrepreneur, for example, sold dozens of $250 tickets in New York for a Mercedes Benz coach and dinner buffet after the swearing-in ceremony.

Neal Kellman, a pilot by day who organized a $175 package deal for a charter bus and accommodations, said he received most of his calls in the last week.

“I’m becoming the most popular man in New York,” said Kellman, 31, of East Flatbush.

For creative types, the Galapagos Art Space in Brooklyn will send off its bus with a “Bon Voyage Bush” party tonight. Attendees are encouraged to dress in cruise attire and play games like “lame rubber ducky,” said administrator Katie Wagner.

At least 1 million people are expected to attend the inauguration. Doctor, the Bronx teacher, hadn’t squared away her return trip, but wasn’t worried.

“We can make signs saying ‘New York or bust,’” Doctor said. “I would not miss this for the world.”

Bloomberg headed to D.C. with family of late Obama aide

Sunday January 18, 2009 1:23 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is headed to Washington for the inauguration of Barack Obama, and he is bringing some special guests.

Obama will take the mother and the widow of Terence Tolbert, 44, a city Department of Education employee and Obama campaign aide who died of a heart attack two days before the election.

He was on leave from his city job and was working as the Obama campaign director in Nevada.

Tolbert’s mother, Carolyn, and his wife, Freida, will sit with Bloomberg at the swearing-in Tuesday.

Tomorrow, Bloomberg will address the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Republican leader pushes special election for Clinton seat

Monday January 12, 2009 1:29 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Sen. Hillary Clinton begins her confirmation hearing tomorrow for secretary of state, and it may be just a matter of days before she’s confirmed.

And while there’s already been much speculation about who the governor will choose to replace Clinton in the senate, New York’s assembly minority leader wants to nix the appointment process and instead create a special election to fill the seat.

“We need elections to matter in New York,” said Joshua Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for Assemb. James Tedisco (R-Schenectady), who intends to introduce a bill allowing voters to choose Clinton’s replacement.

“No more accidental public officials,” Fitzpatrick said.

Though Fitzpatrick said Tedisco hopes a bill would pass before Gov. David Paterson makes a selection for Clinton’s seat, that is a virtual impossibility.

Republicans are in the minority in both houses of the legislature and Paterson, like Clinton, is a Democrat. Also, the governor is expected to make the appointment soon after Clinton is confirmed.

Paterson's office would not immediately comment on the bill.

The matter has drawn intense scrutiny since President-elect Barack Obama announced Clinton as his choice to lead the state department.

Paterson has been very tight-lipped about whom he might select but speculation has swirled around Caroline Kennedy. Another possibility is Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Fitzpatrick noted that if Cuomo gets the nod, the legislature would choose a replacement for him. In that case, there would be four statewide officeholders who were not elected to their positions: Paterson was elevated to governor after Eliot Spitzer resigned and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli was chosen by the legislature after Alan Hevesi resigned.

Special election set for Feb. 24

Sunday January 4, 2009 1:51 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Voters in Queens and Staten Island head back to the polls next month for special elections to fill three vacant city council seats.

An election will be held Feb. 24 for seats that were held by Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), Hiram Monserrate (D-East Elmhurst) and Michael McMahon (D-Staten Island).

Addabbo and Monserrate were elected to the state Senate while McMahon was elected to the House.

The Feb. 24 contest will be non-partisan. Regular primaries and general elections for four-year terms will be held in the fall.

The winners of next month’s election will serve until Dec. 31.

Top 10 New York Stories of 2008:

Sunday December 28, 2008 2:52 PM By Sean Joseph

Eliot Spitzer resigns as governor in March with his wife, Silda, by his side. (Getty)

By Pete Catapano and Rolando Pujol

It’s safe to say 2008 was rather on the unpredictable side. We saw massive economic meltdowns, bizarre political scandals and history made as Sen. Barack Obama was elected to the White House.

While no list could cover the entire landscape of a rather monumental year, here are the top 10 New York stories of 2008:

DOUBLE DOSE OF FARE HIKES

Although fares and tolls already went up in March, the MTA proposed a whole new set of hikes as it copes with a $1.2 billion budget deficit. Along with service cuts, the MTA said in worst-case scenarios, single-ride fares could rise to $3 while monthly MetroCards could top out at $105.

Also coming into play is the possibility of tolling on the East River bridges. If implemented, the tolls could keep the hike down.

SPITZER SCANDAL

In the most shocking scandal of the year, the state’s political “golden boy” was literally found with his pants down when it was discovered he was a client of high-priced escort service.

Just a year into his administration, New York’s governor was discovered to be spending thousands of dollars on prostitutes, particularly the now-famous Ashley Dupre. Spitzer, or “Client No. 9” as he was described in court papers, resigned on March 17 but didn’t face charges. This lead to the installation of the state’s first black governor, David Paterson.

Michael Strahan, left, and Eli Manning celebrate the Giants' first Super Bowl victory since 1991. (AP)

GIANTS WIN SUPERBOWL

New York got its first victory parade since 2000 as the Giants recorded one of the most-unlikely Super Bowl victories.

After winning three road playoff games, the Giants were a double-digit underdog against the unbeaten New England Patriots. Eli Manning, the game’s MVP, connected with Plaxico Burress on a 13-yard touchdown to give the Giants a stunning 17-14 upset. It was the Giants first title since 1991.

DEATH OF HEATH LEDGER

The city was stunned by the Jan. 22 death of 28-year-old actor Heath Ledger in a SoHo loft, where mourners immediately mounted a massive makeshift memorial. While an accidental overdose was blamed and Ledger’s friend Mary-Kate Olsen was embroiled in the controversy, she eventually did not have to testify about Ledger’s prescription drug use.

Ledger, who had just finished work as the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” had recently separated from his wife, the actress Michelle Williams.

GOODBYE TO SHEA AND YANKEE STADIUMS

A crowd of 54,610 bid farewell to Yankee Stadium on Sept. 21, with a 7-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Derek Jeter addressed the crowd from the pitcher’s mound after the game in an emotional goodbye to the most storied venue in sports. The Yanks were eliminated from postseason contention the next day, leaving them out of the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Meanwhile, the Mets final game at Shea was a sad one. The Amazin’s were knocked out of postseason contention in their final game at Shea, a heartbreaking 4-2 defeat to the Florida Marlins on Sept. 28.

POPE VISITS NYC

Though he lacks the celebrity wattage of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI still dazzled the city during his three-day visit to New York City. His tour in April included stop at Yankee Stadium, the United Nations and a synagogue, a first for a pope visiting the United States. The themes he sounded include reconciliation in the aftermath of the clerical sex-abuse scandal.

BUDGET CRUNCH

Struggling to close a $15.4 billion deficit, Gov. Paterson unveiled a startling tax-and-slash budget package that touches upon virtually every part of life. The governor also proposed deep cuts to funding to New York City, which is itself cutting jobs, reducing services and hiking taxes as it struggles to cope with the Wall Street collapse.

HARLEM CELEBRATES OBAMA

In a historic display of jubilation to match the election of Barack Obama as the nation’s first black president, residents of Harlem, the symbolic seat of the city’s African-American community, cheered the news in spontaneous, joyful street celebrations. Indeed, horns honk and people shout from windows in neighborhoods all around the city as the Democrat-heavy New Yorkers exult.

This was the culmination of the presidential elections that started with New Yorkers Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as their respective parties’ front-runners.

DEADLY CRANE COLLAPSE

On a quiet Saturday afternoon in March, a towering crane collapsed in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, killing seven people and sparking outrage over lax oversight of the city’s development boom.

It turned out the construction site did not meet zoning code. Reforms followed, but additional construction deaths kept worries high.

TERM LIMITS EXTENDED

Although in the past he was vehemently against extending term limits for New York City elected officials, Mayor Michael Bloomberg flip-flopped this year when he decided to run for a third term.

Saying the city needs him because of the economic crisis, the mayor lobbied for support in the City Council to change the law, which they did on Oct. 23 by a 29-22 vote.

Elected officials: Give MTA $20B in federal help

Sunday December 28, 2008 10:48 AM By Emily Ngo

By Emily Ngo

Elected officials yesterday pleaded with Washington for a $20 billion injection to help the debt-wracked MTA.

Already, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s money problems have led to delays on the construction of the Second Avenue subway and the rehabilitation of some two dozen stations.

With a boost from President-elect Barack Obama’s hefty economic stimulus plan, these infrastructure needs could be addressed, said Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY).

The elected officials yesterday said the funds also would help alleviate the MTA’s $1.2 billion budget deficit. The agency has been considering a fare hike on single train and bus rides that, in the “worst-case scenario,” would increase the cost to $3 from $2.

Federal help would not only dig the MTA out of its ditch, it would create tens of thousands of jobs and boost the “greening” of New York City, said Schumer, who made the plea alongside Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan/Brooklyn), of the House’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.Obama’s staff and Congressional leaders are still hammering out the details of the president-elect’s rescue program.

The purchase of 1,575 hybrid buses, the Tenth Avenue station for the No. 7 train and the completion of the Fulton Transit Center in its original scope are other projects that could use a hand from Obama, Schumer and Nadler said.

“This stimulus could be a life-saver for New York’s mass transit system,” Nadler said.

Caroline's every kind of Democrat

Sunday December 21, 2008 11:04 AM By Rolando Pujol

Caroline Kennedy says she’s a “Clinton Democrat.”

This might come as a small surprise to Hillary Clinton, who stood by helplessly in the make-or-break Democratic primaries while Caroline and her Uncle Teddy grandly backed Barack Obama.

But don’t read too much into that little disconnect. Caroline’s also an “Obama Democrat” and a “Kennedy Democrat” and a “Schumer Democrat” and apparently a “Sharpton Democrat” too.

Now that she wants to be New York’s junior senator, Caroline will be whatever kind of Democrat she has to be, even if that means riding up to Lenox Avenue and sitting for a full cholesterol infusion with Democratic Reverend Al.

Oddly, she did fail to mention she’s a “Paterson Democrat.” Once reminded that Governor David gets to name Hillary’s Senate replacement all by himself, don’t expect that omission again from Caroline.

This label flexibility is possible only for a candidate, like Caroline Kennedy, who is a political blank slate, someone who has hardly ever had to take a public position on anything. Heck, she could be a “Blagojevich Democrat” if she chose to, although that might not be so helpful right now.

She was pleasant and poised as she stepped out of Sylvia’s Restaurant. But asked how she’s prepared to be a U.S. Senator, she fell back immediately on genealogy and her nice-person resume.

“I come at this as a mother, as a lawyer, as an author, as an education advocate and from a family that really has spent generations in public service,” she said.

Ah, families. There are families all over this mess. It isn’t often that three of America’s top Democratic clans — the Clintons, Cuomos and Kennedys — are all so intertwined in ambitions and resentment with all of them pretending to still be friends.

A quick review: The Kennedys sold out the Clintons. Hillary created the Senate-seat drama by signing on as Obama’s secretary of state. So Mario Cuomo’s son Andrew was the heir apparent – until Caroline, whose cousin Kerry divorced Andrew, decided she might want the job.

Pick your label: Aren’t families fun?

City Council votes to hike property taxes by 7 percent

Thursday December 18, 2008 1:55 PM By Scott A. Rosenberg

BY JASON FINK

The City Council Thursday night voted to raise property taxes by 7 percent, part of a package of budget measures aimed at cutting a projected $1.2 billion deficit over the next year and half.

The mayor’s office also agreed to release the $400 property tax rebates it had resisted sending out, ending a standoff with council members who insisted the administration was legally obligated to mail the checks.Critics blasted the tax plans as a bad deal for homeowners and a burden on citizens still reeling from a slew of new taxes announced this week by Gov. David Paterson.

“The people have been taxed enough,” said Councilman Charles Barron (D-Brooklyn). “It’s like, ‘here’s your $400 and now you’re going to give it right back because you have a 7 percent tax hike.”

The average homeowner will see an increase of about $118 for the remaining six months of the fiscal year. The increase will raise about $600 million, city officials said.

Supporters of the tax hike, which passed 33-18, said it was necessary to plug a gap that has only grown as the economy has soured.

“Nobody wants to vote on property tax increases,” said Councilman David Weprin (D-Hollis), the chairman of the Finance Committee. “This is the responsible thing to do.”

Also Thursday, Bloomberg announced July’s police class would be cut to 250 from about 1,000 cadets, and that January’s class, which the administration initially sought to cancel, will also be 250.

Councilman Peter Vallone (D-Astoria), chairman of the Public Safety Committee, said that combined with attrition, the cuts will mean a force of about 33,000, the lowest level since 1991.

“Our residents should be very afraid,” he said. “These cuts will absolutely result in more crime.”

Marc LaVorgna, a spokesman for Mayor Michael Bloomberg, said the department had shown it could keep crime down with fewer officers.

“The police department has a proven ability to do more with less,” said LaVorgna, who did not address the figures Vallone cited.

The council also voted to increase the hotel tax by 0.876 percent, raising the average $300 room rate by an extra $2.62 per night.

Budget leaves city worker benefits vulnerable

Thursday December 18, 2008 12:49 PM By Ryan Chatelain

By Ryan Chatelain

As the Bloomberg administration grapples with a $4 billion budget shortfall over the next two years, city employees may soon be asked to foot a chunk of the bill.

The city could shave at least $2 billion annually from its spending by requiring municipal workers to contribute to their health insurance costs and work regular 40-hour weeks -– norms in the private sector.

“We are discussing with the municipal unions ways to save money during the financial crisis, but we will discuss any proposals across the table, not through the media,” said Marc LaVorgna, a spokesman for Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The business-backed Citizens Budget Commission and the Manhattan Institute, a public-policy think tank, have long pushed for employee contributions to all health insurance and 40-hour workweeks, and the time might be ripe for the city to rekindle the debate.When asked about the possibility, City Council Finance Chairman David Weprin (D-Hollis) said, “Everything should be on the table,” although he admitted cuts to benefits would not likely be discussed before July.

Currently, 90 percent of the city’s 350,000 workers opt for health care plans that don’t require them to pay a share of their premiums. With the exception of uniformed workers and teachers, most city employees work 35 or 37½ hours a week.

Charles Brecher, research director for the Citizens Budget Commission, estimates the city would save about $1 billion a year by requiring employees to pay 10 percent toward individual health insurance plans and 20 percent for family coverage. Another $500 million could be saved by requiring retirees to pay half their costs.

Taxpayers will spend $6.7 billion this year on city employees’ benefits, the vast majority going to health care.

“There’s nothing wrong with asking them to pay, even if it’s a small amount,” said Nicole Gelinas, a fellow with the Manhattan Institute.

While free health care for employees in other cities is not unheard of, the perk is increasingly coming under fire, most notably in Philadelphia. Gelinas added that New York’s benefits package is “generous” compared to other municipalities.

Mandated 40-hour workweeks would yield about $500 million in relief to the city by eliminating the need for 7,000 jobs over the next three years, analysts say. In response to the wide budget gap, Bloomberg has already announced plans to cut 3,000 jobs, issuing 500 pink slips.

The pension system for new employees may also be retooled. But with many variables at play, the potential savings are difficult to project, Brecher said.

Harry Nespoli, chairman of the Municipal Labor Committee, the umbrella group for municipal unions, said it would be unfair to target city workers, arguing that the attractive benefits package is a big reason employees pass on accepting higher-paying jobs in the private sector.

“You take that away, fuggedaboutit, nobody would take a city job,” he said.

“This is caused by Wall Street and by financial companies, but yet the Main Street people like the city workers are the victims of this whole thing.”

President Socrates? At least one New Yorker hopes so

Wednesday December 17, 2008 11:42 AM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Who is Chuck Baldwin?

More New Yorkers voted for him in the November presidential elections than for Michael Bloomberg, Rudolph Giuliani or Bill Clinton.

Baldwin, a conservative radio host and columnist who was the Constitution Party’s presidential nominee, received 69 write-in votes, behind only Hillary Clinton with 304 and Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) with 193, according to uncertified results provided by the New York City Board of Elections.

Baldwin did better than Socrates, who got one vote; out-polled Joe the Plumber, who also got one; and even bested Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Vladmir Putin, who each got one.

Bloomberg, who reportedly flirted with the idea of running for the White House, got 34 votes, while Giuliani got nine. Both scored better at the ballot box than Jesus, whose three votes were tied with God or YHWH.So, who are these people who make lonely protests (“None of the Above” scored one vote), try out their humor (“My Cat Ginger,” one vote) or show off their erudition (“Antonin Artaud,” one vote for the French avant-garde playwright)?

“Almost always, write-ins are limited to scattered idiosyncratic episodes where individuals evidently are making a personal statement,” said Bob Erikson, a political science professor at Columbia University.

He said organized write-in campaigns sometimes have an impact, noting that in 1964, the winner of the New Hampshire Republican primary was write-in candidate Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.

A spokesman for Baldwin, who did not campaign in the city and decided not to spend the money it would have taken to get on the ballot, said he got about 600 votes statewide.

“I was a little disappointed that it wasn’t more,” said Gary Odom, Baldwin’s campaign coordinator.

Guv's tax plans outrage New Yorkers

Tuesday December 16, 2008 1:37 PM By Jason Fink

Gov. David Paterson at a news conference today. AP photo

By Jason Fink

New Yorkers are fuming today at the prospect of new taxes on everything from downloading music to riding in taxis to watching cable TV.

“It’s absolutely wrong,” said Marlyn Durand, 40, of Brooklyn. “This economy is so bad that creating more taxes just doesn’t make it any better for us.”

The dizzying array of new taxes and fees – New Yorkers would also pay taxes on movie tickets, satellite radio and malt liquor - are part of Gov. David Paterson’s plan to balance the state’s $121 billion budget.

There is even a tax on your taxes: A $10 fee will be charged to anyone who files income taxes on paper rather than online.

“It seems like they just grabbed anything they could and threw it in there,” said Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste.Paterson’s budget plan, presented yesterday to the Legislature, is aimed at closing a $15 billion deficit over the next two years.

In addition to the new taxes, it also proposes to:

• Cut school aid by $698 million

• Increase public college tuition by 14 percent

• Eliminate 3,108 state jobs, including 521 layoffs

• Increase driver’s license renewal fees

• Eliminate the sales tax exemption for clothes under $110

In total, the budget includes 137 new or increased taxes, fees and fines.

“I think it’s going to create more bankruptcy,” said Desire Alcantara, 16, of the Bronx.

Assmb. James Tedisco, (R-Schenectady), the minority leader, blasted the plan.

“Raising and imposing new taxes penalizes New York’s middle class families, drives employers away and will ultimately worsen, prolong and deepen this economic recession,” he said.

The Democratic governor was also lambasted by labor leaders and education advocates.

“It's working people getting stuck with the bill,” said Danny Donohue, president of the Civil Service Employees Association union, which represents state workers.

In presenting the budget yesterday, Paterson blamed the state’s fiscal woes not just on the reeling economy but on irresponsible spending in the past.

“Unfortunately, we have lived beyond our means,” he said. “We have made too many promises and unfortunately have asked for two few sacrifices.”

The budget was presented more than a month early so that legislators could get to work before the new session begins in January. Paterson said would like to see a budget passed well before the April 1 deadline in order to avoid increasing the deficit even more.

“Although the news is dire, Gov. Paterson deserves praise for his straight-forward leadership throughout a fiscal crisis the likes of which I have not seen in my lifetime,” Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said.

Ryan Chatelain and AP contributed to this story

Did 'SNL' go too far in mocking gov's blindess?

Sunday December 14, 2008 1:54 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

“Saturday Night Live” is known for pushing the envelope, but the show may have pushed it too far yesterday when it mocked Gov. David Paterson for being legally blind.

In the sketch, part of the “Weekend Update” segment, cast member Fred Armisen, his left eye squinting, wheels his chair up to the desk and then struggles with which way to face. Later while discussing the economy, he holds a chart upside down, to uproarious laughter. During a farewell speech from departing castmember Amy Poehler, he wanders aimlessly in front of the camera.

During a discussion with “Weekend Update” anchor Seth Myers about whom to appoint to fill Hillary Clinton’s senate seat, Armisen’s Paterson suggests taking someone out of the “freak bin” of upstate New York.

“They don’t have to be blind. It could be someone with, like, a gamey arm or the giant gums with the tiny teeth,” he says. “I’m tired of all these fancy two-eyed smart alecks from the big city running the show.”

The sketch also poked fun at Paterson’s admitted cocaine use in his 20s.

Paterson’s office released a statement last night taking the show to task.

“The governor engages in humor all the time, and he can certainly take a joke,” the statement said. “However, this particular ‘Saturday Night Live’ skit unfortunately chose to ridicule people with physical disabilities and imply that disabled people are incapable of having jobs with serious responsibilities.”Carl Jacobsen, president of the National Federation of the Blind of New York, slammed the sketch, adding that the show would likely never use racist humor in connection with the governor, who is black.

“I think ‘Saturday Night Live’ was reaching for a cheap laugh at the expense of a whole class of people,” said Jacobsen. “They have to find someone to pick on so we’re down to blind guys.”

New Yorkers said going after Paterson’s disability – he is legally blind as a result of a childhood infection – is out of bounds.

“That’s definitely over the limit,” said Christian Best, 35, of Brooklyn. “That’s in poor taste.”

Johnny Chaz, 48, of Queens, said he expects the episode to cause an uproar.

“Blind people might be out there next week protesting,” he said. “You can’t make fun of an affliction that he can’t do anything about.”

A spokesman for NBC declined to comment.

Sara Benincasa, a New York-based comedian, praised much of the sketch but said going after Paterson for being blind is “lazy.”

“I was surprised they went there,” she said.

Of course not all New Yorkers were offended.

“I think he’s big enough to handle it,” said Sandy Needham, who lives on the Upper West Side. “My television has a switch. If you don’t like it, turn it off.”

Man throws shoes at Bush in Iraq

Sunday December 14, 2008 10:23 AM By Pete Catapano

By Pete Catapano

The president's surprise visit to Iraq took a bizarre turn when a man threw both of his shoes at him during a news conference today. The attacker missed, and the president laughed off the incident later.

"All I can report," Bush joked later, "is a size 10," the AP reported.

Check out the video:

Pronounce Blagojevich, Ahmadinejad with ease

Wednesday December 10, 2008 2:53 PM By Emily Ngo

Illinois-bred amNY staffers can do it, but if you also want to be an expert at pronouncing Gov. Rod Blagojevich's name, use Slate's handy audio guide.

And it was The View's Whoopi Goldberg who got us pronouncing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's name somewhat correctly:

Now ... try to pronounce my last name.

— Emily Ngo

Think Blagojevich is the worst? Maybe not

Wednesday December 10, 2008 2:04 PM By Emily Ngo

Shameless: Blagojevich isn’t necessarily the slimiest of American politicians. Here are others:

Tom DeLay: Ex-GOP Texas congressman and House majority leader indicted on charges for conspiracy to violate election laws, including phone jamming and accepting lobbyists’ gifts, and money laundering in 2005.

Duke Cunningham: GOP Californian congressman quit in 2005 after pleading guilty to taking $2.4 million in bribes and charges including tax evasion and mail and wire fraud.Edwin Edwards: Democratic Louisiana governor was convicted in 2001 of racketeering, extortion and money laundering. Said: “I will be a model prisoner as I have been a model citizen.”

Richard Nixon: GOP president resigned in 1974 amid Watergate scandal, which involved taking illicit campaign contributions and wiretapping opponents. Said: “I’m not a crook. I’ve earned everything I’ve got.”

Boss Tweed: Democratic N.Y. congressman and senator convicted in 1873 of embezzling as much as $200 million in public funds by skimming money off city contracts. Led the legendarily corrupt Tammany Hall political machine.

— Emily Ngo

Cover story: Is gay marriage in New York off the agenda?

Tuesday December 9, 2008 2:41 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

With Democrats in control of Albany and a powerful gay rights advocate in the governor, New York supporters of same-sex marriage seemed on the verge of victory.

But a confluence of factors – a massive budget deficit, a contentious power struggle in the state senate and less-than-unanimous Democratic support – may quash any hope of legalizing gay marriage in New York any time soon.

“The timing is not good,” said Sarah Chinn, head of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies at the CUNY Graduate Center. “It may get pushed to the side.”

In recent days, reports have surfaced that incoming state senate leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) agreed to keep the marriage bill from the floor to prevent three lawmakers from defecting to the Republicans, which would cost Democrats the majority in the upper house.

One of the so-called “gang of three,” Sen. Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx), is a vocal opponent of same sex marriage. The other two, senator-elect Pedro Espada of the Bronx and Sen. Carl Kruger of Brooklyn, have been offered leadership posts, though Espada yesterday was reportedly unhappy with the deal. Not so with Diaz. “I’m very happy with the agreement we reached. We got everything we want, and that’s all I’m going to say.”Meanwhile, Smith today denied promising to scuttle a same-sex marriage bill. He said that dealing with the state’s $10 billion deficit would be the top priority.

“Rebuilding New York’s economy comes first,” he said.

New Yorkers, however, disagreed, saying the timing is ripe to push ahead with gay rights.

“Even with the economic crisis going on ... you can’t ignore it,” said Rob Archer, 23, of Park Slope. “It’s something that affects a lot of people in New York state.”

“The whole issue of gay marriage, in about 15 to 20 years, will be looked upon the way segregation is looked upon now,” said Mark Lesseraux, 40, also of Park Slope.

Currently, Massachusetts and Connecticut are the only two states to have legalized same-sex marriage, though it’s been a hot-button issue in dozens of other states, including in California, where voters last month passed a referendum outlawing the practice.

Gov. David Paterson’s office said he still intends to introduce a gay marriage bill. In fact, one of his first acts when he became governor earlier this year was to recognize same-sex unions performed elsewhere.

But with the state’s fiscal woes, Paterson may find himself consumed with closing the budget gap. His office today would not commit to a timetable for asking lawmakers to take up the marriage bill.

Evan Stavisky, a Democratic political consultant, said that politics and deal-making aside, the bill is dead for now because of simple math.

“The truth is that there probably aren’t enough votes in the senate,” he said.

Marlene Naanes contributed to this story.

Cover story: Obama says he won't take cigarettes to the White House

Sunday December 7, 2008 2:44 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink and Emily Ngo

President-elect Barack Obama vowed today to kick some butts.

In an interview aired today, Obama, whose cigarette habit has dogged him in the media, said he would refrain from smoking in the White House.

“It’s easier said than done,” said smoker Allen Duncan, 31, of the West Village.

Like most other New Yorkers interviewed yesterday, Duncan said that Obama’s habit was his own business.

Obama, well-known for his cool demeanor and grace under pressure, became a bit rattled when Tom Brokaw on “Meet the Press” grilled him on whether he’d really given up the habit.

“I have,” Obama said. “What I said was that there are times where I have fallen off the wagon.”

“Wait a minute,” Brokaw replied, “that means you haven’t stopped.”

“Fair enough,” Obama conceded.

He then promised not to smoke in the White House, where the practice was banned at the behest of former First Lady Hillary Clinton – now Obama’s choice for secretary of state.

“I've done a terrific job, under the circumstances, of making myself much healthier,” he said.Obama reportedly promised his wife, Michelle, that he would quit when he decided to run for president. He was frequently seen chewing Nicorette gum during the campaign.

“It’s a bad time to quit smoking,” because of the struggling economy, said Jeff Rice, 42, a smoker from Montclair, N.J. “I’d be too stressed out to quit.”

In an interview with Men’s Health Magazine for the November issue, Obama copped to bumming smokes occasionally during the campaign and said, “I figure, seeing as I’m running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack.”

In fact, had Obama been running at just about any other time in American history, he would need very little slack.

Numerous presidents have smoked, with little or no public outcry. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected a record four times, was rarely photographed without his trademark cigarette holder clenched in his teeth.

But as the negative health effects of smoking have become more widely known and cities and states have raced to enact indoor bans, the habit has become considerably less socially acceptable.

First Lady Laura Bush admitted to once being a regular smoker and Bill Clinton was known to puff cigars, but a regular and public cigarette habit would almost certainly be a problem now for someone meant to be a role model.

“He has to quit for health reasons,” said Harold Govan, 40, of midtown. “He should just quit and move on with his life. Just throw those cigarettes away.”

The AP contributed to this story.

Will senate seat go back to the Kennedy family?

Sunday December 7, 2008 1:05 PM By Jason Fink

Caroline Kennedy at the Democratic National Convention in August. Photo by Associated Press

By Jason Fink

A Senate seat that has seen its share of political celebrities might just get one of the Democratic party’s most famous names.

The political world is abuzz about news that Caroline Kennedy is among the front-runners to replace Hillary Clinton, who is expected to step down to become secretary of state.

Kennedy, 51, a lawyer who lives in Manhattan, called Gov. David Paterson last week to discuss the seat once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy.

Paterson has said little about replacing Clinton, who would likely be confirmed for her new post and resign from the Senate next month.

“I am sure if [Kennedy] is interested, she'll call back, but I'm not going to rate any of the candidates or talk about perspective candidates,” Paterson told CNN this weekend.Kennedy has never held elective office, which one political consultant said could hurt her.

“She’s going to have to shake hands with a lot of people she doesn’t like,” said Hank Sheinkopf, who worked for President Bill Clinton’s 1996 re-election campaign.

Sheinkopf said Kennedy would be able to raise money but is “not battle tested” and could prove vulnerable to a Republican.

Though she has been a national figure since she was a toddler scampering around the White House when her father, John F. Kennedy, was president, Caroline Kennedy has long avoided the spotlight.

Then, earlier this year, she and her uncle, Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), endorsed Barack Obama in the primary against Clinton, causing a rift among two of the country’s most prominent political families.

Obama called Kennedy a “wonderful American” but said he did not want to get involved.

Other contenders for the post include state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, several members of the House of Representatives, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, among many others.

To hold the seat, whoever is appointed would have to run in a special election in 2010 and then for a full, six-year term in 2012.

First Ladies Club

Sunday November 30, 2008 2:55 PM By Sean Joseph

Bess Truman and Mamie Eisenhower

By Linda Perney

Special to amNewYork

At first, nobody even knew what to call them. Over the years, the titles switched from Lady Washington, Presidentress, Queen Dolley — for Dolley Madison — and Mrs. President, for Mary Todd Lincoln.

Today we know them as first ladies — but even that title didn’t sit well with the most glamorous of them all. After instructing the White House telephone operators to refer to her only as “Mrs. Kennedy,” Jacqueline Kennedy remarked: “The one thing I do not want to be called is ‘first lady.’ It sounds like a saddle horse.”

As Michelle Obama, 44, prepares to move into the White House, comparisons between the Kennedys and the Obamas have been rife: two stylish, sophisticated couples, with young children, each president representing a firm break with the past: Kennedy as the first Catholic to be elected, Obama as the first African American.

Indeed, Sasha Obama, 7, will be the youngest White House occupant since Caroline and John-John. And although the Harvard-educated lawyer has vowed that her first responsibility is being “mom-in-chief,” Michelle Obama is a formidable presence in her own right.Family first

The Obamas are the latest link in a chain of first families that have come to symbolize the country’s aspirations. At the turn of the 20th century, Teddy Roosevelt, his wife, Edith, and his six children were “America’s Family.” The problem for them was: How much publicity was too much?

Much to Edith Roosevelt’s dismay their young sons were photographed with their pets, and the president’s eldest daughter became “Princess Alice,” with her smoking and horse betting. When asked about Alice’s behavior, TR responded: “I can either run the country or I can attend to Alice, but I cannot possibly do both.”

Jacqueline Kennedy declared her children off-limits to photographers, but the president, aware of their charm, often set up photo-ops while she was away.

The first lady’s changing role

For much of history, first ladies stayed out of politics, although many functioned as private advisors.

Among the exceptions: Mary Lincoln — one of the most reviled of the first spouses — held a séance in the White House and brought in mediums and mystics, and her detractors claimed she interfered in the president’s business.

In the 1980s, Nancy Reagan, left, famously consulted an astrologer and her meddling “began to interfere with the normal conduct of the presidency,” according to her husband’s chief of staff, Donald Regan.

The traditional side of the first lady’s role was perfected by Mamie Eisenhower and Bess Truman — neither of whom talked much to the press.

Bess once said that “a woman’s place in public is to sit beside her husband and be sure her hat is on straight.”

Laura Bush, who once described herself as ‘“George’s echo,”’ falls into that niche, says Catherine Allgord, visiting professor of history at California’s Claremont McKenna College. And in many ways, so did Nancy Reagan.

“The Reagans were very much in love, but there’s a difference between love and partnership. I’m quite sure Nancy Reagan would never have called herself Reagan’s partner,” Allgord says.

If anyone created the mystique of the first lady, it probably was Dolley Madison, Allgord said. “She pioneered the role of the charismatic figure in her husband’s administration” from 1809 to 1817.

Both of Woodrow Wilson’s wives were activists. The first, Ellen, took on the project of improving Washington’s black slums. The second Mrs. Wilson was accused of “running the country” when her husband suffered a stroke during his second term.

During the Depression, Eleanor Roosevelt traveled the country as the eyes and ears of her husband, who was in a wheelchair. “She is our yardstick,” says Myra Gutin, a historian and professor of communications at Rider University. “She’s the one we measure our first ladies by.”

Yet, for all her political acumen the world she lived in would never have accepted her as a candidate for the presidency in her own right.

All that changed with Hillary Clinton in the 1990s. “Like it or not,” says Allgord. “A new brand of first lady emerged with Clinton, and it’s something that we have to expect — having a first lady who could go on to become a public servant.”

Mamie Eisenhower celebrates her 63rd birthday in 1959.

Is Michelle Obama the next Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush or Jacqueline Kennedy?

Sunday November 30, 2008 1:32 PM By Marlene Naanes

(Associated Press)

By Marlene Naanes

With former First Lady Hillary Clinton on the verge of being named the country’s top diplomat, speculation turns to the incoming presidential spouse, Michelle Obama, and whether she too will follow suit in a high profile role.

It would seem natural for the 44-year-old Obama — a Harvard grad and a high-powered attorney — to be involved in her husband’s policy discussions. However, Obama’s self-proclaimed role as “mom-in-chief” and her willingness to leave behind her job as a top hospital executive during her husband’s campaign, is leading some political experts to believe she will be a more traditional First Lady.

“She will be concerned with the ceremonial activity, discreet political activity and a project,” said Myra Gutin, author of “The President’s Partner: The First Lady in the Twentieth Century.” “She’s not going to be like Eleanor Roosevelt and she’s not going to be like Hillary Clinton.”

Still, other experts believe that after the first family is settled into the White House, it will only be a matter of time before Obama does what comes naturally to her and step into the limelight on important issues, just as Roosevelt did with civil rights and Clinton with healthcare. Experts note that while claiming not to be a wife with political ambitions, Obama fervently spent 20 months campaigning for her husband, speaking on the need to offer more support for military families and helping all parents struggling to support their children.“With her achievement it will be hard for her not to be a strong First Lady,” said Dianne Bystrom, director of the Iowa State University Catt Center for Women and Politics. “I don’t see that she will resort to playing a behind-the-scenes role. I don’t think it is in her makeup and I don’t think its part of her marital role.”

She has high energy and the ability to multitask, said Debbie Walsh, director of Rutgers’ Center for American Women and Politics.

Many speculate that the country’s fascination with Obama’s sense of style may make her the next Jackie O, but experts said she unlikely sees herself as a fashionista and would not consciously play up that role.

However, as the country’s first black first lady, she will have a very significant place in the nation’s history.

“One of the most important roles she can play is really changing the way Americans view black women,” said Keli Goff, an author and political analyst. “Presenting a strong, attractive black woman who is not sexualized, who is actually going to become first lady is incredibly powerful. Who they are as a family is just as important as whatever issues they take on policy wise.”

It's official: Sen. Clinton will be named secretary of state

Sunday November 30, 2008 12:49 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

They looked liked bitter enemies during the campaign, but now it’s official: Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are a team.

Tomorrow, Clinton will be announced as President-elect Obama’s choice for secretary of state, after a deal was struck with Bill Clinton over his charitable foundation.

“I am thrilled that Sen. Clinton is going to be our new secretary of state,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan). “As senator and as First Lady she has represented what is best about our country.”

The choice comes amid growing speculation about who’ll fill Clinton’s soon-to-be vacated senate seat.

Gov. David Paterson, a fellow Democrat who will appoint her replacement, has given no indication of whom he will choose and many believe he’s still weighing his options. Front-runners include Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Queens), and Rep. Kristen Gillibrand (D-Hudson), among many others.

To pave the way for Hillary, former President Clinton agreed to release the names of donors to his foundation, step away from its day-to-day management and refuse donations from foreign governments to the annual Clinton Global Initiative, among other restrictions.

The former president had long refused to disclose the identities of contributors, saying many gave on the condition of anonymity.Sen. Richard Luger, (R-Ind.), the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, said there will be “legitimate questions” raised about the former president’s extensive international involvement, but said he would vote to confirm Hillary Clinton.

The announcement, to be made at a news conference tomorrow morning in Chicago, is part of a rollout of Obama’s national security team, which will include Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, who will keep his current job, and retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones, who will be appointed national security adviser.

A report over the weekend said Clinton had turned down an offer to chair the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, a perch that has been used to funnel huge amounts of federal money to senators’ home states.

Rep. Peter King, (R-Massapequa), said he did not believe turning down that post would prove a blow to New York and its ailing economy.

“The appropriations committee is important day-to-day but I think she does more for New York and the country as secretary of state,” he said.

“I think it’s an excellent choice,” he added. “Hillary Clinton’s a Democrat and I’m a Republican but I have great regard for her ability. I consider her a centrist.”

(The AP contributed to this report)

Councilwoman Jessica Lappin may run for public advocate

Thursday November 27, 2008 10:29 AM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

City Councilwoman Jessica Lappin may throw her hat in the ring for public advocate, a member of her staff said.

Lappin (D-Manhattan) is “strongly considering” joining a crowded field to replace Betsy Gotbaum, who does not plan to seek re-election, according to the staff member.

Also expected to run in the Democratic primary next year are Council members Eric Gioia, (D-Sunnyside); Bill de Blasio, (D-Brooklyn); John Liu, (D-Flushing); attorney Norman Siegel and Assemb. Adam Clayton Powell, (D-Manhattan).

Lappin, 33, served as chief of staff to former Council Speaker Gifford Miller before winning election in 2005. She represents the Upper East Side.

In an interview last week, before she made her intentions for higher office known, Lappin said she has spent her time in the council pushing for more park space, tightened safety regulations for construction cranes and more schools in her district.

The public advocate, a position created in 1993, presides over City Council meetings and serves as an ombudsman for city government.

It is one of two citywide elected offices expected to open up next year, as City Comptroller William Thompson plans to run for mayor.

How lame of a duck is Bush?

Tuesday November 25, 2008 2:25 PM By Pete Catapano

By Pete Catapano

Are Americans aware that the man in the White House is still named Bush?

As the economy spirals, it seems that Americans and the media are looking toward President-elect Barack Obama for the solutions, even though he doesn’t have any authority yet, seemingly pushing President George W. Bush to hyper-lame-duck status.

Yesterday, Obama named his top economic advisers, while promising to jolt the economy as the market had its third-straight up day.

However, Bush may have a lot more clout, thanks to the crisis, that many realize, some watchers say.

“He has no influence, but a fair amount of power,” said Patrick E. Egan, assistant professor of politics and public policy at New York University. “In a sense, Bush is one of the most consequential lame-duck presidents because of the $700 billion in bailout money he’s put under the control of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson.”Just by looking at the poll numbers and feeling the way the wind blows, it’s not so surprising that Obama’s getting the attention; Bush currently has an approval rating of 20 percent according to the latest CBS poll, while the president-elect is still riding the wave of his historic victory.

As company after company gets on their knees in Washington begging for billions in bailout money, houses are foreclosed or have plummeting values and the unemployment rolls get bloated, it’s hard for many to turn to Bush for the solution.

In fact, some columnists are telling Bush to step down now and let Obama start putting his plans in place.

In a New York Times op-ed last week, columnist Gail Collins said the president and Cheney should resign because “Bush … hasn’t got the clout, or possibly even the energy, to do anything useful.”

Egan added that during the most presidential transitions, the administration is usually just “winding down,” but while the public is readying for a President Obama, what Bush is doing under these circumstances can’t be ignored.

“We’re in a crisis and that requires day-to-day management and response,” he said. “While the public is ready to move on, Bush is still in control and making big decisions every day.”

New York's well-off: Yes, we can pay taxes

Sunday November 23, 2008 3:55 PM By Emily Ngo

Though Kevin Johnson will likely feel the income tax bite under Obama, he has donated time and money to the Democrat's campaign. (RJ Mickelson/amNY)

By Emily Ngo

Kevin Johnson cast a ballot for Barack Obama knowing he was likely casting away thousands of his own tax dollars.

The 31-year-old radiologist believes the price is worth a stronger America.

“It’s a shared sacrifice and a shared responsibility,” said Johnson, a Manhattan resident and a member of the 3,200-strong Doctors for Obama group. “I’m fully aware of what it will cost me, but this much is expected of us.”

While the vast majority of working Americans would see tax relief under President-elect Obama’s plan, 5 percent — individuals earning more than $200,000 and households earning more than $250,000 — would see a significant hike. If Obama’s proposal becomes reality, taxes for the top two income tiers would rise from 33 percent and 35 percent to 36 percent and 39.6 percent.

Still, Obama’s appeal has resounded with the well-off. Americans in the $200,000-plus bracket voted for the nation’s first black president over John McCain 52 percent to 46 percent, according to CNN. Celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Warren Buffett who would pay millions more in income taxes, turned out in droves to elect the Democrat. And support groups such as Young American Scientists for Obama and Investment Bankers for Obama popped up on the Internet.

“The notion that at the national level rich people vote for Republicans because they cut their taxes, it’s just wrong,” said Daniel Gross, an economics expert with Newsweek and Slate. “For a lot of well-off people, there’s a lot more to life than marginal tax rates and capital gains.“In New York, all the biggest private equity and hedge fund people, like Bob Rubin, they’re always Democrats,” Gross added.

Overwhelmingly liberal New York, with its higher cost of living and higher concentration of young professionals, probably will feel a bigger tax bite than the rest of the nation. Obama would raise the taxes of affluent New Yorkers by at least $16 billion during the next two years, resulting in a net state payout of $3 billion after his pledged credits and subsidies, according to the Manhattan Institute.

About 10.5 percent of the state’s taxpayers earned more than $200,000 in 2006, compared to the 5 percent national rate, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

“The upper-middle class in New York isn’t worried about taxes because there are so many other things promised by Obama,” said “Grand New Party” co-author Reihan Salam, who warns Obama supporters may not be as happy with the circumstantial alternative minimum tax.

“Republicans were stupid to just talk about taxes all the time,” Salam said.

Health care, abortion rights, stem cell research, gay rights and climate control were among the issues that attracted voters to Obama.

“This is a good time to look at the bigger picture,” said Allan Kessel, a 39-year-old Brooklyn doctor who admitted some colleagues were deterred by Obama’s tax plan. “If there were no major, major extraneous issues, we would have a lot more upper-income people voting based on their economic self-interest.”

Manhattan attorney Steven Newmark said he kept the faltering economy in mind when he and Young Lawyers for Obama helped to raise more than $1.4 million for the president-elect’s campaign.

“Perhaps one of the reasons Barack won is because so few people do meet that description” of an affluent American, argued 31-year-old Newmark. “A person’s wealth is not just measured in how much they pay in taxes, there are always other issues involved.

“If he does nothing else, I believe President Obama will restore competence to government and hopefully restore confidence in government, and that alone is an important achievement,” Newmark said.

High hopes and expectations for the Obama administration overshadow the tax issue, Johnson echoed. “He’s come up with a system that’s more palatable to Republicans and to Democrats — something that we can all rally around,” he said. “This is a new and refreshing way to govern.”

Pols offer money solutions for MTA

Sunday November 23, 2008 3:47 PM By Ryan Chatelain

By Marlene Naanes

With a month to go before the MTA board votes on a huge fare hike and draconian service cuts, elected officials are scrambling to give the agency money-generating ideas to stave off the drastic measures.

To help fill the transit agency’s expected $1.2 billion deficit next year, Comptroller William Thompson proposed yesterday creating a new vehicle registration fee to generate about $365 million in new funds for the MTA. City Council Members Eric Gioia (D-Sunnyside) and David Yassky (D-Brooklyn) suggested the MTA could sell or lease some of its priciest or underused real estate.

“Instead of asking subway and bus riders who can least afford it to dig deeper into emptier pockets for less service, we need imaginative ideas that will ensure that those who benefit from a healthy transit system pay their fair share,” Thompson said at a news conference outside Grand Central Terminal.Thompson, who is running for mayor, proposed adding a weight-based vehicle registration fee that would raise $100 per vehicle weighing 2,300 pounds or less plus nine cents for every extra pound. He will submit his proposal today to the Ravitch Commission, a governor-appointed body charged with finding funding for the MTA. It will reveal its recommendations on Dec. 5.

Under the plan, a small vehicle such as a Toyota Yaro would cost $100 and a Lincoln Navigator would cost $430—in addition to an existing bi-yearly $30 vehicle use tax and a smaller weight-based state registration fee.

The annual fee would also be an incentive for people to buy smaller, more fuel-efficient cars and could be coupled with a parking-zone regulation that only allows city-registered vehicles to park overnight, he said.

The comptroller’s office said a similar transit-funding registration fee exists in Seattle. Transit advocates commended the plan and urged the Ravitch Commission and lawmakers to approve it.

“The share that riders pay of the transit’s systems cost is going to go up from 69 percent which is the highest by far in the nation already to 83 percent, putting a hard burden on the riding public,” said Straphangers Campaign staff attorney Gene Russianoff. “It’s really a choice we can either pay a lot more for one of these to get a lot less service...or we can look to smart ways to come up with money to keep the system whole.”

Gioia and Yassky proposed yesterday that the MTA could use its properties more efficiently, noting that maintaining the agency’s Madison Avenue headquarters is an inefficient use of the public’s money. They suggested that the building could be leased for $1,047.40 per square foot, and should be sold or leased.

Gioia is running for public advocate, and Yassky is a candidate for comptroller.

Another property the MTA leases from the city at Jay Street in Brooklyn is largely vacant, the councilmen said. The councilmen also called on the MTA to release a report that they say details the value of all the agency’s real estate and suggests that it sell or lease some to plug budget gaps.

An MTA spokesman said revenue-generating opportunities with the agency’s real estate are limited because many facilities are run under lease and are not actually owned by the MTA. Of Thompson’s idea, the agency said: “We are working cooperatively with the Ravitch Commission … and appreciate the support of all elected officials who have proposed ideas for funding the transportation network.”

Cuomo seen as top contender for senate seat

Sunday November 23, 2008 2:18 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

With Sen. Hillary Clinton all but assured of getting the nod to become President-elect Barack Obama’s secretary of state, the speculation now is that New York’s attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, is the front-runner to be her replacement.

One news Website, examiner.com, proclaimed Cuomo the “all but certain” choice for the seat, though several people yesterday cautioned that the report is jumping the gun.

“I think you have to take the governor at his word that he will make a decision when the vacancy occurs,” said Evan Stavisky, a Democratic political consultant based in New York.

By all accounts, Gov. David Paterson, who will appoint Clinton’s replacement, is keeping it close to the vest. As he eyes his own re-election bid in two years, Paterson needs to consider crucial political constituencies — upstate voters, the state’s Hispanic political leadership, and women.

“Getting Cuomo out of the state may be wise for Paterson,” said Bruce Berg, chairman of the political science department at Fordham University.

Cuomo ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2002 and has been viewed as a possible rival to Paterson in 2010.Berg also suggested Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn), one of the other names that have cropped up repeatedly.

“She might do far more for Paterson’s re-election chances in gaining support from Hispanic New Yorkers,” he said.

A Paterson spokeswoman today did not respond to a request for comment and the governor has said publicly only that he will not select himself.

“At this point, it’s all speculation,” said John Milgram, Cuomo’s press secretary.

A Marist poll released last week showed Cuomo with the support of 43 percent of respondents, far higher than the other contenders in the survey: Velazquez, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Happaugue), Rep. Nita Lowey (D-White Plains) and Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens).

amNY series, day two: Keeping an eye on crime

Wednesday November 19, 2008 7:19 PM By Rolando Pujol

With the economy in free fall, amNewYork examines how the budget crisis might impact the city's quality of life. This is day two of a three-day series. Read the first-day installments: Preventing a 70s decline, Breslin Q&A, and Henican column.

By Marlene Naanes

Murder, rape, and robbery citywide are up slightly this year, and while it’s impossible to say what’s driving the increases, residents in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn have a theory: It’s the economy, stupid.

“This neighborhood has really gentrified really rapidly, and coupled with the economy, crime has gone up,” said Michael Jester, 27, who has witnessed violent robberies and has a friend who was beaten for her iPod, cell phone and purse. “I feel there’s a real tension in the past year. They seem to be getting a lot more brazen in the middle of the day.”

Experts will tell you that a tanking economy does not necessarily mean crime rates will soar, and said it’s too soon to draw a correlation this early into the economic crisis.

Still, observers note that crime remains at historic lows, and there is little reason to believe we are at the start of a precipitous safety decline. But Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to combat city deficits by cutting a police academy class next year undoubtedly will be felt on the streets."We will be at the lowest level on the police force since I came to the council in 1997," Councilman Vincent Gentile (D-Brooklyn) said at a recent budget hearing. "It's a dangerous game to play when public safety is compromised."

The police force is about 36,000 strong and could drop to 34,000 with recruit class cuts, according to Councilman Peter Vallone (D-Queens), chair of the council public safety committee. It peaked at 41,000 during the Giuliani administration. About 1,100 cadets would have been in the police academy class.

“I can tell you that the police commissioner and the fire commissioner's job is to do more with less and I think they are more than up to it,” Bloomberg said recently. “The police commissioner's job, if you remember, was made particularly difficult when we came into office and he had to do more with 3,000 fewer cops and he brought crime down.”

Councilwoman Letitia James, a Democrat who represents Clinton Hill and Fort Greene, is not so sure. She recently started a task force to combat a spike in robberies, burglaries and other crimes in the area. In fact, she plans to organize neighborhood crime watches.

“Call me in six months,” she said. “I would have to sound the alarm because I do not want to return to the days of the seventies when the quality of life was an issue in Brooklyn.”

Areas in the city that have seen increases in crime include Staten Island’s 123rd Precinct, where community leaders contend a rapid growth in population is partially to blame.

Too many guns on the street have led to spates in violent crimes in areas around South Jamaica, according to the community board there where crime is up almost 9 percent in the 113th Precinct.

The police department did not respond to requests for comment on the specific increases but said in a statement: “Crime in New York City continues to decrease to record levels.”

Some experts said that increases in crime can be statistically misleading when the number of crimes committed is low.

Richard Aborn, a crime expert and former president of the Citizens Crime Commission of New York City, said it’s too soon to tell if hot spots will remain hot through the end of the year, and if the economy or police class cuts will affect crime next year.

“The NYPD is very skilled at watching crime trends and tamper them down quickly,” he said. “We don’t know which way it will go yet. A blip is not a trend.”

Jason Fink contributed to this report.

Some luck can get you into Obama's inauguration

Sunday November 16, 2008 2:51 PM By Pete Catapano

By Marlene Naanes

So many New Yorkers want to go Barack Obama’s historic inauguration that Sen. Charles Schumer’s office has already gotten more than 100,000 phone calls from people asking for tickets.

Other elected officials have also reported getting thousands of requests.

Schumer announced yesterday he would hold a statewide Internet lottery to distribute 350 free tickets as fairly as possible.

“The election of Barack Obama caused huge excitement and the excitement continues because it seems just about everybody would like to go to the inauguration,” Schumer said at a news conference yesterday. “When you get so many different requests and hear so many different good reasons there’s no good way to do this other than a lottery, which will be perfectly fair and perfectly democratic.”The opportunities to make money for the tickets are so great eBay and StubHub banned reselling tickets on their sites. Apparently the sites made the move after Sen. Dianne Feinstein heard the tickets were being auctioned for five-figure price tags and began writing legislation to make it a crime to resell them.

Schumer’s office has received 1,000 calls a day asking for inauguration tickets and he said a lottery will prevent selling off tickets by printing the winners’ names on them.

About 240,000 people are expected to attend Obama’s inauguration on Jan. 20 at the U.S. Capitol.

The deadline to apply for Schumer’s lottery is Nov. 30 and the random drawing will be held on Dec. 5. People can ask for one or two tickets through the senator’s Web site, or by fax at 202-228-3027.

The office of Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan) has also received thousands of inquiries for tickets so far but it’s unclear how her office will distribute them. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn) received so many requests by phone that his office set up a special function on its Web site and is also considering a lottery.

“They keep coming in,” said Nadler spokesman Ilan Kayatsky. “There’s definitely been an incredible amount of interest.”

The Cover Story: Giuliani looking to make a comeback?

Sunday November 16, 2008 2:17 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani may now have his sights set on Albany and is also not discounting a second shot at the White House.

With the state Republican party badly wounded following this month’s Democratic landslide, the hard-charging former two-term mayor is emerging as the favorite to lead the GOP back to power as a candidate for governor in 2010.

“He’s an impact player, he’s a game changer,” said Assemb. James Tedisco (R-Schenectady), the minority leader. “He could put the Republicans back on the map.”

Asked about the possibility of a gubernatorial run following a speech in Dubai, Giuliani left the door open.

“I don’t know if I’d be interested in it, but I’ll think about it when the right time comes along,” he said.

“No one knows whether you’ll do something again until you come to the point of: ‘Is it possible to do it again? Would you have a chance of winning?’” he said of a second White House bid.

Even if he decides to return to public service, there are doubts as to whether Giuliani could translate his strength as a tough law-and-order mayor into votes when Americans are now more concerned about the economy and jobs than about crime and terrorism.

“It’s very clear after the last election that it’s the economy. He’s going to have to focus on that,” said John Friscia, chairman of the Staten Island Republican Party.And at a time when “change” and “unity” are the political buzzwords of the day, Giuliani’s reputation for divisiveness could hurt him as well.

“Rudy’s problem is he doesn’t like people,” said former Mayor Ed Koch, who added that he will support Gov. David Paterson for re-election.

“He divided the city when he was mayor,” said Angela Darkins of Queens. “He got all the glory for 9/11, but he was just doing his job. The whole thing of using terrorism as propaganda is horrible."

Riding a surge of popularity following the 9/11 attacks, Giuliani vaulted to the front of the pack of Republican presidential candidates last year before stumbling in the Florida primary, where he had pinned virtually all his hopes.

“His presidential primary campaign came as close as you can come to an unmitigated disaster,” said Douglas Muzzio, a professor at the Baruch College School of Public Affairs. “He became a strident pit bull against the Democratic candidate and that will come back to haunt him.”

Despite his past missteps, even Giuliani’s critics agree he is still a force to contend with should he run for governor.

“Without question he is the most formidable Republican candidate,” Koch said.

Howard Singleton, 56, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, credits Giuliani with “cleaning the city up.”

“He’s done a good job in New York City, so I’d vote for him,” Singleton said.

Amanda Magnus and the Associated Press contributed to this report

Mr. Bloomberg goes to Washington

Sunday November 16, 2008 1:28 PM By Jason Fink

Associated Press photo

By Jason Fink

Mayor Michael Bloomberg will be in Washington tomorrow lobbying top congressional leaders and members of President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team on how to spend federal money to shore up the economy.

Bloomberg plans to tell Obama transition officials that rather than earmarking dollars for specific roads, bridges and mass transit projects, the new president should set aside a pot of money for infrastructure.

“If we’re going to be spending money to boost our economy, we should be investing in infrastructure that will pay dividends down the road,” said Stu Loeser, mayoral spokesman.Loeser said the mayor will not advocate for spending on specific projects, such as the city’s subways or bridges.

“There will be time to argue those things on the merits,” he said.

Bloomberg will also meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada); Sen.-elect Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), the chairman of the House Financial Service Committee, which wields influence over the spending of the recently-passed $700 billion bailout package.

Loeser said Bloomberg would express concern that industries other than financial services are now lining up in hopes of getting a portion of that money.

“Our primary goal is obviously to protect New York’s biggest employers,” Loeser said.

New White House seeking employees

Monday November 10, 2008 1:58 PM By Jason Fink

By Jason Fink

With the economy tanking and employers everywhere tightening their belts, one outfit is definitely hiring.

It’s got about 8,000 openings, will look great on your resume and has a reputable address: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team is now asking for applicants online, and New Yorkers, many of whom were so excited to see him elected, may get their chance to go to Washington and put their ideals into action.

New Yorker Alison Winfield, who volunteered for the Obama campaign, said she has already filled out a form on Obama’s transition Web site, www.change.gov, to receive a job application.

“My interest is in community service and working for the common good,” said Winfield, who graduated Columbia University in 2005 with degrees in astronomy and visual arts.Though many of the big-ticket positions, such as cabinet secretaries, will be selected from the rarefied world of former senators, governors and Fortune 500 CEOs, there will literally be thousands of lower-level positions in all departments of the new Obama administration.

And though the application process is in its infancy — the actual applications are not even available yet — one career counselor says it might be a good place for a recent college grad to look.

“We’re telling our students to think outside the box a little bit,” said Diana Gruverman, the director of employer services at NYU. “If you were hoping for a job on Wall Street or elsewhere in finance, maybe that’s not going to happen right now so we’re encouraging people to look at government.”

Dan O’Brien, 25, a student at Columbia’s Teachers College, said he has a friend who went to work for the Obama campaign after losing his job at Lehman Brothers. His friend now hopes to go work for the new administration, he said.

“Some of my friends are in the wait-and-see phase for applying to work for the government,” he said.

Hank Sheinkopf, a political consultant who worked for former President Bill Clinton, agreed that turmoil in the private sector might draw more people to government jobs.

“It’s a good place to go to wait this out until the next shoe drops,” he said.

Of course, the best shot for employment is knowing someone on the inside, and one of the most important qualifications will be political loyalty, experts say.

“They will want people who have publicly supported Obama,” said Kathryn Dunn Tenpas, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute.

But even if an applicant falls short this time, Tenpas said, the executive branch of the federal government is notorious for quick turnover and opportunities will likely come again.

“The whole personnel process never ends, the window is open all the time,” she said.

Amanda Magnus contributed to this story

Obama's years in New York left lasting impression on colleagues

Sunday November 9, 2008 1:24 PM By Jason Fink

Barack Obama at the CUNY office of the New York Public Interest Research Group with colleague Diana Mitsu Klos. Photo by Alison Kelley

By Jason Fink

When 23-year-old Barack Obama, then a recent Columbia graduate, walked into the office of the New York Public Interest Research Group after answering an ad for a job, his supervisor had a warning for him.

“I told him he would make less than $10,000 a year,” said Eileen Hershenov, who was the downstate campus coordinator for NYPIRG. “He laughed and told me that was a step up for him.”

As president-elect Obama prepares to move into the White House, relatively little is known about his five years in New York in the early ’80s. It was a period of transition for Obama, a time of soul-searching and uncertainty. It was also when Obama first worked full-time as a community organizer, a role that would define his young life and help shape his political outlook.As a project coordinator for NYPIRG on the City College of New York campus in Harlem for three months in 1985, Obama spent hours with students in the trailer that served as the group’s office just below 140th Street and Convent Avenue, giving lessons on how to organize rallies and letter-writing campaigns, how to speak to legislators and lobby for change in public policy.

Former colleagues recall a “fabulously intelligent” and confident young man who was intensely interested in the idea of creating political change from the ground up, an idea that would resurface years later in his meteoric political rise.

He stood apart from some of the more radical students on campus, they said, and believed strongly in working within the system.

“He had a seriousness of purpose,” recalled Diana Mitsu Klos, then a school organizer working out of the CCNY office. “His tenure was brief but anyone who met him received a strong and lasting impression.”

Obama worked that spring semester, from February through late May, on several NYPIRG projects, including the Straphangers Campaign.

Alison Kelley, who was a sophomore at CCNY and later became board chairman for NYPIRG, remembers working with Obama to improve the City College subway station at 137th Street and Broadway, which was dirty and had poor lighting. Kelley said she remembers Obama's tenure at NYPIRG as being in the spring semester of 1984.

On May 1, Obama and others traveled to different stations as part of a “May Day” push to bring attention to the system’s problems and get people to sign letters addressed to local officials and the MTA.

She said he was among the early leaders in the successful push to get CUNY to divest itself of holdings in apartheid South Africa. He also led voter registration drives and campaigns to keep tuition down at CUNY.

“We had other organizers who were competent people but he really stood out,” said Kelley. “Everyone knew that he was going to do something remarkable.”

While admiration and respect for Obama was no doubt inspired by the work he did, Kelley said for some of those around him, it went a little further.

“I had a crush on him," she said. "Every single female had a crush on him.”

Still, Kelley and others said they sensed a restlessness in the future president, a desire to begin a new chapter. Obama has written little about his life in New York; he has described his years at Columbia as a time of isolation and was once quoted as saying he lived “like a monk.”

Shortly after working for NYPIRG, Obama moved to Chicago.

When he told Hershenov he was leaving, she literally got down on her knees and begged him to stay, she said.

“I wanted him to stay because he could appeal to so many different people,” Hershenov said. “People who were very interested in identity politics, people who were apolitical and people on the left and the right. He appealed to students across a political spectrum.”

Joe the Plumber is now Joe the Drinker

Sunday November 9, 2008 12:12 PM By Julie Gordon

Joe the Plumber (real name Samuel Wurzelbacher) had quite the New York nightlife experience on Saturday night.

Wurzelbacher and pals got lost en route to Jay-Z’s high-class 40/40 club, stopping at Flatiron bar Live Bait for a pit stop and directions before evenutally finding their way to the club, he told us on Sunday via phone from Cincinnati. The two bars are a few blocks from each other.

“Wow, it’s intense,” said Wurzelbacher, describing the city’s scene. “It’s just a lot for a country boy.”

The country’s most famous “plumber” said 40/40 was a blast, he liked the music “everybody was super nice” and his name was even announced over the loudspeaker.

Wurzelbacher was in town taping a guest spot on Mike Huckabee’s FOX News show.Also spotted this weekend:

Celebrity chef Mario Batali almost getting hit by a car while crossing West Fourth Street at Sixth Avenue on Friday afternoon.

“Gossip Girl” star Jessica Szhor hanging out at the Lucky Shops event with her family, who were visiting from Wisconsin.

Obama win could open other doors for minorities

Wednesday November 5, 2008 4:23 PM By Ryan Chatelain

By Ryan Chatelain

For many civil rights leaders, electing a black president was the pinnacle in their fight for equality. But Barack Obama’s historic victory Tuesday may spur political breakthroughs for other minority groups, observers say.

An Obama presidency could open the door for more minorities in public office, prompt the rest of the world to re-evaluate perceptions of African-Americans and perhaps, oddly enough, encourage a sizable number of blacks to join the Republican Party.

“Obama’s victory signals to black Americans and to every American that race ain’t what it used to be,” said Michael Meyers, executive director of the New York Civil Rights Coalition. “I can’t tell you how many people really thought that people would not go out and vote for him because of his race.”

Keli Goff, an author and political analyst, said that once Americans, even those in largely white communities, grow accustomed to having a black president, it could pave the way for others’ political careers.“It makes it a heck of a lot easier to not mind having a black sheriff in your small suburban town or a black superintendent in your school district that is predominantly white,” Goff said. “It makes a lot of things a lot more palatable because it’s not going to look so strange if the president that you see on television every single day is a black man.”

Blacks aren’t the only minority group who could benefit from Obama’s win.

“I think it gives us the aspiration to seek higher public office beyond city council or district leader or Congress,” said Elba Montalvo, executive director for the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, a nonprofit group.

Calvin O. Butts III, a civil rights activist and pastor of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church, even suggested that the GOP could soon see an influx of black members.

“It’s no longer a racial thing,” he said. “Now people can really start arguing from the point of view of issues.

“There are a lot of black people who say, ‘I’m conservative like some of the people on the right, and now I don’t have to make bones about being a black man.’ ”

Sherry Wright, 44, a Harlem resident, said she believes a successful Obama presidency could change the way the world views African-Americans. She specifically mentioned the stereotype of the deadbeat absent father, addressed by Obama in his Father’s Day speech this year.

“It’s so important that other cultures respect us as black people,” Wright said.

Lauren Johnston contributed to this report.

(Photo by Getty Images)

Hope, and some skepticism, in NYC about Obama

Wednesday November 5, 2008 2:49 PM By Pete Catapano

Sherri Wright of Harlem celebrates Obama’s victory. (RJ Mickelson/amNY)

By Benjamin Sarlin

As election night excitement gave way to thoughts of how Barack Obama would govern as president, New Yorkers expressed their hopes and fears for the next administration, often divided along lines of age and race.

In his victory speech, Obama proclaimed that “change has come to America” and many young New Yorkers said they were hopeful the country would reach new heights under his leadership – even if it might take a while to get there.

“I feel that from now on, something big will happen. It’s something we all have to share and it won’t be overnight,” Shaidyn Cedeno, 22, an electronic design student at City College said. She added that she was “willing to wait” while the presidents’ policies were implemented.

Hannah Gold, 21, a junior studying political science at Hunter College, said she did not expect instant results and was glad that Obama used his victory speech to warn Americans that change would take “more than one year and more than one term.”

“I’m going to be really patient with him, change takes a lot of time,” Gold said. For Gold, change meant improving America’s image around the world, where President Bush’s policies have alienated many former allies. “I want to earn the respect of other countries again,” she said.Harlem resident Lion Thornton, 26, said he was hopeful Obama could follow through on his campaign promises.

“I think he can. I don’t know if he will, but I think he can,” Thornton said, “It’s politics, so you never know.”

Among their grandparents’ (and great-grandparents’) generation, however, many expressed fear of the coming Obama presidency.

Ray Salzillo, 98, said she was “not in favor” of Obama, largely due to suspicions about the president-elect’s race.

“He will help only his own people,” Salzillo said as she watched news of the election from Steinway Senior Center in Astoria yesterday, “I hope the people of his race will mind their business and not bother the whites.”

Several elderly white residents in her neighborhood expressed pessimism that Obama’s policies would match his rhetoric.

“I have no hope,” said Jon Jacobi, 82, a Croatian immigrant, “The economy is very bad and he’s just going to become a scapegoat for big business.”

“I saw the Depression and two World Wars and I think he does not know what he’s talking about,” said one 91-year old woman, “I just don’t like this world today.”

For Carol Mitchell, 68, an African-American woman, however, expectations for Obama were high on hopes that the country was moving past racial and religious divisions.

“I feel wonderful,” Mitchell said, “I’ve been waiting for things to change a long time. We have to live together, all races and religions, and we’re going to join together to make a better America. We’re in the right frame of mind.”

In New Delhi, New Yorkers savor Obama's win

Wednesday November 5, 2008 2:46 PM By Rolando Pujol

Expats watch the returns at the swank coffee shop Choka La in south Delhi. Below, a girl shows her U.S. pride. (Kristen V. Brown)

By Kristen V. Brown

Special to amNewYork

Tucked away on a dusty side street of a deserted New Delhi shopping center, 100 or so Obama fans crammed into a small coffee house, eyes fixed firmly on CNN reporters as the West Coast polls neared closing.

With all the fervor of New Year’s Eve – party hats, Statue of Liberty tiaras and all – the entire room counted down the seconds. At 10:30 a.m. Indian Standard Time, CNN declared Barack Obama the next president of the United States. The Democrats of India’s capitol city went wild.

“Don’t you feel proud as a country,” asked Priya Malhotra, a New Yorker and Indian native on a visit home.

Karsten Thomas Strauss, a Columbia University graduate student interning at The Economic Times in Delhi, was elated.

“Being here with other Americans is great,” said Strauss. “The crowd has kind of exploded here, you wouldn’t find this kind of energy sitting at just any coffee bar in Delhi.”According to the U.S. State Department’s 2005 estimates, 6.6 million Americans live abroad, making the overseas constituency the size of the 13th largest state, after Virginia. Of those, 57,000 expat voters reside in South Asian countries like India, where more than 500 voters watched the election in India's major cities.

The morning election watch was just one in a series of election events hosted by the Indian chapter of Democrats Abroad, the official overseas branch of the U.S. Democratic Party.

Earlier this season the group registered American voters in Delhi’s bustling Khan market, broadcast the debates, and played games like Palin bingo (yelling bingo every time Palin used words like “hockey mom” and “Joe six pack” during the VP debate).

This year Carolyn Sauvage-Mar, a Fort Green transplant and chair of Democrats Abroad India, served as one of the eight voting members of the worldwide group at the Democratic National Convention.

“Basically, we connect Americans to the politics back home,” said Sauvage-Mar, who helped found the India chapter of Democrats Abroad in 2004.

Back then, she notes there wereas just four members. Yesterday, however, the swank coffee shop Choka La in south Delhi was jam-packed with American and Obama supporters from around the world, flailing their arms and waving “Vote Obama” posters in excitement as CNN International projected state after state going to the Democrats.

“It’s an electrifying moment, I think this is a victory not just for America, but for everyone in the world,” said Sourish Bhattacharyya, an Indian Obama supporter and executive editor of local paper, Mail Today.

Cheers erupted from the audience once more as Obama included “those watching tonight from beyond our shores,” in his acceptance speech dedication.

“It’s been a long road,” said Sauvage-Mar, sipping her victory Champagne.

Who said print is dead? It's alive and well when the headlines tout Obama's victory

Wednesday November 5, 2008 12:44 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Benjamin Sarlin

Unable to find a copy of Wednesday’s New York Times with news of Barack Obama's historic victory on the cover?

You're not alone: Copies flew off newsstands as fast as they arrived and the paper was sold out at stores throughout the city by mid-morning.

Copies of the Daily News, New York Post, and amNewYork were also in short supply, quickly snapped up by New Yorkers looking for news and perhaps details on the election and souvenir to remember it by. (The Times printed 50,000 more copies Wednesday afternoon.)

The demand for Nov. 5 papers was so great that it even spawned a lucrative market on eBay.

One copy of the New York Times had drawn a bid of $100 yesterday afternoon – a markup of over 6,000 percent from its original $1.50 price – and many other city papers were attracting bids of $10 or more on the auction Web site.

For political junkies: Now the withdrawal

Wednesday November 5, 2008 12:34 PM By Rolando Pujol

Does your living room look like this? (AP)

By Jason Fink

For those New Yorkers whose ideal Friday night date has become MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and her wry smirk, or were riveted when John King worked his magic on CNN’s slick wall-mounted electoral map, the end of the election means one thing: Campaign withdrawal.

Though millions across the city cheered and danced in the streets after Barack Obama won the presidency, an undercurrent of anxiety permeated the excitement. After all, the presidential campaign that began more than a year ago and has since dominated cable news and the blogosphere virtually 24/7 is now over.

“It’s kind of taken over my life,” said William Harvey, 25, of Washington Heights. “There will be withdrawal. I’m kind of addicted to it.”

Harvey, a violinist and staunch Obama supporter, said during the long campaign season he spent two to four hours a day reading political coverage on the Internet. He conceded the end of the election will free up more time to practice his instrument but said it might negatively impact his social life.

“There are some people who I won’t know what to talk about with,” he said.Dr. Petros Levounis, director of the Addiction Institute of New York at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital, said such obsessions stimulate the pleasure-reward pathways in the brain, working in a similar way to drugs or alcohol.

“There’s no question that someone can develop a strong habit in following these political campaigns,” Levounis said. “And when the campaign is over, they get a sense of emptiness, or a letdown, something missing in their lives.”

He said doctors had seen similar reactions to TV shows such as “American Idol.”

Max Alvarez, 38, an Upper West Side resident, began the long campaign season last year as a supporter of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in the Democratic primaries. When Richardson dropped out, he switched to Hillary Clinton and then, last week, knocked on doors in Pennsylvania for Obama.

“The day after (the election), I think I’m going to sleep,” Alvarez said last night during a rally in Harlem for Obama. “After that, I guess I’ll have to find something else to talk about, something else to update my Facebook page with.”

While the die-hard political junkies are feeling let down at the end of what must have been the most discussed and dissected election in modern history, the professionals know there is always another race around the corner.

Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic political consultant and veteran of Bill Clinton’s 1996 campaign, offered tips for what he called “post-electoral depression.”

“Get out of town,” he advised. “Don’t look at the television for a while, forget about politics and have a nice meal and a bottle of wine with someone you like.”

Coverage of the campaign last night on CNN in Times Sqaure. AP photo

Mayor Bloomberg to cut jobs; new cop class

Wednesday November 5, 2008 6:18 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

NEW YORK (AP) — No mayor in recent history has abruptly canceled the new class of police officers amid a budget crisis, but it is one of many extreme moves that Mayor Michael Bloomberg is making as he steers the city through an economic slowdown.Bloomberg was set to outline an update to the $59 billion budget

plan on Wednesday that slashes jobs and spending in an attempt to

bridge billion-dollar deficits, according to an administration

official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the

announcement had not been made.

The sobering news includes the decision not to start a new class

of more than 1,000 police cadets this January. The police

department will go without those officers, and the next class will

begin in July. It is an unusual decision for a mayor — during tough

times in the early 1990s, both Mayor David Dinkins and Rudy

Giuliani delayed the start date of academy classes by a few months,

but did not cancel them entirely.

Asked Tuesday about what he would announce in his budget update,

Bloomberg said the city is “going to have some tough times, but

I’m confident that, together, we can get through it.”

Bloomberg has also been hinting for several months that a

temporary $1 billion property tax cut he implemented last year may

need to go. He is also cutting hundreds of jobs, closing dental

health clinics that serve poor children and reducing nighttime

staffing at five firehouses.

The work force will shrink by 3,000 employees: 500 through

layoffs and the rest through attrition, according to the official.

The updated budget plan will show that the city faces budget gaps

of $4 billion this year and next.

To help bridge those deficits, Bloomberg asked all city agencies

in September to come up with their own plans to cut spending by 2.5

percent this fiscal year, which ends next June, and additional cuts

of 5 percent the following year.

Those are targeted to save $500 million this year and $1 billion

in fiscal 2010.

Along with eliminating the new class of police cadets, the city

will cut 475 jobs in the education department. The majority are

central administrative jobs, and about 50 are in schools, but not

teachers.

The firefighting training academy will reduce its program from

23 weeks to 18 weeks to save operational costs. The mayor, who drew

criticism when he closed firehouses to save money during his first

term, also plans to eliminate nighttime engine companies in five

firehouses that also have ladder companies. The move allows those

firehouses to stay open but with fewer firefighters at night.

The Department of Health will close its dental health clinics

that serve some 17,000 poor children each year. Officials said the

city would rather not shut down the program, but lacking other

options they decided to eliminate a service that many families can

access through Medicaid.

Other cuts include eliminating 320 seasonal parks department

jobs and not filling 187 sanitation jobs dedicated to street

cleaning.

By using his budget knife on such key jobs and services,

Bloomberg is making some politically risky moves. It sets up a more

difficult environment as he prepares to run for re-election next

year.

The billionaire independent mayor last month announced that he

believes the city needs him to stay on past the end of 2009, when

his second term ends, to manage the long-term effects of the

financial crisis and economic downturn. In just a matter of weeks,

he persuaded the City Council to change the law that limited him

and other officeholders to two consecutive terms, and on Monday he

signed the bill allowing him to run for mayor again.

Bloomberg, who has enjoyed approval ratings in the 70s since his

re-election in 2005, may see those numbers fall back to the levels

of his first term, when he was making cuts and raising taxes to

help reverse the city’s post-Sept. 11 economic woes. His political

opponents will no doubt say the city cannot survive without the

programs and jobs he is cutting.

The mayor told reporters that his slimmed-down plan “certainly

is not going to be the last step.” If revenues fall more than what

is projected, he said, the city will take additional action.

Harlem still celebrating Obama victory

Wednesday November 5, 2008 6:10 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

Phitayaa McDonald, 19, center, joins others in cheering in support of President-elect Barack Obama on election day in the Harlem (AP Photo).

(AP) - The signs of celebration could still be seen in Harlem the day after Barack Obama’s historic presidential win.

In front of the handbag shop where she works, Ndeye Ndiaye, a native of Senegal, showed her joy as she danced. “Hurrah! He’s a good man and the 44th president is a black man,” she said.In front of the handbag shop where she works, Ndeye Ndiaye, a

native of Senegal, showed her joy as she danced. “Hurrah! He’s a

good man and the 44th president is a black man,” she said.

At a kiosk on Broadway and 125th Street, every copy of the New

York City newspapers marking the historic occasion was gone on

Wednesday morning. “No more papers — sold out!” said vendor

Miguel Estrada.

Ibrahim Sisse, another Senegal immigrant who works as a street

vendor, said Obama’s election gave him hope. “I have hope for

several reasons. I hope for everybody including my nephews. They

can have a higher rank in America. I hope for America, changing.”

On Tuesday night, traffic was bumper to bumper around the

neighborhood’s famed 125th Street with people popping out of

sunroofs to wave at pedestrians who clogged sidewalks and traffic

lanes. Honking car horns split the night air.

Near the historic Apollo Theater, men played conga drums as

revelers blew noisemakers.

The crowd, with many people wearing Obama buttons and T-shirts

and carrying U.S. flags, included elders who grew up under

segregation and young parents who brought their children to watch

the historic vote on TV screens.

Obama's win hits newspapers around the world

Wednesday November 5, 2008 5:43 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

The world was watching our historic presidential election, and here's how they see it:

Newspaper covers in Croatia. (AP Photo)

And in France (AP Photo)

Obama on newspaper covers in London. (Getty Images).

The Netherlands (AP Photo)

Mbr>From Lebanon (AP Photo)
The covers in Spain (AP Photo)

Covers in Turkey (AP Photo)

Kenya - Obama's father's home nation. (AP Photo)

CNN debuts hologram reporter

Tuesday November 4, 2008 3:37 PM By Rolando Pujol

The "hologram reporter" — Jessica Yellin speaking to Wolf Blitzer from Chicago (trippy) — was not well received in the amNY newsroom. Many an Obi Wan-Kenobi joke was made.

New York could see record voter turnout

Tuesday November 4, 2008 1:21 PM By Rolando Pujol

Voters wait in line outside the Convent Ave. Baptist Church in Harlem. AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

By Jason Fink

In what could be a record high turnout for the city, New Yorkers voted in droves today, lining up for blocks before the polls opened, waiting up to four hours throughout the day and mobbing polling places once again during the evening rush hour.

In a state that neither presidential campaign considered up for grabs, and in a city where nobody expected the outcome to be much in doubt, voters showed a passionate – and persistent – desire to cast their ballots and be part of the historic election.

Alana Rodriguez, 22, said she waited two and a half hours to vote at Borough Hall in Downtown Brooklyn at about 2 p.m.

“If this is what it takes for me to exercise my civil duties, then this is what you’ve got to do,” said Rodriguez, a student at Brooklyn Law School. “It’s impressive, just the fact that they are this passionate about voting”Another voter at the same polling place, Carolyn Wilson, 61, said she had seen people waiting nearly four hours earlier in the day and some of them left before voting. She waited two and a half hours when, in previous years, it took about two minutes.

“If I even dreamed this was possible I would have brought a book,” she said.

Indeed, long lines were reported throughout the five boroughs, from Greenpoint in Brooklyn, where waits of an hour were common even in mid-morning, to the Upper East Side, where voters on East 82nd Street were lined up from Second Avenue all the way down the block to First Avenue at about 10 a.m.

Voters throughout the city began showing up at polling places as early as 4 a.m., two hours before they opened.

“I’ve never seen crowds like this,” said Gene Russianoff, an attorney for the New York Public Interest Research Group, which monitored voting problems throughout the city.

He said his polling place in Park Slope was busier than he’s seen it in the more than the 20 years he’s lived there.

“I showed up at 6 a.m., and normally at that time you can hear the crickets chirp,” said Russianoff. “Today there were easily 200 people on line.”

Russianoff’s colleague at NYPIRG, Neil Rosenstein, said he expects a record turnout of as many as 2.75 million voters. There are 6.4 million registered voters in the city.

The city’s Board of Elections dispatched 34,000 workers at 1,371 polling places to handle the heavy flow, said spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez-Rivera.

"It's awesome, it should be like this every time," said William Ward, a 33-year-old computer programmer who voted in midtown.

Even Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who has not said whom he supports for president, waited 45 minutes this morning to cast his ballot on the Upper East Side.

Besides long lines, there were also reports of broken down machines or people who found their names were not on voting rolls even though they were properly registered.

Russianoff said his organization received hundreds of calls from voters, many of them complaining that machines weren’t working.

One man, who voted at a polling place on West 158th Street, said the machine for his district broke down and there were no paper ballots available, said Russianoff.

(Marlene Naanes and the AP contributed to this report)

White House 'First Pets': A historical timeline

Tuesday November 4, 2008 1:02 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

FDR with his beloved Scottish Terrier Fala (File).

By Lauren Johnston

In recent years, the White House has been inhabited mostly by dogs and cats. But in earlier decades its representatives from the animal kingdom were far more diverse:

George Washington: first president, 1789-97

Was called the father of the American foxhound after he bred English and French hounds and created a distinct breed. Mentioned dogs named Drunkard and Tipsy in his journals.

John Quincy Adams: sixth president, 1825-29

The Marquis de Lafayette is said to have given John Quincy Adams an alligator in 1826. The animal reportedly lived in the East Room.

Martin Van Buren: eighth president, 1837-41

He had two tiger cubs as pets.

Abraham Lincoln: 16th president, 1861-65

His son Tad had a pet turkey named Jack. The bird was intended for Thanksgiving dinner in 1863, but Lincoln pardoned it for his son - sparking a tradition that still continues.Benjamin Harrison: 23rd president, 1889-93

\Had a goat named "Old Whiskers" that he once chased down Pennsylvania Avenue after it took off with his grandchildren in a cart.

William McKinley: 25th president, 1897 – 1901

Had a pet parrot named "Washington Post," that is rumored to have been able to sing "Yankee Doodle."

Theodore Roosevelt: 26th president, 1901-09

Had a guinea pig named Father O'Grady, a badger named Josiah, at least five dogs including a bull terrier that ripped the pants off a French ambassador. Daughter Alice had a garter snake, Emily Spinach.

Woodrow Wilson: 28th president, 1913-21

Wilson kept a flock of sheep on the White House lawn during World War I and had a ram named "Old Ike" that liked chewing tobacco.

Calvin Coolidge: 30th president, 1923-29

He had dogs, raccoons Rebecca and Horace, a donkey named Ebeneezer, Smokey the bobcat, Enoch a goose and a wallaby and a pigmy hippo.

Franklin D. Roosevelt: 32nd president, 1933-45

The famous Fala, a Scottish terrier, was at FDR’s side through state dinners to treaty signings. She is depicted in the FDR memorial statue in Washington, D.C.

More recent notable pets include Nixon's cocker spaniel "Checkers," Ford's golden retriever "Liberty," Reagan's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel "Rex," George H.W. Bush's English springer spaniel "Millie," Bill Clinton's chocolate Labrador retriever "Buddy," and "Socks the Cat," and of course current residents, George W. Bush's Scottish terriers Barney and Miss Beazley.

amNewYork Petropolis: All the presidents' pets

Tuesday November 4, 2008 12:48 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

By Lauren Johnston

President Harry S. Truman famously said, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,” and several of his successors in the Oval Office have followed that advice.

In fact, many dogs living at the White House have been as well-known as their chief-executive masters - and sometimes more popular.

FDR’s Scottish Terrier Fala reportedly got more fan mail than he did. Richard M. Nixon's name is scandal-tarred, but everyone remembers his cocker spaniel Checkers fondly. And George W. Bush’s pups, Barney and Miss Beazley, don’t seem much affected by his record low approval ratings. They’re too busy starring in holiday videos on their Web site.

Clearly, the next pets to take the White House have some big paw prints to fill.And those who study the patterns of presidential pets say there is good reason for our nation’s leader to have an animal, whatever the species: unconditional love.

“They are nonjudgmental. They love you whether you are a popular president or an unpopular president,” said Claire McClean, founder of the Presidential Pets Museum in Williamsburg, Va., which shows memorabilia and images of all the “first pets.”

And a pet humanizes the president for his constituents.

“It’s a pretty straightforward relationship and I think for the president, probably most of his other relationships are pretty complicated,” said Daisy Okas, spokesperson for the American Kennel Club. By the AKC’s count, 22 presidents of the nation’s 43 presidents have owned purebred dogs.

“People can see the president is a regular guy to some degree, who can enjoy time with a dog,” she said.

MORE PETROPOLIS:

Kibbles 'n bits:

* Political Chew Toys: You may purchase one of these toys to celebrate a victory for your candidate or to wallow in bitter disappointment over a loss. McCain and Obama squeaker toys available at www.headlinepettoys.com for $19.95.

* MTA doggie duds: Represent your favorite transit lines with subway-inspired apparel for your pooch. Collars, leashes, hoodies and more available at www.transitmuseumstore.com

* PetLifeRadio.com: These podcasts are free and cover health, caretaking and quirky features on dogs, birds, cats, fish and more through regular shows like "Wings 'n Things," "Cattitude," "Pets in the City," and "Doggy Dog World."

* Dogs on film: Two dog photo books out this fall feature shots from NYC dog runs: Photographer Karen Ngo's "Indognito" shows dogs in costume (Little Brown and Company, $19.99). Michael Crouser's "Dog Run," features black-and-white action shots of dogs at play (Viking Studio, $32.00)

Ask the Vet: Q+A with Dr. Phillip Raclyn, Riverside Animal Hospital

Q: In May I had to euthanize my boy cat of 18 years due to stomach cancer. Is it possible that his longtime mate is mourning him after all this time? - Fern Purnell, Harlem

A: I have had hundreds of clients who have related stories similar to yours. I have treated many pets and referred many pets for therapy to deal with behavioral changes after the death of a companion.

I believe that cats have just as wide a range of emotions as dogs and humans, but I don't believe we humans are capable of understanding them. I believe most of cats' emotional lives remain hidden and undecipherable for us. Some of them make sense, and we tend to grab on to what we can understand.

So in answer to your question, yes, it's very possible that your cat understood that her mate was gone and missed him terribly. There are a number of excellent books that deal with this topic. I'd highly recommend “When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals” by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson and Susan McCarthy and “The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy - and Why They Matter” by Marc Bekoff and Jane Goodall.

Actor Tim Robbins raises ruckus at polls

Tuesday November 4, 2008 12:14 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

See the video at TMZ.com

The actor Tim Robbins – known as much for his liberal politics as for his films – raised a ruckus with an election worker Tuesday morning after he showed up at a West Village polling center and found his name missing from the voter register.

The vocal Democrat told the New York Times he’d been voting at the YMCA at 125 West 14th Street since 1997. A poll worker apparently told Robbins that 30 other voters had the same problem at that location.

Robbins filled out an affidavit ballot, but did not submit it. He instead trekked to the Board of Elections office where officials verified he was a registered voter and a Civil Court judge ruled he must be allowed to vote.

Robbins had appeared on the HBO show “Real Time with Bill Maher” on Oct. 24 and warned voters to refuse provisional ballots and to fight for their right to vote if they ran into trouble at the polls.

“I have the time and luxury to do this,” he told the Times of his ordeal. “If this is a systemic thing, what does that mean for the country?”

- Lauren JohnstonMore celebs get out the vote: (from AP)

• "I felt like my vote was the vote that put him into office. … And that may not be true, but that's how much power it felt like I had." – Sean “Diddy” Combs after voting for Barack Obama in Manhattan

• "Our world is changing. It's changing right now, and I'm so happy to contribute to that,” singer Brandy in Manhattan Monday before heading to Los Angeles to vote for Obama.

I voted Green in Queens, and gosh, I hope my vote gets counted

Tuesday November 4, 2008 11:29 AM By Emily Ngo

(AP)

By Lynne Serpe

“It’s not easy being green.” I used to say that if I had a nickel for every time a journalist opened an article or used that expression in a headline, I’d be rich.

Of course, I would also be exaggerating: the Green Party hasn’t been covered in the mainstream media nearly enough to make me even financially solvent at five cents a reference. Especially this year, when it seemed like other third party or independent presidential candidates were getting covered more often than Cynthia McKinney, former six-term congresswoman (although still nothing like the free media the two-major party candidates receive every day).

I just voted McKinney/Clemente on the Green Party line here in New York state. Greens and other activists had to gather 15,000 valid signatures from registered voters in the six (hot and humid) weeks between July 8 and Aug. 19 in order to give the voters in our state that choice.

But I don’t know if my vote will be counted — because I had to cast a provisional ballot since I wasn’t listed on the voter roll.

Uh-oh.I had been sent an article last week about how 1.6 million voters were being purged from the voters list. I even forwarded it around, and when I was interviewed about provisional ballots the other week, I referenced it. But I didn’t think it would happen to ME.

A very nice poll worker asked me if I had experienced a problem voting in the primary. My answer? I didn’t vote in the primary. I’m a Green (listed as ‘other’ here in New York) so I wasn’t allowed to vote in the presidential primary in February or the state primary in September. My taxpayer dollars, however, were used to pay for it. But that’s another rant for another day.

I registered at my current address last year, and received confirmation that my registration was received. When I returned from casting my provisional ballot, I checked the state elections website, and, sure enough, I’m listed at that address. Except I am also listed as “inactive.”

I’m told I probably wouldn’t be listed as “inactive” just because I didn’t vote in the last two primary elections. But I don’t know what else to think.

I received 11 pieces of mail from the Board of Elections, acknowledging my registration, my address and my polling site. I brought all 11 pieces of mail to the BOE just in case I had problems (and displayed them all, one by one, to the poll supervisor). As a third party member, I am no longer surprised when I have problems voting for the candidate of my choice — but I am annoyed. No, frankly, I am pissed off.

I was given a paper affidavit ballot to fill out, and an envelope to put it into. Unlike California, which would give me a receipt and a phone number to call in twenty days to see if my vote was actually counted, I got nothing.

In eight days, provisional ballots will be counted. Candidates and political parties receive a notice saying when it will happen, and I should be able to go observe — watch for hours and hours, hoping to be there and observing the right station when my envelope is found. If I am so lucky, then and only then will I know if my vote gets counted.

In 2004, the Green Party stood up for the voters in Ohio and demanded a recount of the presidential vote. We did so not because we expected to win, or because we expected to change the outcome of the election — we did so because it is important for people to have faith in the voting system, to know whether their vote was counted.

Four years later, voters around the country are still experiencing problems at the polls. Far too many voters face much greater barriers to participation than I did: felony disenfranchisement laws, voter ID laws, and voter intimidation ... the shameful list goes on.

Some claim that a vote for the Green Party is a wasted vote anyway. But I disagree. There are many reasons I vote for Green Party candidates. I agree with the 10 Key Values of the Green Party; I believe in multi-party democracy and that diverse viewpoints at the legislative table would create better public policy; I believe that we need to look at problems holistically; that there are finite resources on this planet that we need to use wisely; and that people should come before profit.

The Green Party has a vision — and a plan — for a just, peaceful and sustainable world. This is a legacy I wish to leave behind, a vision to fight for, and a party to vote for.

This is why I find it easy to be green.

So I will choose to have faith that my vote will be counted, and join with countless others to improve our democracy until every voter can feel the same.

Long lines as New Yorkers get out the vote

Tuesday November 4, 2008 5:46 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

Voters, many waiting more than an hour before the P.S. 92 polling site opened, stand in a line that snaked nearly three bloocks in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday Nov. 4 , 2008. The mural at center shows civil rights leader Marcus Garvey. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Vital Voter info: The average wait for most New Yorkers seems to be about one hour.

* Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

* Find your polling site location at www.vote-ny.com

* Registered voters won't likely need ID as proof of address, but bring a photo ID or utility bill just in case

* If you are registered but aren't listed in poll books, ask to vote by paper affidavit ballot

* Don't wear clothing or buttons supporting the candidates or referendum to the polls

* Call 212-VOTE-NYC with questions
Election coordinator Feller Jean, center, assists a woman who was having difficulty with a voting machine at St. Marks Day School in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn in New York, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

No avoiding it: Tuesday is historic

Monday November 3, 2008 2:54 PM By Ryan Chatelain

Historic.

The word’s been tossed around so loosely this year, it’s been losing some of its zing — cheapened perhaps forever as a political tool.

Yes, we know: Barack Obama would be the first black president.

Yes, we know: John McCain would be the oldest first-term president.

Yes, we know: Sarah Palin would be the first female vice president.

But those three facts, powerful as they are, are just a small part of the history being made here. No matter how the votes come in, Election 2008 really will rewrite the history books.Without a doubt, it’s the most expensive presidential race ever — on track to cost $5.3 billion dollars, up 27 percent from 2004.

But 2008 has also been the election in which the fat cats lost control. Fifty percent of Obama’s money (and 37 percent of McCain’s) has come from people giving $200 or less. Fat-cat affirmative action, anyone?

And here’s an equally staggering fact: It’s the first election since 1976 that doesn’t include a Bush or a Clinton on the ballot.

Remember them?

It’s the first time in several cycles where the red-blue map is being called into question. What that means for future years is anybody’s guess.

It’s the first race in which the Internet really mattered — and not just as a fundraising tool. Those Facebook pages, Twitter updates and cell-phone trees were a big part of the Obama momentum. No one expects Republicans to be so out-Net-hustled again.

Never before has a race had so many polls, so many pundits, so much coverage on cable TV. Never before has late-night comedy played such a role.

This can’t be called the dirtiest campaign in American history, although it seemed at times like the dumbest one.

Certainly, it was the first in which one candidate was accused of “palling around with terrorists” and a running mate announced her unmarried daughter was pregnant.

We can argue if 2008 was the longest campaign ever. Starting the day after the last one ended, give it at least a tie.

Not since 1972 have young voters felt so close to the action. We’ll see how many of them actually vote.

It was the first time in forever an incumbent president had an approval rating this low — 25 percent. By the end, George W. Bush had joined Dick Cheney in the VP’s undisclosed location, while both parties seemed to run against the two of them.

But here’s the historic fact that may echo longest and loudest of all: 2008 was the year that Republicans lost the Latinos, thanks to a few Nativist congressmen and some nasty talk-radio hosts.

Will generations of future Hispanics stick with the Democrats the way black voters have? We don’t know yet. But that really could be rewriting the American electoral map.

¡Muy histórico!

New Yorkers could face long lines, confusion at polls

Monday November 3, 2008 1:20 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Jason Fink

With turnout in tomorrow's election expected to be high, voting rights groups say New Yorkers should brace for long lines and be on the lookout for confusion at the polls.

“It will be a huge problem,” said Margaret Fung, executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, which sued the Board of Elections two years ago to force it to hire more translators for Korean- and Chinese-language voters.

Among the concerns raised by Fung and others is the fact that a surge in voter registration in October forced the Board of Elections to miss a deadline to get all the names in the poll books that voters sign before casting ballots.

As a result, a second set of books had to be created with some 60,000 to 70,000 names.“A lot of voters don’t know there’s two separate books, so it takes some voters being assertive and saying, ‘I know I’m supposed to be here,’” said Gene Russianoff, an attorney for the New York Public Interest Research Group.

Russianoff said the sheer volume of voters and poll workers makes it likely that there will be sporadic problems. New York City has 4.6 million registered voters, about 200,000 of whom registered in the first half of October.

Officials from the Board of Elections could not be reached for comment.

Larry Norden, counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, who specializes in voting rights cases, also noted that there are always problems with the city’s lever voting machines.

He did say, however, that those machines are preferable in some ways to the electronic ones that have caused problems elsewhere.

“Generally, if something goes wrong with a (lever) machine, it’s only one machine, as opposed to the electronic machines where an entire county can go down,” Norden said.

Dems hoping to win majority in state senate

Monday November 3, 2008 1:09 PM By Rolando Pujol

City Councilman Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach), left, is challenging state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Howard Beach)

By Jason Fink

New York Democrats are hoping to gain the majority in the state senate for the first time in 44 years tomrrow, and a recent poll shows it could be within their grasp.

Republicans hold a 31-29 seat advantage in the senate, with two vacancies that are expected to be split by the parties. If Democrats get a majority, they would control all levers of power in Albany; Gov. David Paterson is a Democrat and the party holds a significant majority in the Assembly.

In New York City, among the more noteworthy races is between City Councilman Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) and incumbent Sen. Serphin Maltese, (R-Howard Beach), a 20-year veteran of the upper chamber.

Maltese, a Republican in a Democratic-leaning district, has the backing of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who said he would like to see Republicans hang onto the senate.

“I’ve always thought that one-party rule is not good,” Bloomberg, an independent, said at a news conference last week. “I think when you have the checks and balances of two parties Democracy works better.”Addabbo enjoys a slim, 45-43 percent advantage, according to a poll released yesterday by the Siena Research Institute. That falls within the margin of error.

The same poll found Republican state Sen. Caesar Trunzo of Suffolk County trailing his Democratic challenger, Brian Foley, by 56 to 34 percent.

A spokesman for the Republican campaign, Joseph Conway, called the poll “wildly off the mark.”

“We’re headed into the home stretch with more energy and enthusiasm than ever before,” he added.

A poll released Thursday by Siena found two Republican senators in previously close races opening up wide leads.

Sen. Joseph Robach had a 52-39 percent advantage over Democrat Richard Dollinger in Rochester and, in Erie County, Sen. Dale Volker was leading Democrat Kathy Konst by 50 to 39.

“Everything depends on turnout,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic political consultant and adviser to Minority Leader Malcom Smith (D-St. Albans). “Turnout is going to be more helpful to the Democrats because this is a blue state. There are certainly ticket splitters but the problem the incumbents face is this is a year of change.”

If the senate is split evenly, Republicans would have effective control because tie-breaking votes are cast by the lieutenant governor; with that office vacant due to the elevation of Paterson to governor, Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) is acting lieutenant governor.

The vacant seats were held by Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R- Rensselaer), who resigned from the senate this summer and John Sabini (D-Jackson Heights), who was appointed chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Outward bound! NYers stump in swing states

Monday November 3, 2008 12:35 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

By Lauren Johnston

For many civic-minded New Yorkers, getting out the vote for this presidential election has meant getting out of town and making a lot of long-distance phone calls.

New York is shaded dark blue on the electoral vote maps, but with a handful of key states still up –for grabs, volunteers from both parties have been heading by the hundreds to local phone banks and hopping buses to swing states.

“There's not much to do in New York. Everyone has similar political beliefs,” said Stefanie Zuroff, a recent business school graduate from Manhattan. So she went to Ohio, which won the 2004 election for President Bush, to rally for Sen. Barack Obama.

Tom Predhome, a Brooklyn resident, has helped organize 11 bus trips that shuttled more than 400 Obama supporters to campaign in Pennsylvania. The state went to Democratic Sen. John Kerry in 2004, but just barely.

“It’s important because our country is seriously on the wrong track. That’s not just me talking,” said Predhome, 46, citing a recent New York Times/CBS News poll that found 85 percent of Americans share that view.Those pitching in from home have flooded local phone banks. And when it comes to toss-up states like Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia, Zogby International spokesman Fritz Wenzel said a cold call can go a long way.

“People who are still soft supporters at this late date are looking for almost anything that can help them make a decision. Just the right message from just the right caller could be the deciding factor,” he said.

City Councilman John Liu (D-Flushing) has set up an Obama call center in Flushing that will remain open through Election Day. And even restaurants and nightclubs have opened their doors, including Mansion and Guastavino’s. The midtown club Touch hosted hundreds of volunteers on Sunday who logged 16,000 calls for Obama from its plush couches.

McCain callers have been meeting at the Metropolitan Republican Club for the past month and the group McCain Manhattan, which has about 1,000 members, has organized trips to Pennsylvania.

Chris Edwards, 35, spent several days making calls for McCain before heading to Wisconsin with the group Lawyers for McCain, where he will travel between polling centers to safeguard against voter fraud. “I really admire McCain for his leadership. I admire his character, as well,” he said.

For Peter Herb, a Manhattan lawyer, this election marks his first real foray into grassroots activism. He traveled to Pennsylvania for Obama and joined Election Protection, a nonpartisan group the works to ensure people get to vote, and that their votes are counted.

“I have felt helpless and uninvolved in the last two presidential elections and didn’t want to sit and watch again without doing anything,” he said. “If you want something to happen, you have to do something to help accomplish the end you seek.”

Benjamin Sarlin and Amanda Magnus contributed to this report.

The Cover Story: In Harlem, all eyes, and hearts, set on Obama

Sunday November 2, 2008 2:26 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Jason Fink

More than six decades after Harlem elected New York’s first African-American to Congress, residents of the neighborhood today were filled with pride and excitement about the even more momentous possibility of electing the first black president.

“We’ve had candidates before, but for him to be where he is at this point in the game is such a blessing,” Elzena Ward said of Sen. Barack Obama. “You just think about all of those people whose lives were lost so black people could have a right to vote. This is for them.”

For more than a century, Harlem has been among the cultural centers of African-American life in the United States and the core of robust social and political activism in New York City.Several residents today spoke passionately about the long road from the Civil Rights movement and the violent battles waged for equal voting rights to Election Day tomorrow when women, blacks and people of all races get to step into the polls and pull the lever to elect a black man to the Oval Office.

“This is an historic event for all of us, those of us who came through the struggles of the ’60s, who saw people die for the right to vote,” said Joy, a Harlem resident who declined to give her last name.

In the neighborhood surrounding Abyssinian Baptist Church, which sits between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard, named for the first black Congressman from Harlem, and a street named for civil rights leader Malcom X, sidewalk tables were set up selling Obama T-shirts and buttons. There were signs in store windows featuring photos of the Democratic presidential candidate, and just about everybody said they were looking forward to casting their vote for him Tuesday.

Hassan Simpkins, 27, who was selling Obama merchandise on the sidewalk, said he has friends who are inspired by the Illinois senator and will cast a vote for the first time.

“A lot of younger people are saying that this is the first election they’ll vote in, even though they’ve been eligible before,” he said. “I’ve also heard a lot of older people say they never thought they’d see an African-American president.”

That was certainly the case for Ike Barrett, a retired psychiatrist who has lived in Harlem for 45 years.

“Everybody is talking about the election,” Barrett said. “I think once a century, we have someone like Obama who comes to the forefront. We had Martin Luther King, and before that we had Marcus Garvey. Obama is bringing a fresh agenda.”

Despite scandal, Rangel appears headed to victory

Sunday November 2, 2008 1:56 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Jason Fink

He has represented Harlem for 38 years and is expected to cruise to re-election tomorrow, but some voters in Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel’s district say a series of recent scandals has hurt his reputation.

“I think they should kick him out, he’s been there long enough,” said Ike Barrett, a longtime Harlem resident.

Rangel came under fire this year after it came to light that he rented four rent-stabilized apartments at the luxury development Lenox Terrace and failed to report $75,000 in rental income he earned from a property in the Dominican Republic.

He has since paid back taxes on the rental income and a House ethics inquiry – which he requested - is under way to examine that and the rent-stabilized apartments. He agreed to relinquish one of the apartments, which he used as an office.

Barrett said he thought Rangel should lose them all.

“They should take them away from him,” he said.During several interviews yesterday, Harlem residents mentioned the apartments when asked their thoughts about Rangel.

“To a certain degree, I think it will hurt him,” said Ivy, a Harlem resident who did not give her last name. “But I think he’s going to get re-elected. Is anyone running against him?”

In fact, there is a Republican, Edward Daniels, and a Socialist Workers party candidate, Martin Koppel.

Others said Rangel’s position as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee is good for the district.

“I’m going to vote for him not because I love him that much but because he’s head of Ways and Means and he’s powerful,” said Jerome Daniel.

Daniel said he thought the scandals involving Rangel were “nonsense” and that the congressman had helped the district when no one else would.

Watch out for election dirty tricks

Sunday November 2, 2008 12:45 PM By Pete Catapano

(AP)

BY Pete Catapano

Voters being falsely threatened with arrest. Votes being switched for the other candidate in computerized machines. Misinformation about polling sites.

These are just some of the shenanigans that some say tainted the 2004 vote, and such tampering could already be happening again.

“We see this every year,” Jonah Goldman of the advocacy group Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law told the Associated Press. “It all happens around this time when there’s too much other stuff going on in the campaigns, and it doesn’t get investigated.”

In the past few weeks, there already have been reports of some shady activities:

• In Michigan, some were allegedly told they couldn’t vote if their home was being foreclosed

• In Broward County, Florida, residents have been robo-called and falsely instructed that they can vote by phone tomorrow

• In Pittsburgh, a robo-call is falsely advising voters that Republicans are scheduled to vote tomorrow, and Democrats must wait until Wednesday

• Community group ACORN has been registering people who are ineligible or don’t exist

• Three people using electronic machines during early voting had their votes switched

from Obama to McCain, according to the Charleston Gazette

• In Philadelphia’s predominantly African-American neighborhoods, there are complaints of fliers circulating with warnings that voters could be arrested at the polls if they had unpaid parking tickets or criminal convictions“We’ve seen it every election,” said Mary Boyle, spokeswoman for Common Cause, a nonpartisan advocacy group. “In fact we’re sending out 300,000 robo-calls by actor Danny Glover in Virgina and Pennsylvania in response to these calls” to explain the information being given out is false.

Laws against this sort of duping tactic are not very strong; only two states have it categorized as a felony and there’s no federal legislation against.

Voters who feel that they’ve gotten some fishy instructions can call the national non-partisan election protection hotline, 866-OUR-VOTE.

Bloomberg proposes financial help plan

Thursday October 30, 2008 6:55 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

Mayor Michael Bloomberg (Getty Images)

(AP) — To help New Yorkers weather the economic

downturn, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Thursday he wants to relax

tax deadlines for some property owners and create a Web site for

laid-off financial workers to provide job listings and other

assistance.

At a news conference at City Hall, Bloomberg outlined a series

of immediate steps to ease the financial burden for New Yorkers

struggling to deal with the upheaval on Wall Street.

“There will be no magic bullet or easy fixes,” Bloomberg

warned. But, he added, “We will survive this crisis.”Citing the precarious financial situation, Bloomberg recently

declared that the city needs him to stick around for four more

years and announced that he plans to run for re-election.

The billionaire businessman convinced the City Council to change

the city’s term-limits law so that he could do so, sticking to his

argument that the financial emergency calls for his leadership and

expertise.

Bloomberg has ordered agencies to cut spending by 2.5 percent

this fiscal year and another 5 percent the following year to help

bridge growing budget gaps.

The projected deficit for next fiscal year, which begins in

July, is expected to be at least $3 billion when the city releases

its latest figures next week.

In addition to calling for spending cuts, the mayor had also

asked city departments to come up with ways to help individuals get

through upcoming tough times.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Bloomberg said “the panic

is probably over” in the financial markets, but he said the next

wave is already being felt citywide as businesses feel the pain of

fewer customers.

One way his administration intends to soften the blow is to help

property owners with the payment schedules on their taxes.

Bloomberg wants to adjust the deadlines for properties valued at

$250,000 or less so that property owners would pay smaller amounts

once a quarter rather than large payments twice a year, as they do

now. It would require council action to do so.

And while New York City has not seen the same rates of

foreclosures as the rest of the nation, the administration is also

planning to use $24 million in federal funding to purchase

foreclosed properties and turn them into affordable housing.

The city is planning to launch a yearlong public awareness

campaign to inform New Yorkers about how to take control of their

finances, with a first phase focusing on dealing with debt.

Bloomberg also plans to create a Web site targeted for

entry-level and mid-career professionals who have recently lost

their jobs in financial services.

It would provide job listings, freelance consulting

opportunities, help with health insurance, plus continuing

education and training resources.

The city comptroller projected earlier this month that the city

could lose 165,000 jobs over the next two years, including as many

as 35,000 in the financial services industry.

Obama speaks to country — on seven stations

Wednesday October 29, 2008 3:50 PM By Emily Ngo

Barack Obama appeals to Americans for their vote via primetime television. (AP)

By Emily Ngo

Barack Obama held off normal programming Wednesday night to share the tales of five everyday Americans and summarize his plans for the country.

In a half-hour block of documentary-style television reminiscent of an Oprah Winfrey special, Obama — already ahead among early voters in several key polls — stated specifics of how he would rectify those Americans’ situations. The story of his late mother’s life and testimonies from several politicians helped to fortify Obama’s case.

“Boy, life sure is short and you better live in the moment,” he had said upon learning of the death of his mother, Stanley Ann Durham.

As Obama outlined his economic, energy, education, health care and national defense plans for the United States, he doubtlessly looked presidential. But on-screen reminders to text the campaign and visit its Web site for voting information allowed him to look like a modern president.

“I’m not a perfect man, and I won’t be a perfect president,” the Democratic nominee said. “But I can promise you this — I will always tell you what I think and where I stand.”

The ad blast, which is estimated to have cost the Obama campaign $4 million, won’t likely hurt his presidential chances, but it remains to be seen whether it will help him.

Fact: No shortage of Obama shirts in Union Square

Wednesday October 29, 2008 10:58 AM By Rolando Pujol

Decisions, decisions: Sampling the Obama options in Union Square Park.

By Linnea Covington

Special to amNewYork

“Obama for yo mama.” “Barack’s How I Roll.” “Obaaaama for president.” “Bark for Obama.”

Even the dogs have gotten in on the Barack Obama frenzy that has swept through the T-shirt business catering to a new generation of voters that likes to wear its politics on its sleeve rather than on traditional pins or banners.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Union Square, where about a quarter of the merchandise stalls sell political T-shirts – all of them pro-Obama. From the simple heart shape with the letter O to the mass-produced image of Obama’s face, found in all sizes and colors, there has never been a political figure so wearable.

“I see lots of people who are taking it upon themselves to do something this time around,” said Helen Walters, who’s written three books about the T-shirt business. “And if you can put it on the T-shirt, you feel like you are making a difference.”

At Union Square, Ellen Weiss wanted to make a political statement. Holding up a pink “Blondes for Obama” tee, Weiss demanded $20 from her husband. “Haven’t I given him enough already?” he said, referring to Obama.

Weiss took the money and bought her first political T-shirt. “ I love him and I love this and I’m a blonde,” she said and walked away with her prize.

For the T-shirt sellers, of course, their efforts aren’t just pure Obama loyalty.

“I came out with a Giuliani, Hillary and Obama shirt,” said Larry Kleinstein, who runs a T-shirt stand in Union Square. “Obama worked the best.”

Now, Kleinstein’s stand sells only Obama tees – including one for dogs.

“Excuse me, do you have Red Heads for Obama?” a woman asked Kleinstein.

“Not yet, check back next week,” he replied. “It’s an Obama frenzy in New York!”

Hikind, a Clinton supporter, endorses McCain for president

Monday October 27, 2008 3:52 PM By Emily Ngo

(AP)

By Emily Ngo

Legions of Hillary Clinton supporters vowed they would not vote for her rival Barack Obama following the Democratic primary, promising to back John McCain or stay away from the polls all together. While the vast majority have gravitated toward Obama in the subsequent months, some politicians are staying true to their word.

Assemb. Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn), a staunch supporter of Clinton, Monday endorsed Sen. John McCain for president, citing Sen. Barack Obama's connections to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright as the reason he crossed party lines.

"The Reverend Jeremiah Wright repeatedly lauded Louis Farrakhan,

conferring upon him honorific titles, often sounding like a devoted disciple of Farrakhan's. Farrakhan called Judaism the 'synagogue of Satan.' ... Obama did nothing. He said nothing. Not for one year. Not for five years ... not even after 10 years. For 20 years, Obama did not protest his pastor's racist tantrums."

"Barack Obama has not done anything to deserve my vote,” concluded Hikind, who has served his district for more than 20 years.

Third-term-enamored Bloomberg runs afoul of Alec Baldwin

Monday October 27, 2008 12:39 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Jason Fink

Add movie star (and outspoken Democrat) Alec Baldwin to the list of New Yorkers who object to Mayor Michael Bloomberg's successful push to overturn the city's term limits law.

In an online column for the Huffington Post, the famously mercurial leading man decries the notion that the economic crisis presents a special circumstance that justifies reversing two public referendums on the issue.

"This [City Council] vote leaves me wondering a few things. One is that supporters of Bloomberg's move argue that New York is in crisis and only Bloomberg, with his business acumen and experience in office, can serve effectively as mayor now. Do they suggest that Bloomberg would withhold his insights and assistance on behalf of New Yorkers unless the law is changed? Negate the will of the voters or Bloomberg won't play ball? What kind of public servant says that?"

Baldwin has never been shy about expressing his political opinions, routinely coming down on the opposite side of the spectrum from his conservative brother, Stephen.

He appeared on "Saturday Night Live recently" in a skit denouncing Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who made a guest a appearance.

Photo: AP

Mike's economic advice for the next president

Sunday October 26, 2008 11:24 AM By Rolando Pujol

By Jason Fink

He's gearing up for a run at a third term following his victory on a controversial term limits extension law but Mayor Michael Bloomberg is also playing economic adviser to the next president - whoever that may be.

In an essay to be published in Newsweek magazine and posted online yesterday, Bloomberg gives some free advice about how to handle the current financial crisis.

Bloomberg, who has often spoken of the difficult choices New York will have to make as the economy sours, suggests long-term investment in infrastructure as way to create jobs and, well, because we need it.

"Americans recognize the need for greater infrastructure investment, and from my experience in New York, they are willing to pay for it, if — and this is a big if — they can be sure their money will be spent improving their ... communities, not improving some legislator's re-election chances," the mayor writes.

He also suggests pursuing alternative forms of energy, reforming immigration laws to encourage foreign students to study here and spending more on math and science education.Of course, all that will cost money and the billionaire mayor says that may mean taxes, specifically the estate tax, a topic that may one day be near and dear to the hearts of members of his own family.

"If we have any hope of balancing the budget, the alternative minimum tax cannot be entirely eliminated. In addition, demand for revenue will necessitate bringing back the estate tax — because it makes too much sense. It will both raise revenue and encourage more wealthy Americans to donate to charity."

Bloomberg is one of several public figures the magazine has asked to write essays -- in the form of email memos -- to whoever is the next resident of the White House. His topic was the economy.

Update: Bloomberg wins fight to extend term limits

Thursday October 23, 2008 12:40 PM By Lauren Johnston

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Council has approved Mayor

Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to change term-limits law, clearing

the way for the billionaire independent to run for a third term.

By a vote of 29-22, the council passed the bill that gives

officeholders the option of three consecutive four-year terms.

Existing law limits them to two terms, and Bloomberg’s concludes at

the end of next year.

Bloomberg announced his plans to seek re-election just three

weeks ago.

Breaking: Committee passes term-limit bill; full Council votes this afternoon

Thursday October 23, 2008 6:38 AM By Lauren Johnston

The City Council Committee on Goverment Operation headed by Councilman Simcha Felder. (Dave Sanders)

By Jason Fink

The New York City Council governmental operations committee this morning unanimously passed a bill that would extend term limits for the mayor and other city officials. There are six members on the committee. The full 51-member City Council is scheduled to vote on the bill this afternoon.

"This is one of the toughest decisinos I have ever made in my entire life," said Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. before casting his vote. " A two-term limit hurts this city," he said.

Committee Chairman Simcha Felder said he did not believe the vote was a move designed specifically to bolster Mayor Michael Bloomberg, whose office put the bill on the agenda.

"Many have tried to make this issue about one man," Felder said. "I think the mayor has been very effective in office, but that has nothing to do with the matter before us," he said.

Down to the wire on term limits bill

Wednesday October 22, 2008 1:53 PM By Mae Cheng

By Jason Fink

It may be anyone’s victory tomorrow when the City Council votes on whether to extend term limits for elected officials.

After a judge today refused a last minute request by two Brooklyn council members to stop the vote, the stage is set for what some say may be one of the closest votes taken inside City Hall.

“These are shifting sands,” said Councilman James Oddo (R-Staten Island), an opponent of the bill. “You could have 32 votes before lunch, 26 after lunch and 22 by the end of the day.”While there was much speculation that Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s decision to schedule a vote tomorrow is evidence that she and Mayor Michael Bloomberg have been able to line up enough supporters, some political insiders said they weren’t so sure.

“Part of this is a poker game,” said one city official who asked not to be identified. “They’re putting on a tough face . . . You put it on as if you have the votes and then you hope that you have them because of that.”

Quinn’s office released a statement today saying the speaker is “very optimistic that the mayor’s bill will pass.”

Meanwhile, the mayor, who three weeks ago declared he wanted to change the city charter so he could run for a third four-year term, has said that he would not seek to change the law through a voter referendum if the bill is voted down.

Passage would require 26 votes.

The vote could also take another turn, as three council members who say they are undecided on Bloomberg’s bill announced today that they will introduce an amendment seeking to have the term-limits issue decided by voter referendum.

Voters twice approved term limits in the 1990s.

Councilman Lewis Fiddler (D-Brooklyn), who supports extending term limits, said that while he was “cautiously optimistic” that term limits will be extended, he interpreted Quinn’s action more as an attempt to put the matter to rest.

“As passionately as people feel about this issue, there’s a lot of business we’re not doing that we should be doing,” Fiddler said. “Let’s rip the Band-aid off and do it. One way or the other, let’s get this vote done.”

Bloomberg term limits turmoil continues

Wednesday October 22, 2008 9:10 AM By Lauren Johnston

(Dave Sanders)

NEW YORK (AP) — Brooklyn council members Bill de Blasio and Letitia James went to

court Wednesday to block Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposal to change the city’s term-limits law so that he can run for a third four-year term.

The pair filed a petition asking the court to stop a scheduled council vote to

increase the number of terms the mayor and current council members may serve.The two lawmakers want the court to declare that the vote to

allow a third term in office for its own members, as well as

Bloomberg, would violate the city’s conflict of interest law.

The vote is scheduled for Thursday. A hearing on the issue was

scheduled for later Wednesday before state Supreme Court Justice

Jacquelyn Silbermann.

Randy Mastro, lawyer for the two petitioners, said his clients

oppose the proposed term-limits vote “as a matter of deeply held

principle.”

The petition names the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board and

the council as defendants.

The board wrote an opinion last week concluding that it was not

a conflict for council members to vote on term limits changes for

themselves and the mayor.

Jamie McShane, a spokesman for council Speaker Christine Quinn,

who supports Bloomberg’s proposal, noted Wednesday that the panel

issued a “strong and decisive opinion.”

“We are confident the court will agree that this lawsuit is

entirely without merit,” McShane said.

Two-thirds of the council members will be forced out of office

next year under the existing law, which restricts the mayor,

council members and other city officeholders to two consecutive

four-year terms. The mayor’s proposal would add the option for a

third term.

Bloomberg announced his intentions late last month after several

weeks of turmoil on Wall Street, arguing that he is uniquely

qualified to lead the city through the financial crisis because of

his business background. The founder of the multibillion-dollar

financial data firm Bloomberg LP, the mayor is reported to be worth

an estimated $20 billion.

The petitioners’ court papers note that Bloomberg had previously

expressed his support for term limits.

“Then, when the recent crisis in New York and worldwide

financial markets unfolded, Mayor Bloomberg seized on the

opportunity to make public his private desire to amend the term

limits laws” so he and some council members could stay in office,

court papers say.

Bloomberg’s first-ever veto when he took office in 2002 was to

reject a council bill that sought to extend terms for some

lawmakers. At the time, he said the proposed law was wrong because

it amounted to changing the rules for personal political gain.

Sarah Palin: Before the $150K makeover

Wednesday October 22, 2008 6:12 AM By Lauren Johnston

Sarah Palin, then Sarah Heath, left, with classmate Stacia Crocker at a dorm party at the University of Idaho. (Stacia Hagerty)

News broke last night [Politico] of the RNC's big spending spree on smart fashions for Sarah Palin and family: A reported $49,425.74 spent at Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York and a $75,062.63 blowout at a Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis among the receipts.

We wonder what her "real Americans" might have to say about that. But we're also checking out this story today, on her college-hopping years. According to this LA Times story, none of her professors remember her.

Storage solution and political commentary? You betcha!

Tuesday October 21, 2008 12:05 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Rolando Pujol

Manhattan Mini Storage never fails to deliver with its cheeky ads. A new batch popping up around town skewers Sarah Palin, knocking both her experience and the size of your closet. In case the message is lost on you, an "anti-choice" pin adorns her red power suit.

While this ad, shown here on an Upper West Side phone booth, will not be controversial among most New Yorkers, here's a recent Manhattan Mini Storage ad that was.

Rockers to candidates: Stop using our music

Monday October 20, 2008 3:32 PM By Pete Catapano

Bon Jovi wants John McCain's to stop using his songs at campaign stops. (Getty)

By Julie Gordon

jgordon@am-ny.com

John McCain has hit a sour note with a lot of rockers for using their songs on the campaign trail. But it turns out, there’s not much they can do to make him stop the music.

A growing number of musicians have demanded the senator to stop playing their songs at campaign events, but they probably won’t be taking their case to the courtroom.

It would be difficult for Van Halen, Bon Jovi, the Foo Fighters, Heart, Survivor, the Rolling Stones and other upset artists — most of whom are Democrats — to prove that McCain’s camp crossed legal lines by using their music without approval.

Van Halen, for example, wasn’t hot for McCain for using their hit “Right Now” at Ohio rally."Permission was not sought or granted nor would it have been given,” the band said..

Bon Jovi, meanwhile, which hosted a $30,000 a person fund-raiser for Democrat Barack Obama recently, objected to McCain using their song “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” at a campaign stop.Jon Bon Jovi recently hosted a $30,000 fund-raiser for Democrat Barack Obama.

While McCain seems to have little public support from rockers, Obama has many performers on his bandwagon. Just last week, Bruce Springsteen teamed up with Billy Joel at a concert for Obama in Manhattan.

All public places that broadcast music, such as a venue for a rally, need a license from a performing rights organization, like ASCAP. Venues buy a “license for the right to play all works by an organization’s artists, like the 330,000 ASCAP has. If the music the candidate is using falls under that license, there’s almost nothing an artist can do to stop it, said Stephen Masur, managing director of MasurLaw, and entertainment law firm in Manhattan.

”Then the artists are out of luck; they can’t prevent the use,” he said.

McCain’s campaign did not return requests for comment, but recently said all licenses were on the up-and-up. A few artists have also spoken out against Obama using their tunes, including Sam Moore, whose “Hold On I’m Comin’” was used by the senator’s camp. Moore said he was not publicly endorsing any candidate.

The only way for a musician to win such a suit would be to prove there was a false impression that they were backing the candidate, which experts say would be difficult.

“I’m not sure if someone hearing a Bon Jovi song would think Bon Jovi was sponsoring McCain,” said June Besek, executive director of Columbia Law School’s Kernochan Center for Law, Media and the Arts.

Justin Hughes, a professor at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, said winning such a suit is a “real stretch.”

Most likely, the artists aren’t looking to sue, but just trying to distance themselves from the McCain camp. For example, the Foo Fighters said the saddest thing about the use of “My Hero” is that it was “written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential. To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song."

“These cases are not designed to go to trial,” Besek said. “They’re designed to make a statement.”

But, at a campaign rally last week in North Carolina, Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin said it’s tough to get famous musicians to perform on her team’s behalf.

"In fact, we … were making a list of who are some celebrity singers who could come out and help us and gosh, for the life of us, the pickings were slim there," Palin said. "Who's quasi-conservative out there in the celebrity land?"

Violations of city's smoking ban rise by a third

Sunday October 19, 2008 3:12 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Marlene Naanes

That haze hanging over the bar late at night isn’t just a beer fog.

Violations for smoking inside bars and restaurants jumped by a third in the past year, which comes as no surprise to nonsmokers, who complain that bartenders are increasingly blowing off the five-year-old smoking ban.

The health department said the bump follows a jump in inspectors conducting late-night checks. But some bargoers say the numbers reflect what they can smell on their clothes each night.

“I go out a lot, and I definitely notice it…all over the place,” said Susan Siegel, a Manhattan resident who says bars and clubs on the Lower East Side and in the Meatpacking District are the worst offenders. “I hate smoking in bars.”

And nonsmokers say it’s about to get worse: As winter approaches, the prime season for illegal indoor smoking is set to begin.

The number of smoking violations doled out to bars and restaurants increased to 917 infractions in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, compared to 694 in the same period the year before. Health department inspectors started going out later at night when places are more likely to allow patrons, or even employees, to light up, a spokeswoman said.

“The last thing a restaurant owner is going to think is an inspector is going to be there,” said Celina De Leon, a health department spokeswoman, who added that inspectors can be out as late as 4 a.m.

She would not speculate if people’s behavior changed.

“There’s no way to know if this happens at all bars at night,” she said. “We’re not there 24-7.”

While smoky bars still exist, some smokers insist they are by no means easy to find.

Mark Benkes was smoking outside a bar on the Lower East Side on a recent night, and he perhaps put it best: "You'll find people doing blow more openly than smoking."

Still, smokers say plenty of renegade bars exist, especially on the Lower East Side, but people treat them like a secret stash of joy. Gavin Motnyk, 28, said he knew of several places where people smoke, and he even offered to take a reporter and photographer to one, but then backtracked.

s

Motnyk said he does not mind the ban because smoking less saves him money, but he complained about how the regulation is making bar owners treat their smoking customers.

"When you smoke outside, there's more noise outside," he said. "They make smokers go 100 feet, 50 feet down the block."

While drinking holes still flout the anti-smoking regulation, the height of violations occurred during the first two years of the ban. In 2003 and 2004, smoking violations made up about 11 percent of restaurant inspections, while now it represents only 6 percent.

Still, Siegel says indoor smoking is rampant, and has even felt the urge to demand that a SoHo bar pay her dry cleaning bill. Sometimes she cannot get staff — who sometimes smoke themselves — to stop smokers, despite fines ranging from $200 to $2,000.

“I go up to people,” she said. “It’s the law and I feel like I have a right to say something.”

Jed Kim contributed to this report.Top smoking ban violators

Establishment: Number of violations

Florio's Restaurant & Pizzeria 21

192 Grand St.

Manhattan

World Cup Night Club 20

13431 35th Ave.

Queens

Cafe Korza 20

652 E. 187th Street

Bronx

18 Club 19

131-66 40th Road

Queens

Portofino Café 18

2008 Williamsbridge Road

Bronx

Kalymnos Society 18

2403 31st St.

Queens

Havana Dreams Cigar Lounge 18

6310 Woodhaven Blvd

Queens

Queens Village 18

220-27 Jamaica Ave.

Queens

Home 16

542 W. 27th St.

Manhattan

Coco Bar 16

131-37 A 41st Ave.

Queens

Source: New York City Department of Health

* For the year through August 2008

Violations are largely for smoking indoors, but some reflect the presence of ashtrays and the absence of no-smoking signs.

**********

The number of smoking violations by fiscal year*:

Number of Number of Violation rate

Violations Inspections

2008 917 14,399 6.4 percent

2007 694 20,006 3.5 percent

2006 481 23,429 2.1 percent

2005 437 25,471 1.7 percent

2004 3,091 26,765 11.5 percent

2003 2,268 21,781 10.4 percent

Source: New York City Department of Health

The period covers July 1 through June 30

**********

Smokeless tobacco offers an increasingly popular and legal way to get a nicotine fix at bars and restaurants.

Sales of chew, dip and other forms of smokeless tobacco soared nationally by about 26 percent as cigarette sales dropped by almost 14 percent, according to a recent Harvard School of Public Health study that surveyed its use from 2000-06. The study partially attributed the growth to clean indoor-air policies.

Less messier types of smokeless tobacco, such as teabag-like Snus, as well as lower sales taxes compared to cigarettes, also contributed to the increase, particularly among young people, the study found.

-- Marlene Naanes

The Halloween of 'Joe the Plumber'

Friday October 17, 2008 7:10 AM By Lauren Johnston

So why do we get the feeling we're going to see a LOT of "Joe the Plumber" at this year's Village Halloween Parade? We went ahead and did some research that covers the entire family. Below, find plumber looks (crack included) for mom (yes, they even make a sexy plumber), dad and junior:

Get Dad's look online [here], for mom [here] and kids [here].

And to make the look really authentic, you may want to read up on "Joe the Plumber's" bio [here].

Comedic highlights: City Council term limits hearing

Friday October 17, 2008 6:18 AM By Lauren Johnston

Photo/ Dave Sanders

The City Council is at this very moment hearing testimony from current and former city officials on the issue of extending term limits - sparked of, course, by Mayor Michael Bloomberg's push to extend his tenure at City Hall to a third term, on the grounds that the city needs his financial expertise to combat the Wall St. crisis.

And the proceedings have been heated so far. Some highlights:

Former Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. made clear his position with this notable quotation:

"Every politician is like a dirty diaper. They need to be changed. They stink."

Second: A group of rabble-rousers unfurled a banner that said, "Bloomberg to Democracy Drop Dead." At which point the presiding councilman (who forbids noise during the proceedings) asked that they be "taken to the Willets Point hearing. That's where they belong."

More highlights to come ...

Waiting for Barack at the Hammerstein (and dissing Sarah and George)

Thursday October 16, 2008 3:25 PM By Rolando Pujol

Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel will rock out tonight at the Hammerstein Ballroom to benefit Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

The concert will be Obama’s last appearance in New York before the election. Rolling Stone says it’s the first time Bruce and Billy have shared the same concert bill.

Tickets for tonight’s concert, termed “donations” by the Obama campaign, range from $500 for balcony seats to $10,000 for lounge tickets.

Around 6:30, when Obama was at the Alfred E. Smith Dinner, people were just beginning to line up for the entrance. The doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8:50, according to the people waiting.

Carol and Harvey Rabinowitz flew in from Detroit for the day to celebrate their 30th anniversary at the benefit.

“We’ve never done anything as rash or impetuous as this,” said Mr. Rabinowitz.

“As long as Sarah Palin won’t be here, I’ll be happy,” said Mrs. Rabinowitz.

In line behind them were Gayla Brewer and Liz O’Boyle from Bergen County, New Jersey. The ladies came to the venue at 4pm to secure their balcony seats, went to get dinner and cocktails, and then came back to wait on line. The friends were huge Bruce and Obama fans.

“We’ve lived through the depression of Bush Round 2, and now we’re very optimistic,” Ms. Brewer said.

-- Amanda Magnus

Alfred E. Smith Dinner remains a must-stop on the road to the White House

Thursday October 16, 2008 1:30 PM By Rolando Pujol

Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, mayoral candidate Mario Procaccino, Terence Cardinal Cooke, Mayor John V. Lindsay and candidate John Marchi attend the 1969 Alfred E. Smith Dinner. (Bob Lucky/Newsday)

The “who’s who” of American politics will gather at 6:30 tonight at the Waldorf-Astoria for the 63rd annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner. Tonight’s dinner features both Senators John McCain and Barack Obama as keynote speakers, one day after their most contentious presidential debate.

The dinner raises money for Catholic charities in New York City, and in 1960 it was hailed as “a ritual of American politics” by political reporter Theodore White.

Alfred E. Smith was a four-time governor of New York between 1918 and 1928. He unsuccessfully ran as the Democratic candidate for president in the 1928 election against Herbert Hoover. Smith is known as the first Roman Catholic and Irish-American major-party candidate for president in the United States.

As governor of New York, Smith advocated for labor needs and became nationally known for his progressive ways and attempts to make government more efficient and effective in meeting social needs. Under his leadership, the nation’s first state park system was constructed.

After his terms as governor, Smith became the president of the Empire State, Inc. He was a major player in getting the Empire State Building constructed during the Great Depression.

Cardinal John J. O'Connor, center, is joined in 1985 by an all-star cast during the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Thursday night. Judge William Hughes Mulligan, second right, served as guest speaker during the dinner. From left to right, Sonny Werblin, New York Mayor Ed Koch, O' Connor, Mulligan and New York Gov. Mario Cuomo. (AP)

The annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner began in 1945, the year after Smith’s death. The dinner is sponsored by the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation, which “aids the poor, sick, and underprivileged of the Archdiocese of New York, regardless of race, creed, or color,” according to the foundation’s Web site.

The dinner was originally started by then-Archbishop Francis Spellman of the Archdiocese of New York, who used the dinner to commemorate Smith’s extraordinary political career by using current political leaders as speakers. The dinner’s past keynote speakers include Winston Churchill (via trans-Atlantic telephone), Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, and John F. Kennedy. Since 1960, the dinner has become a campaign stop every election year, with both presidential candidates attending.

Speeches made at later dinners have taken on a light, slightly humorous tone. These speeches became a way for candidates to express their talents as entertainers and gave them a chance to poke fun at political issues, opponents, or themselves. This outlet was especially important in the days before "Saturday Night Live."

-- Amanda Magnus

Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Al Gore, left, shares a light moment with the audience during remarks by Republican presidential candidate Texas Gov. George W. Bush during the 2000 Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2000, in New York. At center is Alfred E. Smith IV. (AP)

Debate-watching parties around town ...

Wednesday October 15, 2008 9:12 AM By Lauren Johnston

The candidates square off tonight at Hofstra University in LI.

7 p.m. Presidential debate watch party with Iraq and Afghanistan

8 p.m. Russell Simmons, Ne-Yo, Tracy Morgan and others expected to

attend presidential debate watch party in support of Web site Global Grind’s “Countdown to Change” election initiative; Taj Lounge, 48 W. 21st St.

8 p.m. Harlem4Obama presidential debate watch party; 2479 Frederick

Douglass Blvd., Eighth Avenue at 133rd Street.

8 p.m. to 11 p.m. New York Young Republican club presidential debate watch party; Metropolitan Republican Club, 122 East 83rd St., b/w Lexington and Park avenues.

Barack Obama will rock out at Manhattan concert given by Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel

Tuesday October 14, 2008 1:06 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Lauren Johnston

Now it’s time to call him a “Barack Star.”

When mega stars Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel team up to play a benefit for the Democratic nominee at Hammerstein Ballroom Thursday night, Sen. Barack Obama will be there ready to rock, said campaign spokesman Blake Zeff.

The show, which starts at 8:30 p.m., is sold out with about 2,000 people expected to attend, said Hammerstein sales executive Lisa Schamis. And tickets weren’t cheap, selling for anywhere from $500 to $10,000 apiece. It wasn’t clear when Obama would arrive, or whether he would appear on stage.

It will be a whirlwind two days in New York for both the Democratic senator and his rival Sen. John McCain.

The candidates will meet Wednesday night for the third and final televised presidential debate at Hofstra University on Long Island. On Thursday evening, each will speak at the annual Alfred E. Smith Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria.

Somewhere in there, McCain will tape a segment with David Letterman for “The Late Show,” after snubbing the host last month while granting an interview to the CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric.

Obama will jet across town to the concert and there are rumors he may even squeeze in an appearance “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno via satellite, on which his running mate Sen. Joe Biden will be a guest.

Bill O’Reilly vs. Barney Frank

Monday October 13, 2008 1:42 PM By Rolando Pujol

Bill O’Reilly set off Congressman Barney Frank when he called him a “coward” during a discussion of the financial crisis on “The O’Reilly Factor."

Discovered in Greenpoint: Blast-from-the-past campaign buttons

Monday October 13, 2008 11:44 AM By Lauren Johnston

Robert Germino sells his political memorabilia at the corner of Bedford Ave. and N. 12th. St. in Williamsburg. Photo/Lauren Johnston.

Yesterday we met Bob Germino. The 71-year-old retiree has lived in the Williamsburg-Greenpoint area all his life and has a love for local politics - and the paraphernalia that goes with it.

In fact, in 1977, he ran for school board (District 14), and still keeps this campaign card in his wallet.

These days you'll find Germino at the corner of Bedford Ave. and N. 12th. in Williamsburg selling bits and pieces from his personal collection, including old magazine ads, photographs, and best - this large selection of old campaign buttons (we picked up a "Bella Abzug for Mayor" for $3).

He's also got "Ed Koch for Mayor," and "Re-elect Gerges" and "Stefanizzi in '82."

Stop by his corner for these bits of New York's political history, but also for his stories of the hot campaigns of yesteryear. Definitely worth some weekend loitering

As New York debate looms, concerns grow over hateful rhetoric on campaign trail

Sunday October 12, 2008 3:18 PM By Rolando Pujol

By Marlene Naanes

mnaanes@am-ny.com

As Barack Obama’s lead in the polls grows and the final debate nears in New York, voters and observers say that rhetoric by some supporters of John McCain has produced the worst show of hate during a presidential election in decades.

At campaign events, supporters of McCain have shouted, “off with his head,” “kill him” and “terrorist” in reference to Obama.

“I believe his supporters are reading the polls and they’re losing,” said City Councilwoman Letitia James (D-Brooklyn). “I just think racism is alive and healthy unfortunately…and some people really need to think whether or not they are better off today than they were eight years ago.”

McCain has rebuked his own supporters over the comments. Obama’s campaign has praised McCain for confronting his supporters, but a Georgia congressman and some New Yorkers believe he and Palin are responsible for fueling the negativity. The McCain crowds have been compared to George Wallace’s presidential campaigns in 1968 and 1972."I think not only is it his responsibility to put a stop to it, but they [McCain and Palin] were responsible,” said Michelle Davies, 43, of Brooklyn. “They put out misinformation and took information out of context.”

The controversy comes as Obama and McCain prepare for a visit to New York this week, for their third and final debate, at Hofstra University on Wednesday. The secret service they’ll be no extra security beyond the detail already surrounding Obama.

McCain and Palin have continuously mentioned Obama’s connections with Bill Ayers, former member of the Weather Underground, a radical group from the late 1960s and early 1970s that orchestrated bombings in the U.S.

Negative campaigning is a strategy used by both Republicans and Democrats when they are lagging because it fuels the base, a political strategist said.

“They’re in deep trouble…the only way they will get any traction is to let the mob loose,” said Hank Sheinkopf, who worked for President Bill Clinton’s re-election. “Is this going to work? Probably not because what people care about more is the economy.”

After the backlash from their supporters’ comments, both McCain and Palin seemed to shift their focus to the economy. A McCain spokesman said yesterday that sometimes supporters say things the campaign can’t control and that they take attention away from legitimate questions, such as Obama’s judgment and experience.

Rhetoric isn’t the only way anger against Obama that has taken shape recently. The Los Angeles Times and a California theater recently received anti-Obama letters with a substance later determined to be nonhazardous. Some wondered if even McCain could quell angry supporters.

“This kind of rhetoric sets the seeds unfortunately for awful things to occur…historically,” Sheinkopf said.

Amanda Magnus and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Quinn backs Bloomberg's term-limit overhaul; "billionaires" rejoice

Sunday October 12, 2008 2:46 PM By Rolando Pujol

Noah Countability, Phil T. Rich, Isla Lordit Overya, Anita Yacht and Thurston Howell 4th are members of Billionaires for Term Limits Except for Billionaires. “As billionaires we are just not used to limitations,” Yacht said. (Photo: Jefferson Siegel)

By Marlene Naanes

mnaanes@am-ny.com

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn yesterday threw her support behind the mayor’s push to extend term limits permanently.

Reiterating some of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s arguments for a third term, Quinn said at a City Hall news conference that the city is facing a global financial crisis and “continuity of leadership” will help pull the city through.

“In these difficult times, I believe voters should have the choice to keep the current leadership of our city,” said Quinn, who was seen as a potential mayoral candidate before Bloomberg announced his view on term limits, which he once supported . “If voters are not happy with any of us, they have the right to vote us out of office next fall.”

Quinn said she talked with city leaders in the public and private sector, including labor officials and good government advocates, before coming to a decision to permanently extend term limits from two to three four-year stints. She noted yesterday that New Yorkers also will be able to voice their opinion at two City Hall hearings this Thursday and Friday.In public, Quinn had been on the fence about the term-limits change. Quinn’s support could be central in convincing resistant council members. She promised yesterday that she made no deal with Bloomberg, and that council members who vote against the measure would not face punitive action.

The issue could come up for a vote as early as Oct. 23.

As quickly as Quinn’s news conference ended, elected officials and a satire group, Billionaires for Term Limits Except for Billionaires, spoke out.

“As billionaires we are just not used to limitations,” said a woman who went by the moniker Anita Yacht. Another billionaire added, “we paid for three terms and we’re going to get them.”

Other roadblocks to the mayor’s plan have been lifted in recent days. They include billionaire Ronald Lauder, who funded a campaign to create term limits in 1993, recently threw his support into the plan after opposing it.

Remaining hurdles include a conflict-of-interest complaint filed by two advocacy groups, saying that Bloomberg improperly used his position for his own benefit in making a deal with Lauder.

Mayoral candidate U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn-Queens) and Councilwoman Letitia James (D-Brooklyn) also continue to stand in the mayor’s way. James, who also complained to the Conflicts of Interest Board, countered Quinn’s statements about voters still having a choice in the 2009 election next year.

Council opponents are seeking to enact a voter referendum on term limits, which were approved by voters in 1993 and reaffirmed in 1996.

“You can still have a choice if you do things the right way,” she said. “Let the voters decide. That’s really the issue.”

Would your dog rather chew McCain or Obama?

Tuesday October 7, 2008 11:33 AM By Lauren Johnston

Who will your dog chew?

Do you have a politically-minded pooch at home who's just, like, so over rope tugs and Nylabones and would much prefer a more intellectual chew toy? Well, you're in luck - now they can gnaw on John McCain or Barack Obama.

These campaign dog toys come to you from the creators of the Michael Vick chew toy, Headline Pet Toys. The stuffed toys measure 11 inches tall and are made of cotton canvas and stuffed with polyester, and of course a squeaker for maximum chew satisfaction.

Maybe you want to get them the candidate they (you) support, or let them take a bite out of the White House hopeful they (you) just wanna sock every time you see them on TV.

It's probably too late to get these toys for tonight's town hall-style debate but you could get them in plenty of time [purchase here] for the third and final debate.

No word yet on whether the company will put out Joe Biden and Sarah Palin dolls. But as we told you last week, you can always dress your dog up like Sarah Palin -- either for the debate or Halloween.

New Yorkers on healthcare reform

Thursday October 2, 2008 1:45 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

Over on our sister blog, the latest Politirazzi hits the Streets videos are up.

Click above and check them out when you have a second; we hung out in midtown and asked ordinary New Yorkers what they wanted Barack Obama and John McCain to do with the healthcare system.

Haps around town today: Debate edition

Thursday October 2, 2008 8:41 AM By Lauren Johnston

Millions will tune in to watch the VP debate tonight, just waiting for gaffes and awkward moments, oh .. and um, intelligent discussion of the issues. So why sit at home alone for this kind of fun when you could share it with a bar full of friends?

We list here below a few watering holes (and other spots) that will host debate parties tonight:

Jake's Saloon: (202 9th Ave. in Manhattan) Sarah Palin fans will find good company at this Hell's Kitchen watering hole where the New York Young Republican Club is hosting a debate watch party. You don't have to be young or a card-carrying Republican to attend, but you do have to R.S.V.P. at rsvp@nyyrc.com.

Crocodile Lounge: (325 E. 14th St. in Manhattan) This Obama-friendly debate party is sponsored by Three Sheets to the West Wing, a group raffling off Obama paraphernalia to raise money for the campaign. Co-sponsor Heineken is offering free beer from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Village Pourhouse: (982-988 Amsterdam Ave. in Manhattan)

Grab a drink and register to vote at this Upper West Side spot, which will offer a 10 percent discount off the bill of all patrons who sign up or show a current voter's registration card. The bar also is serving up festive red and blue drinks, including the Obama Mama and McCallans McCain.

Pacific Standard: (82 4th Ave. in Brooklyn) This Park Slope bar shows all the debates on large projection screens and features beer specials and a political brew named Hop Obama.

The Diamond: (43 Franklin St. in Brooklyn)

Folks in Greenpoint can catch the debate on big screens at this craft beer bar.

And some other (non-saloon) spots to watch the debates:

8 p.m.: Queens Democrats Vice Presidential debate watching party; Mezzo

Mezzo, 31-29 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria, Queens.

8 p.m.: Harlem4Obama debate watching party; 2479 Frederick Douglass Blvd., Eighth Avenue and 133rd Street.

What's your Sarah Palin baby name?

Wednesday October 1, 2008 8:58 AM By Lauren Johnston

Sarah Palin could fit right in with the Hollywood crowd when it comes to off-beat baby names.

The celeb crowd has Pilot Inspektor (a la Jason Lee), Moxie CrimeFighter (a la Penn Jillette) and of course Apple, Phinnaeus, Suri and the rest of the gang.

Palin's sons are Trig and Track.

So now a game for you. What's your Sarah Palin baby name? Maybe you've played one of the many "What's your porn star name" games -- this is kind of like that. Plug in your name and it spits out a Palin-esque moniker. [Play it HERE]

From here on out, this Urbaniter will answer only to Flex Gunship Palin.

Bill Clinton will visit NYC talk shows this week

Sunday September 21, 2008 4:45 PM By Rolando Pujol

Former President Bill Clinton will make the rounds this week in New York City as he visits two late-night television shows.

Clinton will make his fifth guest appearance on CBS' Late Show with David Letterman, which airs Monday at 11:35 p.m., and his fourth appearance on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Tuesday, which will air at 11 p.m.

He is expected to speak about his charity organization, the Clinton Global Initiative. The three-year-old group said it has raised "upwards of $30 billion to impact more than 200 million lives in over 150 countries."

Its mission is to bring together leaders to address world problems like public health, the alleviation of poverty and resolving religious and ethnic conflict.

-- amNewYork

Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed (and free tonight)

Sunday September 21, 2008 10:23 AM By Rolando Pujol

Here's a cool flick you can check out tonight for free, if the Emmys aren't your thing.

"Chisholm' 72: Unbought & Unbossed," a look at iconic Brooklyn congresswoman Shirley Chisholm's 1972 run for the presidency, will be shown at 7:30 p.m. at Morningside Park. You can enter at 114th Street and walk up the stairs.

Among her many accomplishments, she was the first black woman elected to Congress, as well as the first to run for president on a major party. Learn about her story under the stars tonight.

Photos from 9/11 ceremonies: Seven years later

Thursday September 11, 2008 6:47 AM By Lauren Johnston

Getty Images

We're documenting the day in photos. Click for continuous photo updates from the Ground Zero ceremonies to commemorate the seven-year anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks [PHOTOS]

For coverage of past ceremonies:

Breaking News: Borough presidents eat pickles, discuss the issues

Monday September 8, 2008 1:15 PM By Pete Catapano

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer; Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz; Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión.

This just in from the office of omnipresent Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz: The five BPs in the city got together today at Junior’s restaurant for a summit to discuss “keeping or doing away with term limits, the City budget, mayoral control over public schools and budget cuts at the Department for the Aging (DFTA).”

This might be the biggest meeting since heads of the five families met in “The Godfather.”

From the picture it seems they also ate some pickles at what they called a “semi-annual” gathering.

— Pete Catapano

Republican National Convention 2004: When Manhattan was (briefly) painted red

Wednesday September 3, 2008 8:19 AM By Rolando Pujol

The RNC met at Madison Square Garden four years ago. (Photo by Jefferson Siegel)

Four years ago, the RNC had just concluded its eventful gathering in Manhattan. Revisit the madness here.

And check out fellow blogger Emily's look at efforts by some city Republicans to revamp the party's image here.

Barack Obama, Al Gore, and--gold medalist Shawn Johnson?!

Thursday August 28, 2008 3:50 PM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

Olympic gold medalist in gymnastcs Shawn Johnson, left, talks to Former Vice President Al Gore as they tour Invesco Field, the site of the Democratic National Convention in Denver. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Olympic gold medalist and America's sweetheart Shawn Johnson seems to have found a pretty good guide to show her around Invesco — former Vice President Al Gore.

She later led the pledge of allegiance for the crowd of 75,000 on the final night of the Democratic National convention.

Let's see if McCain includes Shawn in his next Obama 'celebrity' attack ad.

* Click here for more photos of Shawn Johnson, and 27 more celebrities spotted at the DNC

* Click here for all the photos from Sen. Obama's speech

* And click here to see photos of Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin competing and hanging out at the Olympics

Chicago 1968: Witness to Democratic history

Tuesday August 26, 2008 7:58 AM By Rolando Pujol

Anti-war protesters gather in Grant Park outside the Conrad Hilton, base of the Democratic National Committee. (Photo by Jefferson Siegel)

It was 40 years ago today that another Democratic National Convention began. In 1968, with the country torn apart by the Vietnam War and the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. earlier in the year, the Democrats gathered in Chicago for a convention that would come to be known as a "police riot."

Demonstrators had arrived en masse to protest the war policies of President Lyndon B. Johnson. His vice president, Hubert Humphrey, was a candidate, as was the anti-war candidate, Sen. Eugene McCarthy. Humphrey would win the nomination, only to lose to Richard M. Nixon in the general election. The war would continue for several more years, eventually claiming the lives of 58,000 U.S. troops.

In this photo, anti-war demonstrators gather in Grant Park, across the street from the Conrad Hilton, the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee. As people in the hotel turned their room lights on and off in a show of support for the protesters, the crowd cheered back.

* Click to see 12 more photos from the demonstrations

-- Jefferson Siegel

Edwards and 'Kenneth': Separated at birth?

Wednesday August 13, 2008 7:54 AM By Lauren Johnston

Sen. John Edwards circa 2000 bears a striking resemblance to our favorite southern dimbulb -- '30 Rock's' Kenneth.

We were startled, in fact, we gasped at this resemblance! Are "Kenneth" (Jack McBrayer) and John Edwards long lost twins?

While surfing through shots of Sen. John Edwards (looking for a good one to add to our political "Faces of Shame" photo gallery), we suddenly came across this photograph of the fresh-faced senator back in 2002 when he was gunning for the Al Gore veep spot.

The image snapped at a Tar Heel town hall meeting in Greenville, N.C. on Aug. 3, 2000.

The Edwards of a few years back - when the road ahead showed nothing but promise and possibility - is a dead ringer for fellow southern boy "Kenneth" - the lovably innocent - and, ahem, law-abiding and morally upright NBC page character on the still under-loved best-sitcom-since-Arrested-Development "30 Rock."

Why isn't the National Enquirer all over this? Couldn't it be Kenneth skulking around with ex-NYC party girl Rielle Hunter? Is Edwards just the fall guy?

Or if not -- maybe this opens up a new career opportunity for Edwards. If he's shamed out of politics for cheating on his cancer-stricken wife, then perhaps there's a future for him as Jack McBrayer's - Kenneth's -stunt double.

Who Is John McCain? I Mean, REALLY?

Thursday July 31, 2008 8:40 AM By Linda Perney

So, Barack Obama is Paris Hilton – or maybe he’s Britney Spears? For all we know, maybe he’s Marilyn Monroe (er, no, she was tied to another famous Democrat…)

So, if the Democratic spinmeisters were to follow in the footsteps of their Red State brethren, what would they make McCain?

John Wayne, maybe?

Or…or… The Manchurian Candidate? I mean, are we SURE the right McCain actually came back from that prison camp? I mean, do we KNOW that?

Holy politics

Sunday July 27, 2008 8:27 AM By Julie Gordon

Obama and McCain T-shirts are shmatas compared to these nifty new political statement pieces: candidate yarmulkes.

On the Obama version, one side says "Obamica" (Kippah is the Hebrew word for yarmulke), the other says "My bubby is voting Obama" (Bubbe means "grandmother"). McCain's says "McCippah" on one side and "John McCain is zayer shain" on the other (which means "John McCain is great").

— Julie Gordon

The haps around town today ...

Wednesday July 23, 2008 7:50 AM By Lauren Johnston

Protests, dance lessons, Broadway debuts ...

Noon: State Sen. Bill Perkins calls for an investigation into an alleged incident where NYPD officers drove a police car through Harlem with the head of a black infant doll displayed atop the car’s antennae; 163 West 125th St., 9th floor.

Noon: “So You Think You Can Dance” judge Mary Murphy launches new

dance exercise program based on Latin ballroom dance techniques;

Dance Times Square, 156 West 44th St., b/w Sixth Ave. & Broadway.

Now til 5 p.m.: Play mobile unit visits Samuel Bennerson Park for a day of fun, friendship and dancing; 64th Street, b/w Amsterdam and West End

2 p.m.: Hip hop artist Nas joins members of MoveOn.org to deliver petitions protesting Fox News coverage of Barack Obama; 1211 Sixth Ave.

7 p.m.: The 3rd annual Night of Dominican Embrace; Maestros Caterers,1703 Bronxdale Ave.

10:10 p.m.: Debut curtain call/photo opportunity with Bailey Hanks, winner

of MTV’s “Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods”; The Palace Theatre, 1564 Broadway

Obama inspires more art

Tuesday July 15, 2008 6:36 AM By Lauren Johnston

Last month we started documenting the rash of art, crafts and fashions so far inspired by Barack Obama: Here's a sampling from that post which appeared on our politics blog Politirazzi:

[PHOTOS OF THE REST]

We spotted this latest mural example on Grand Street in Williamsburg just off Havemeyer Street. And it also happens to be near a really good new Italian restaurant - Fiore. So if you go check it out, stay for dinner. It's all in this vicinity:

View Larger Map

-- Lauren Johnston

City Hall Dispatch: New poverty measure

Monday July 14, 2008 11:09 AM By David Freedlander

Today's Washington Post, in an article about Mayor Bloomberg's new poverty measure, says,

But Bloomberg's aides said that while food accounted for a third of household spending in the 1960s, food now accounts for only an eighth of spending, with housing and transportation taking a larger slice of income. The new measurement, put together by New York's Center for Economic Opportunity, takes into account a household's spending on food, clothing, shelter, transportation, utilities and out-of-pocket medical expenses.

This is interesting. There has been so much ink spilled recently about food prices rising, so it's a bit jarring to read that they have actually dropped as a percentage of household income by nearly 20 percentage points.

If I had to guess, my hunch would be that all other household expenditures--rent, energy, gas, health care, etc, have been rising pretty steadily through the years, while food prices have just undergone a rapid increase, leading to a similar rapid increase in alarming newspaper articles

---David Freedlander

Calls for scalping crackdown after Bon Jovi fiasco

Thursday July 10, 2008 1:06 PM By Pete Catapano

For die-hard Bon Jovi fans, news of the free concert in Central Park probably sounded like music to their ears…at first. But as amNew York reported Thursday, not all ticketholders can gain entry and some tickets are being resold for more than $1,000. Now, the deal seems a lot less sweet.

City Councilman Leroy Comrie is pointing to the fiasco as further proof that his Ticket Resale Consumer Fairness bill must be passed when it is brought to the floor in the fall.

Comrie introduced the bill after fans were unable to buy tickets to see Hannah Montana earlier this year. The bill would make it mandatory for any venue that gets public funding to reserve at least 40 percent of its tickets for sale to individuals, rather than larger companies that can resell the tickets at a higher price.

"I am confident that our city can find some recourse to level the playing field and afford the average consumer an opportunity to see an event that doesn't require going without lights and gas for a month," Comrie said in a statement.

— Megan Stride

(AP)

9/11 families: Finish memorial by Sept. 11, 2011

Thursday July 10, 2008 12:52 PM By David Freedlander

Family members of victims killed in the attack on the World Trade Center released a strongly-worded letter Thursday urging the Port Authority to keep to its original timetable and finish the 9/11 Memorial planned for the site by the tenth anniversary of the attacks.

"Having the Memorial open and accessible is important to us as family members, especially since so many of us were never able to bury our loved ones and this is the place we will go to mourn and reflect," the letter states.

"We believe that with the dedicated hearts and minds of all involved in the rebuilding, the Memorial can be publicly accessible and permanently open in three year's time."

Many observers have criticized the rebuilding of the World Trade Center to be too focused on the need for a patriotic response to the terrorist attacks instead of focusing on the city's needs for one of its most valued pieces of real estate.

The families still hold great emotional sway with many stakeholders, and many wondered how they would react to news that the memorial would be delayed.

Some have speculated that if the reaction was tame, other parts of the rebuilding that were announced after the attacks, such as 1,776 foot Freedom Tower, could be scaled back as well.

"2011 is a realistic date, all they have to do is make the decision," said Thomas Roger, whose daughter, Jean Roger, was a flight attendant on American Airlines 11, which slammed into the North Tower.

The Memorial can not be completed until work on the PATH station is over with. Roger said that the Port Authority could meet its target date of 2011 regardless whether they decide to go ahead with the soaring Santiago Calatrava designed station or scale it back considerably, as long as a decision is made soon and work begun immediately.

"They know they can get it done, they don't want to make the hard political decision,," he said. "You can work it down to a cost per day based on their indecision."

In a statement, Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman responded, "We respect the families position and our working with all the stakeholders to move the Memorial and all the projects on the site forward as quickly as possible."

--David Freedlander

Freeze frame for peace at Grand Central

Thursday July 10, 2008 7:51 AM By Lauren Johnston

United for Peace and Justice will hold a freeze frame for five minutes to promote peace with Iran today during the evening rush hour at Grand Central Terminal.

At 5:40 p.m., about 200 people wearing shirts and signs that say "Peace with Iran" plan to suddenly stop in their tracks and remain frozen for five minutes, with the hopes that the harried commuters around them will pause to absorb their message.

"Part of why we chose to do this action is that it’s something that grabs people’s attention. It’s a dramatic action that’s very simple ... and reaches people in a very visual way," said group spokesperson Leslie Kielson.

If you want to join the group, meet at 5 p.m. at Lexington and 42nd Street. At 5:30, demonstrators will fan out through the commuter crowd in the Great Hall and freeze at 5:40 p.m.

-- Lauren Johnston

City Hall Dispatch: Fundraiser gone awry

Thursday July 10, 2008 7:39 AM By David Freedlander

Urbanite talked to some waaayyy pissed off folks this morning who attended the Dave Chappelle fundraiser last night for Kevin Powell, who is running to unseat 8-term incumbent Ed Towns in the 10th Congressional District covering Fort Greene and Bed-Stuy.

Besides what attendees describe as an hour-long wait in the rain to get in and cramped conditions once inside, the coup de grace was that headliner Chappelle, expected to make one of his rare stops on the stand-up circuit, failed to show.

Attendees, who paid between 50 and 100 bucks a pop to attend were told after several hours of waiting around that there had been a plane mishap, but that if they put their name on a piece of paper then they would be able to attend another Chappelle/Powell event, if there is one.

“It would have been fine if they had just said, ‘Look guys, we can’t apologize enough for this, there was a problem with Chappelle’s plane and we promise we’ll get you in the next time we have an event,’ but instead they just go, ‘If you have a pen put your name down on a piece of paper on your way out and we’ll try to get you credit for another event,”’ said Vic Drabicky, who attended because he saw the event listed in amNewYork.

“I thought it was going to be one of those cool experiences you only get in New York, but it turned into just being a complete mess. If you can’t get the right message out to 500 people who support you, how are you going to convince Congress to go along with your agenda?”

The crowd was also told that Chris Rock was there (as were RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan and ?uestlove of the Roots) but Rock didn’t perform. Perhaps the organizers wanted to let everyone know that the celebs in attendance were getting screwed too?

To make matters worse, and this was shocking and deeply offensive to City Hall Dispatch, apparently most attendees were there not to learn about Powell’s plans for health care and the economy, but to see this Chappelle character, who is apparently a comedian of some sort.

We’re awaiting word from the Powell campaign.

Meanwhile, more on Powell can be found in tomorrow’s edition of amNewYork.

And fortunately, Azi’s got the video of Powell’s speech.

Obamart

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:48 PM By David Freedlander

In the spirit of Urbanite's endless quest to capture all manner of representations of Barack Obama, we give you the following via Newsgrist

(found in Bushwick and on 39th Street, respectively)

Click to see more art inspired by Obama

---David Freedlander

Silverstein, Trump, Wright say union yes!

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:16 PM By Rolando Pujol

They build it union, so should you. That's the rallying call of these three massive billboards at West 35th Street and Seventh Avenue, and New York City Union Carpenters and Contractors has tapped some heavy hitters to promote their cause.

Larry Silverstein gets a shoutout for his union-built 7 World Trade Center; Donald Trump gets the same love for his ever controversial Trump SoHo; and David Wright stands in for Fred Wilpon and his union-constructed CitiField.

Here's a look at some projects the union has going. And in a 21st century equivalent of looking for the union label, here's what you need to do to get your own pro-union Yanks, Mets or WTC pins.

-- Rolando Pujol

Con Ed talks down to the wire

Tuesday July 1, 2008 10:41 AM By Rolando Pujol

Updated 7:05: With a midnight strike deadline looming, talks between Con Edison and a union representing 9,000 of its workers are coming down to wire.

If talking seems futile later tonight, the union is prepared to walk.

"It’s much too early to get our arms around it right now," said Joe Flaherty, a spokesman for the union, in an interview with amNewYork around 6:30 p.m.

A mediator is sitting down with Utility Workers Union Local 1-2 and power company representatives at 345 Hudson St.

Wages are one of several issues the two sides have been unable to agree upon. Late last week, Con Ed offered a 4 percent raise over the next three years. Some additional pay increases required approval by employees' supervisors.

The union had rejected the offer as an insult and accused the utility of negotiating in bad faith.

Michael Clendenin, a spokesman for Con Ed, said negotiations "can go either way." The company wants "a settlement that would be fair to our employees and something that would hold down costs for our customers."

"We're not their yet," he said.

Asked if the clock would be pushed back, Clendenin said it's possible.

“We are prepared to work as long as it takes to get a settlement,” he added.

Clendenin said customers won't notice if workers strike.

“If there is a strike the power will continue to flow. Our managers are prepared to keep our electric, gas, and steam running."

Some routine maintenance won't be done and there will be curtailing of meter reading in the event of a strike.

“Any emergency or outages that occur we're prepared to respond to," Clendenin said.

Flaherty disagrees with the idea of a strike without an impact to service.

"You think that 9,000 workers can walk off the job and it would have no effect? Does that sound reasonable to you?”

-- Matthew Sweeney

Pass the pita ...

Monday June 30, 2008 9:40 AM By Julie Gordon

... and take a bite out of Barack Obama?

Strange thought, we know, but right now at the Javits Center three giant hummos sculptures are on display: the heads of Obama, John McCain and Hillary Clinton.

As part of the Fancy Food Show, Mediterranean food brand Sabra had sand sculptor Kirk Rademaker create the massive heads from 100 lbs. of hummus. We know what we're NOT having for lunch today!

Though they resemble Mr. Potato Head, the sculptures are still pretty cool. They are on display until Tuesday.

— Julie Gordon

'Obama art' popping up all over

Tuesday June 24, 2008 9:12 AM By Jamshid Mousavinezhad

Stroll over to our sister blog Politirazzi when you have a sec, one of our 'citizen bloggers' has a neat roundup of all the 'Obama art' that's been popping up all over.

* See all the art, plus a few more, in this photo gallery

* Photos from Barack Obama's family album

* Photos from NYC museum's exhibit of art from 200 years of U.S. political history

Forecast calls for sunshine

Thursday June 19, 2008 11:56 AM By David Freedlander

With the legislative session drawing to a close, it appears that a plan to limit New York's Freedom of Information Law has died.

The bill, S.8446/A. 11432, would limit disclosure of correspondence, memoranda, and other documents arising out of an examination, investigation or inquiry and make these documents exempt from freedom of information laws, disclosure under public officers law, or subpoena."

It passed the Senate without a sponsor, which lead NYPIRG's Blair Horner to tell the Albany Times-Union, "that's how you know a bill really stinks."

Robert Freeman, of the Committee of Open Government and New York's resident FOIL expert, told Urbanite that the law was "unnecessary."

"As a principle I don't like to see blanket exemptions. I just don't believe there is a strong rationale for this."

The bill was at the request of the state's Department of Insurance, who wanted to make companies more forthcoming in their insurance disclosures, and feared that they wouldn't be if prying reporters interfered.

"I don't think it's going anywhere in our house," said Assemb. Mark Weprin (D-Little Neck) who serves on the Insurance Committee. "If you believe in open government you have to have serious concerns about this."

---David Freedlander

Fashionably proud

Wednesday June 18, 2008 2:16 PM By Julie Gordon

Designer Zac Posen showed off his Obama love Tuesday night in a fashionable way (because, really, how else would he do it?)

He sported this "Yes We Can" T as part of his ensemble for a cocktail event at the Harold Pratt House and a dinner at Philippe, both held in celebration of the upcoming New Yorkers for Children Fall Gala.

Is this a preview of what's to come at September's Fashion Week? And, more importantly, will anyone dare to sport a John McCain shirt?

— Julie Gordon

Needle exchange programs look to avoid budget axe

Monday June 16, 2008 12:54 PM By David Freedlander

AIDS activists rallied on the steps of City Hall Monday to maintain the City Council to restore funding for needle exchange programs.

“The issue is not about supporting someone’s drug habit, it’s about educating them on what drugs can do and preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS,” said councilwoman Annabel Palma (D-the Bronx,) who has lead the fight on funding.

“We are still at the forefront of this issue. We have made huge progress in New York City.”

The city began syringe exchange programs in 1993 and has seen the number of intravenous drug users with HIV drop considerably over the last 15 years, from 6,630 reported cases to just 759 in 2004, according to the New York City Aids Housing Network, an umbrella organization.

Between September 20007 and April 2008 nearly 100,000 clean syringes were given out at various locations in the five boroughs

“The impact in New York City has been extreme,” said Joyce Rivera, executive director of the St. Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction, a Bronx-based needle exchange program.

“This is like distributing condoms. It is a direct primary intervention.”

But in a recession, city budgets are lean and Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed steep budget cuts across all city agencies.

“I know there is a tremendous pressure from parents and from unions to put money back into things like education, but this is a small number compared to that,” said councilman Oliver Koppel (D-Bronx.)

“Everything may get cut to accommodate those other priorities but I hope not. This is important.”

Those that use them say the needle exchange programs are more than important—they are life saving.

“In the old days syringes were so hard to come by, people were constantly passing them around,” said George Bethos, a decades long intravenous drug user who has been clean for a month and a half. “If it weren’t for needle exchange, I’d be HIV positive or dead.”

---David Freedlander

Obama and McCain: Vote for your favorite ... condom?

Thursday June 12, 2008 3:57 PM By Rolando Pujol

Forget campaign buttons. There’s a new way to show which candidate you support.

The company Practice Safe Policy is now selling condoms emblazoned with the images of presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain.

The Obama wrapper begs the user to “Use with good judgment” and the Web site asks “Who says experience is necessary?”

McCain, who at 71 is certainly the elder of the two candidates, has a wrapper that boasts that the product is “Old but not expired.”

Benjamin Sherman, creator of Practice Safe Policy, told the Associated Press that while the campaign is serious, he wanted to have some fun.

Interested voters can order the personalized protection at mccaincondoms.com and obamacondoms.com for $9.95 for a pair.

-- Megan Stride

City Hall Dispatch: Mayor Cuomo?

Thursday June 12, 2008 2:30 PM By David Freedlander

Grace Rauh kicks the Cuomo-for-mayor can down the street with a story on the front page of yesterday's NY Sun.

The article points out that:

A) none of the current candidates are exciting voters much

B) As current Attorney General and former HUD secretary (and former gubernatorial candidate) Cuomo is perhaps more qualified qualified than anyone else.

c) He's put forth a good record in the AG's chair, continuing on the Eliot Spitzer tradition of crusading attorneys general, and the people have responded, giving him a 62% approval rating, higher than either Christine Quinn's or Bill Thompson's.

Plus, as City Hall News noted earlier this month

Cuomo's options for advancement are slim. With a Democratic field lacking a towering figure, the mayor's race may provide an opening. City Hall, after all, is just a short walk from his apartment.

It is also worth noting that, unlike some other '09 mentionables like Scott Stringer and Jerrold Nadler, Cuomo is outside the whole Manhattan political orbit, so wouldn't need to worry about upsetting the boat anywhere.

Except, of course, at the polls.

--David Freedlander