Edge of the City Endorses Andrew Cuomo For Governor.... But Has Hopes For Cynthia Nixon

I was tempted to do a protest vote for Cynthia. And there are several reasons for this - the biggest being Cuomo's terrible job fixing our subway system. This has really hurt the quality of life for those of us living in this part of Queens who rely on express train service to Manhattan both for our daily commutes and on the weekends.

And yet it seems like there is no urgency coming from him in this matter.

How can this be?

When did it become normal for us to have disrupted subway service from Queens into Manhattan every single weekend? This has been going on for years. Signal modernization virtually every weekend for several years -- and counting? Seriously?

What about thinking out of the box? Coming up with a radical new plan that will solve the NYC subway system problem once and for all? Where is it? What is taking so long?

I was almost going to do a protest vote.... almost.... and then a close friend reminded me that, especially in this age of the freak show in the White House, any person running for office, especially a higher office as important as Governor, needs experience in governing.

And it is for that reason that I am endorsing Governor Cuomo. With all his faults, he is still a Democrat - something vitally important in this time when the Traitorous Republican Party needs to be thrown out of power EVERY SINGLE PLACE where it is in this country.

We simply cannot risk a Republican possibly winning against an inexperienced, rookie politician like Cynthia Nixon. Not during this dangerous time when our freedom and democracy are being threatened by the Republicans, who for whatever bizarre reason, continue to support and protect a person who is obviously a demagogue and a traitor to our nation.

Cynthia Nixon looks to me like a very promising politician with a potentially great future ahead of her. But she should really gain some experience in governing before she jumps to an office as important and as powerful as Governor of NY, having held no elected position before.

How about gaining some experience at the local level in some capacity and working your way up? Let's revisit your candidacy for Governor after that, say in 10 years or so, after you have actually governed something. Deal?

  

Live Coverage of Bernie Sanders Rally in Washington Square Park

Alan Hevesi To Speak on 2016 Elections

Experts are estimating that $5 billion will be spent on the presidential campaigns and yet,former New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi observes, there is often little serious debate on the critical life and death issues facing our country.  

On Monday, March 7, Hevesi will speak on the 2016 elections at 1:30 p.m. at the Central Queens Y in Forest Hills.   As a seasoned veteran of political campaigns and politics, Alan Hevesi, former Assemblyman, New York City and State Comptroller, and Professor of Political Science will offer his observations on this campaign season.  The Central Queens Y is  located at 67-09 108 Street, Forest Hills, NY 11375.  All programs are always open to the public.  An $8 voluntary donation is suggested.  More information is available at (718) 268-5011, ext.151, or pkurtz@cqy.org.

In an increasingly angry and divisive political environment and presidential campaign season, Hevesi observes, some well qualified candidates and some ill qualified candidates are competing for the most difficult and powerful job on the planet.  Our country faces critical issues, including our involvement in increasingly brutal and seemingly intractable Middle East conflicts, the urgent need for quick action on climate change, resolution to the national debate on the health care system, and ending gun violence.  At the same time, these issues often receive minimal substantive discussion in the  public debates.  Hevesi will discuss his observations on the current political campaign season, as well as sharing an insider’s view of electoral politics.  

 The Central Queens YM & YWHA is a non-profit community center offering recreational, educational, cultural and social events to enhance the quality of life in the Central Queens community. The Y is an agency of UJA- Federation.

My Dream Mayor

By the way, you wanna know who I think would be the perfect mayor of NYC? This guy...

I know, wrong state and all. But one can dream... Makes me almost want to pick up and move across the Hudson. Those guys are so lucky...

Weiner Returns Home for a Visit

Anthony Weiner was campaigning in Forest Hills this morning at the corner of Austin and 71st Continental Ave.

Multi-Layers of Political Fun

Boy oh boy, is this a layer cake of politics or what? I can't recall a single political choice fraught with such importance in so many different ways:

Christie Decides on October Vote for New Senator
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey’s announcement of an unusual special election was immediately criticized for costing the state $24 million and for setting up a schedule that was likely to confuse the voting public.

Weiner Hate

Anthony Weiner “Bored” At New York City Mayoral Debate

Still, if no one else joins the race, he's got my vote as the best of the bunch. Perhaps sad, but it is what it is.

Anthony Weiner is Running Against Himself

I don't know yet whether I would support Anthony Weiner for Mayor. I DO know that I thought he would make an excellent mayor in the past, but that was before the Twitter scandal when he lied to the press and all of us about what he was doing. Normally, that would discount him in my eyes from being a viable candidate. But this year, all of the other candidates are so not up to the job, that I too am on the fence about this. Am I willing to excuse what are clearly the actions of a troubled man who has an undeniable talent for politics and—if not for the scandal—posesses, in my opinion, the energy, intelligence, personality, heart, and—very importantly—THE CHARISMA, to be an excellent mayor of New York?

This is not about forgiving really. It is about whether a troubled person is up to the task of leading our city. Yes, many of us struggle with our personal demons. But his were so self-destructive, I wonder if he is up to the daily pressure of running the city. But then again, do I want Christine Quinn as my Mayor? Absolutely not. There is no there, there. She seems like all calculation and no heart. She screams "PHONY!" to me. Not the type of person I want as my Mayor.

So, let's just say that for now I am leaning towards supporting Anthony Weiner for Mayor.  And that's really only because, in my view, barring anyone else entering the race, at least for now, he is running against himself.

Mayoral Race Heating Up...

... Or, at least one of the candidates is. This profile of Christine Quinn--and her temper--is getting a lot of buzz since it appeared in The Times several days ago. Not being personally very impressed by Mrs. Quinn thus far, I was ready to come away after reading it with even more dislike for her. But honestly, after reading it I'm not so sure. Is this the kind of person that is needed to govern a city like New York? Or would her rather autocratic governing style be disastrous for the City? Is she motivated by her passion for the issues, or her passion for unadulterated power? What do you all think?

Offstage, Quinn Isn’t Afraid to Let Fury Fly

Christine C. Quinn, the mayoral candidate and City Council speaker, is known for her boisterous personality, but colleagues say they are often stunned by her temper.

Second Debate

I thought that was a masterful job by President Obama in last night's debate. His tone was perfect, right on target, clear, and forceful when he needed to be. Check out the segment in the video at around 1:12:00 :

Coincidence?

Kind of convenient for the Republicans, isn't it, that suddenly there's all this anti-American tumult in the Middle East. Also kind of convenient that it should suddenly happen right on the heels of President Obama's big post-convention bounce. Also, kind of interesting that it hits Obama at one of his strengths: foreign policy. Also, kind of interesting that it was all started by a trailer on youtube for a movie that doesn't seem to actually exist. Also, kind of interesting this trailer was made by some mystery man with what seems to be a false identity. Also, kind of interesting that the trailer appears to have been funded by right-wing activists. Hmmm, coincidence? More likely Mitt Romney's October Surprise come a month early, and meant to derail Obama's momentum after his awesome Convention, and Romney's disastrous one. 

The Clint Eastwood Speech

Personally, I thought Clint's speech was probably the only interesting thing I saw in the convention. And I thought the 82-year Eastwood used a creative, and very memorable, way to drive home his point.

But, therein lies the problem.

It was too memorable, and as a result, a huge strategic blunder, on par with, for example, Mike Dukakis allowing himself to be photographed in that tank (see below).

Think about it — even the right-wing rag, the New York Post, which would love more than anything to see a Republican in the White House, couldn't resist putting Eastwood, not Romney, on its front page the day after what was supposed to be Romney's big night!

What a strategic blunder! And that is what I think is the most important thing to come from the Clint Eastwood speech. It says something not about Eastwood, but about Romney's decision-making capabilities and poor judgement. After all, Romney made the decision to have Eastwood speak right before he did. It also reveals Romney's poor judgment in choosing his campaign staff. Did not one of them think Eastwood might overshadow their candidate? So their misjudgment ended up probably costing their candidate all the positive exposure his biggest speech was supposed to give him.

These types of gaffes are probably more important than any speech in showing us the true capabilities of a candidate. It can be argued that the real value of our incredibly overly long presidential campaigns come in these moments. When mistakes in judgement reveal the real capabilities — or lack thereof in this case — of the candidates.

Huh?

I'm sorry, but the Republicans are having Condoleezza Rice speak at their convention tonight for what reason exactly? Are they aware that this person was part of the most incompetent  administration we've had in the White House maybe, like, ever? Why would they want to be associated with the team that brought us Iraq and other disasters? I don't get it. And I never understood their — and the media's for that matter — love affair with this person. What am I missing? Someone help me out here. I'm all ears.

Huntley Charged with Corruption

A busy news day for us Forest Hillers...

Queens State Senator Charged in Corruption Investigation
Shirley L. Huntley was charged with tampering with evidence, conspiracy in the fifth degree and falsifying business records.

Romney Doing Darn Best to Start Intifada No. 3

Laughable! Moronic! This is an insult to stupid people.... Oh, I can go on and on... What a moronic bunch of crap....

The Caucus: Romney Comments on Palestinians Draw Criticism

Mitt Romney's remarks at a fund-raiser suggesting cultural differences accounted for disparities between the per capita incomes of Israel and the Palestinians, have drawn criticism.

And Mr. Erekat is correct in what he is quoted as saying in this article. The comments are racist——putrid, racist filth. Disgraceful coming from a person who wants to be President of the United States. It's an insult to every American. What is this man even doing there?? It's fuckn' embarrassing!

New Poll: Anthony Weiner's Future

Grace Meng Wins Democratic Primary

Grace Meng has won the Democratic Primary in our Congressional District.
Congratulations to a fellow U of M alumni. Go Blue !!


I am also quite happy to report that Bob Turner lost the Republican Primary for U.S. Senate! That guy was really rubbing me the wrong way in this last election. I mean, if you hold a position, at least have the decency to be proud of it! Did it really have to take like a year or more of ducking questions before you finally admitted you wanted to repeal the marriage rights of thousands of gay New Yorkers?
Sir, we really expect the people we elect to office to be at least be upfront with us about their positions—however disgusting, repulsive and outdated they are.

My Political Malaise

I've kind of been wondering why I have had absolutely no desire to post about the current presidential campaign. I think it's because somewhere deep down in my sub-conscious I realized a while ago that it was all so much more tedious than it is worth it. I concluded, oh, about three years ago, that Obama will probably be re-elected without much effort. And nothing, after these 20 Republican debates, has occurred to change that prediction in my mind.

It goes without saying that what passes for the Republican Party today is so out of touch with mainstream American voters that the party has virtually no chance of reclaiming the White House in the foreseeable future.

Of course, there's always the possibility that things spiral out of control, the center does not hold, etc.. etc... (Iran, oil shortages, EU collapse, etc... any of these crisis can become major at any time, potentially opening the way for one of the Republicans to somehow win the election), but barring that I think this will be a landslide win for Obama.

Don't Forget to Vote!

Remember, today is the special vote to determine who will take over Anthony Weiner's congressional seat. Be sure to cast your vote for Democrat David Weprin! If you don't love Weprin, at least you'll be voting against the radical Bob Turner! Just what we need, more Bush-era policies to make our economy even worse! Vote for Turner and I predict if you think things are bad today, just wait. Check back on this blog in a couple of years from now. You think things are bad today? More of the Bush-era policies of supporting only the interests of the super rich over the rest of us. My God, these people even had the audacity to try to harm our entire nation by refusing to raise the debt ceiling, all in an attempt to score political points against Obama! Treason if I have ever seen it!

Vote for Bob Turner and I predict your head will be spinning in a couple of years things will be so bad here. You read it here first! :)

Defeat Bob Turner Sept. 13th!

Let's hope Bob Turner does not win the special election on Sept. 13th. I actually wasn't very motivated to write about this special election to fill Congressman Anthony Weiner's seat, until that is I received Republican Bob Turner's latest flyer stating his position that religious education should receive more funding!

My God! That's one of the most radical, dangerous positions an American politician can stress! Why would he do that?? With all the problems facing this country today, we are supposed to turn to religion to solve them? Does he want us to reenter a Dark Ages? Jesus!

Defeat Bob Turner Sept. 13th

So, thank you Mr. Turner for clearing that up for me, and motivating me to blog about this election! Edge of the City supports Democrat David Weprin for Congress on Sept. 13th. We certainly have enough problems without having to drag God and one of the most personal things a human being can treasure, his or her faith and spirituality, into it.

Here is some information about Mr. Weprin's political position, pretty much all of which are progressive and sound:

Weprin's views are generally characterized as liberal. He generally supports increased revenue to balance the budget instead of reducing spending or cutting government. He opposed the Budget Control Act of 2011 which raised the debt ceiling and created the super-committee to find spending cuts because he favored an increased revenue approach He believes in man-made global warming and supports cap-and-trade.

Elect David Weprin on Sept. 13th.

He supports gay marriage, and voted in favor of the law legalizing same-sex marriage in New York while noting that it was the right thing to do. Weprin is opposed to privatization of social security or any other changes to the program. David Weprin has been very supportive of gun control by the government. He has supported or sponsored legislation to outlaw the purchase of firearms for people involved in a domestic violence incident in New York, and legislation to end the sale of toy guns in New York to prevent accidental shootings by cops.

State Assemblyman Weprin practices Orthodox Judaism and is a strong supporter of Israel and the US-Israel relationship. He was critical of President Obama's comments that Israel should consider returning to pre-1967 borders in an effort to engender peace with the Palestinians. He also objected to President Obama's treatment of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He opposes further Israeli concessions and land-for-peace deals.