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Colin Campbell

By Colin Campbell 6/19 8:39am

suggested reading

Eliot Spitzer in 2006. (Photo: Getty)

Morning Read: ‘Tailor Messages Based on Brands of Toilet Paper’

Headline of the Day: “Joe Lhota, Everyman, Wears Costco Clothes.”

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer took another swipe at current Gov. Andrew Cuomo last night. “It has been a uniquely unsuccessful legislative session. I think Andrew is acknowledging that,” he said on Road to City Hall. “He’s being caught in the bind of having essentially acquiesced to a reasonably conservative republican majority in the Senate … Now the progressive agenda he says he wants is never going to get through that Senate.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/18 11:05am

Punditry

weiner-pun-cover

New York Post Editor Defends Weiner Puns on Australian TV

Both at the time of his scandal and now during his political comeback attempt, the New York Post has simply reveled in making pun after pun with Anthony Weiner’s last name. But don’t expect any apologies.

Asked what he’d say to critics who have accused his publication of being immature, Post editor in chief Col Allan bluntly told the Australian news program Lateline, “I don’t know. They got to develop a sense of humor, I guess.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/18 9:00am

suggested reading

Christine Quinn, executive director of the New York Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, awards $10,000 to man who helped solve the murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace in 1997. (Photo: Getty)

Morning Read: ‘Addiction Runs Deep’

Headline of the Day: “Christine Quinn acknowledges she has opponents, in a speech attacking them.”

Brooklyn Council candidate Igor Oberman has another labor endorsement to add onto his growing pile: the Hotel Trades Council, a relatively small union touted for its effective organizing abilities. In announcing his support for Mr. Oberman today, HTC’s political director Josh Gold said, “Igor has shown that he has a plan to grow the economy in his community, ensuring that our members thrive in his district and throughout New York. That’s why we are excited to not only endorse Igor, but work hard on his campaign this summer.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/17 9:31pm

ruh roh

Preet Bharara announcing the arrest of State Senator Malcolm Smith and Councilman Dan Halloran. (Photo: Getty)

U.S. Attorney Says New Yorkers ‘Can Expect More’ Corruption Cases

The string of corruption arrests in New York State is far from over, according to the man who has issued many of the indictments.

In a rare televised interview with Capital Tonight, Preet Bharara, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said even more public corruption cases can be expected to emerge due to the “pervasive” nature of the problem in the state. Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/17 12:16pm

Bill's Band

Bill de Blasio and James Sanders. (Photo: Facebook)

James Sanders Endorses Bill de Blasio

Thus far in the mayoral race, almost all of Bill de Blasio’s endorsements have come from the battleground borough of the Bronx, but today he is branching out to Queens, where State Senator James Sanders is joining the public advocate’s team.

In a statement, Mr. Sanders, whose district includes the Hurricane Sandy-ravaged Rockaways, touted Mr. de Blasio’s support in the aftermath of the storm. Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/17 8:22am

suggested reading

Senator Schumer and "the Williamsburg hipsters." (Photo: Twitter/@SenSchumer)

Morning Read: ‘A Lot of People Call Her a Dictator’

Headline of the Day: “Photo: Chuck Schumer Drinks Beer With ‘Williamsburg Hipsters.’”

Alternate: “Quinn Borrows a Line From Weiner, Who Probably Stole It From Someone Else.”

Ola Alabi scored CWA 1180′s endorsement in her bid to replace outgoing Councilwoman Tish James. “Their commitment to social and economic justice, expanding opportunities for all, reforming the civil service system and the tax structure are truly progressive ideals,” Ms. Alabi told Politicker in a statement. “I look forward to working with them to ensure progress for all!” Read More

By Colin Campbell and Ross Barkan 6/15 1:20pm

Family Matters

Huma Abedin and Hillary Clinton. (Photo: Saul Loeb/Getty)

Weiner Defends Huma’s Honor in Face of Iowa Senator’s Inquiry

Yesterday, Politico and other outlets reported that Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, was investigating whether Huma Abedin’s role in the U.S. State Department conflicted with her private consulting work. Ms. Abedin, of course, is the wife of Anthony Weiner, a Democrat mounting a high-profile campaign for mayor this year. Politicker caught up with Mr. Weiner earlier today to get his take on the situation.

The former congressman, speaking broadly, touted his wfe’s accomplishments in pubic life while insisting everything she did was “above board.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/14 4:09pm

Sinking Ship

Dan Halloran, at a happier time, announcing for Congress last year.

Dan Halloran Loses Another Staffer

Embattled Councilman Dan Halloran, whom federal prosecutors have charged with quarterbacking a bribery scheme to rig the mayor’s race, is having trouble holding staff members.

First, Mr. Halloran’s legislative director, John Mulvey, bailed, followed by his chief of staff, Chrissy Voskerichian. And today, Kevin Ryan, Mr. Halloran’s spokesman, just did the same. Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/14 8:46am

suggested reading

The Daily News worked a hot dog-themed photograph into Obamacare story.

Morning Read: ‘I’m Definitely Going to Use the Internet Better Than Him’

Headline of the Day: “Bloomberg’s new resiliency plan nods (on page 406!) to a congestion pricing scheme.”

The context of Anthony Weiner‘s “coined” Obamacare claim does seem to clarify what he meant: “…a term, by the way, that I coined and used proudly, long before the administration decided it was a good idea. And I got yelled at by the White House for using it, and then they eventually reached the place where they used it.” That didn’t stop the tabloids from piling on, of course. It’s also not clear that he was the first Democrat to embrace the term. Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/13 4:01pm

Claims

Anthony Weiner. (Photo: Getty)

Anthony Weiner Extols His ‘Undeniable Buzz’ and Ability to ‘Make History’

“I’m the underdog…” Anthony Weiner wrote in an email to supporters this afternoon. “…but that’s fine by me.”

In what at first seems like a humble fund-raising pitch, Mr. Weiner quickly pivots to tout the impact his mayoral campaign has already had on the city’s political scene. Mr. Weiner, a celebrity candidate of sorts thanks to his high-profile sexting two years ago, specifically lauds its “undeniable buzz.” Read More