By Azi Paybarah 8/11/11 1:09pm

stockpiling

Rep. Charlie Rangel, with his wife, Alma, and singer Aretha Franklin, at the congressman's birthday party fund-raiser in the Crown Plaza last night. (photo credit: azi paybarah / observer)

Democrats Party with Rangel, Aretha Franklin Gives Wal-Mart a Shout Out

One year after a House Ethics investigation tainted Rep. Charlie Rangel’s 80th birthday party fundraiser, the Harlem veteran threw himself another party on Wednesday night, and many of New York’s major Democratic figures were there.

Governor Andrew Cuomo made an early appearance but left before the night’s emcee — his predecessor, David Paterson — began introducing the night’s speakers. Cuomo and Paterson did run into one another. (“Hey, young man!” Cuomo said as he embraced Paterson. The two spoke privately as several aides surrounded the two men.)

“I read a piece that said [Rangel's] running again. That’ll be his decision,” Cuomo told the Observer in a brief interview. “If he runs, he’ll be a formidable candidate. You can feel the support in the room. And we’ll take it from there.” Read More

By David Freedlander 7/05/11 6:01pm

NY-9

City Councilman Eric Ulrich (photo credit: azi paybarah / observer)

Ulrich Declines to Run for Congress

NY1 is reporting that City Councilmember Eric Ulrich will reveal tonight that he is not going to seek the Congressional seat vacated by Anthony Weiner.

“I have a great job, I love what I do,” Ulrich told the network. “I have the benefit of working with some really great people on the City Council and did I want to give up the rest of my term on the City Council and possibly getting re-elected in 2013 or even re-elected after that because of the term limits loophole, to be in Congress for a year-and-a-half? That was something that I really had to think about. In talking with my family and friends, that was one of the reasons why I decided not to do this.” Read More

By Azi Paybarah 6/15/11 1:56am

anthony weiner

Staying or Going? Either way, Anthony Weiner isn't making it easy for New York. (photo credit: azi paybarah / observer)

Anthony’s Exposure: New York Has a Long Hard Weiner Problem

After a nationally watched campaign in upstate New York, Kathy Hochul made her New York City debut Monday morning at the stately University Club on West 54th Street.Hundreds of guests attending the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Breakfast milled around a breakfast buffet of muffins and fruit salad, while their host, Nora Brenes, introduced Mrs. Hochul as the winner of a special election “that came about as a result of our male New York congress members who keep taking their shirts off,” according to one attendee.

The crowd laughed, because an Anthony Weiner joke at a Democratic political function is one that needs no explanation. He is, much to the chagrin of his New York colleagues, everywhere: overshadowing their message, imperiling a safe congressional seat, and affecting their redistricting plans. Read More