By Jill Colvin 5/07 6:40pm

Takes

Congresswoman Grace Meng (Photo: Thos Robinson/Getty Images for Women's Campaign Fund)

Grace Meng’s First Policy Letter Critiques Chuck Schumer’s Immigration Bill

It’s not just conservatives who are critiquing Sen. Chuck Schumer and the rest of the so-called “Gang of Eight” for their immigration bill.

Freshman Congresswoman Grace Meng, a steady liberal hand, is also urging to re-assess the latest version of the proposed federal immigration overhaul. But her warnings come with a unique twist: potential damage to Asian-American immigrant families.

In her first such letter to lawmakers on a major piece of legislation, Ms. Meng, New York’s first Asian-American Congresswoman, told Mr. Schumer, New York’s most politically powerful voice in Washington, that she has concerns about certain provisions of the sweeping reform bill, which is set to be taken up by the Senate Judiciary Committee this week. Read More

By Colin Campbell 12/04/12 1:03pm

Texts From Hillary

hillary letter

Hillary Clinton’s Under-the-Radar Letter Writing Campaign

As rumors mount that outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may run for president in 2016, the former First Lady took steps to solidify her relationships with some Democrats by sending hand-signed notes to candidates who got bested in close congressional races. For example, Nate Shinagawa, who narrowly lost his challenge to GOP Rep. Tom Reed in Western New York, received a missive from Ms. Clinton two days after his defeat. In her letter, Ms. Clinton offered some supportive words and encouragement for Mr. Shinagawa’s future political endeavors.

“You should be proud of your campaign and the dialogue you had with voters about the values we hold dear as Democrats,” Ms. Clinton wrote. “Thank you for accepting the challenge of seeking public office and for your commitment to creating a better future for the American people.”

Ms. Clinton’s letter to Mr. Shinagawa was not an isolated incident. Sources with at least two other losing Democratic congressional campaigns told Politicker their candidates received similar letters. Read More

By Colin Campbell 3/16/12 9:06am

goldman sachs blues

Carolina Herrera - Front Row - Fall 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Bloomberg: Ex-Goldman Employee Shouldn’t Dis Company

After a former Goldman Sachs employee published an extremely critical op-ed on his former company’s practices, Mayor Michael Bloomberg subsequently visited the company to show his support. And on John Gambling’s radio show this morning, Mr. Bloomberg continued to stick up for the company against “a nasty letter from an employee.”

“I thought this piling on is ridiculous,” he explained. ”You go to work for a company, it seems to me they have an obligation to never dis you, they can part company with you [but] they should never do that, nor should an employee walk away [like that.] … You walk away from friends, you walk away from an employer who took a risk in you. “ Read More