A reader passes along the following invitation from the state G.O.P inviting supporters to a high-dollar fundraiser featuring the former Massachusetts governor. And even though Romney's most recent fundraising numbers were not as good as his supporters would have hoped, this invite makes clear that "Governor Mitt Romney is appearing at this event only as a special guest. Governor Mitt Romney is not asking for funds or donations."

According to one party official, "He's trying to solidify his relationship with the State Party. A good portion of his fundraising has come out of New York.  The other candidates haven't really caught on here."

As Maggie Haberman noted a couple of months ago, state chairman Ed Cox has attended a few Romney fundraisers, including at least one out of state.

The soiree will be at the home of banking heir Matthew Mellon, who was recently named state finance chairman.

Details below:
Romney July 19 Invite

Romney July 19 Invite

Romney had made a concerted push during the second quarter, in the hopes of establishing himself as the obvious front-runner. The former Massachusetts governor told donors in March that the goal was $50 million, though there seems to be some dispute over whether that was a quarterly goal, or a cumulative one for the primary. 

Regardless, Romney seems to have put some distance between himself and Tim Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor whose campaign is still struggling to get traction. Pawlenty reported raising $4.2 million this cycle, but it's unclear how much of that is for general election campaign.

Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman reported raising $4.1 million this quarter, but aides would not disclose how much he personally invested. Like Romney, Huntsman could personally fund much of a campaign, though he has said he will not do that.

Romney more than doubled those numbers in a single day in May, when his big Las Vegas phone bank raised $10.25 million. His campaign said all of the money raised this quarter is for the primary election, and that it has $12.6 million on hand, for a burn rate of 31 percent.

Whether that's enough to make Romney the prohibitive favorite remains to be seen. Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, who narrowly outraised Romney in the first quarter, has yet to report her second quarter numbers.

But he did say that he was planning to announce his plans tonight on Inside City Hall on NY1 and that he would meet with the G.O.P. screening committee that would decide the Republican nominee either tonight or tomorrow--a clear indication that he is inching closer to a run.

"Very few people get to go to the House of Representatives," he said. "There are 435 Congress men and women in the country and how many people are in America? What does the census say-- 400 million people? Very few people can say that they are have been to the House of Representatives...Congress is the big game."

Ulrich has met with State Republican Party chairman Ed Cox and former mayor Rudy Giuliani about a potential run, but he has yet to meet with the screening panel made up of party officials in Queens and Brooklyn who  will decide who will get the nomination.

Ulrich declined to say if anything could be deduced about his intentions considering that he was planning to meet with that screening committee after he announced whether or not he would run.

"Plans change, meetings get cancelled, I don't have to go before the screening committee just because I am scheduled to show up," he said.

A spokesman for the Queens Republican Party, Robert Hornak, expressed surprise that Ulrich planned to announce his intentions before meeting with the screening committee.

"That is interesting," he said. "If he is interested he should be coming before the screening committee."

Queens G.O.P. sources say that it has long been Ulrich's intention to run for Congress, but that no one imagined that a seat would open up so soon. The race represents something of a no-lose situation for Ulrich-- even if he loses, which seems likely in a heavily Democratic district, he will boost his name-recognition by running in one of the most high-profile races of the year.

Ulrich said that he had spoken with Republican legislators about redistricting and he said that they were not optimistic that the seat would be spared.

But he threw down a gauntlet to his Democratic counterparts who have been considering nominating a placeholder who can keep the seat for the next 18 months until the new lines get drawn.

"The people of the district don't deserve a placeholder," he said. "They deserve a Congressman."

Fred Newman

A controversial leader within the New York City Independence Party -- whose ballot line provided the margin of victory to Mayor Bloomberg's last two re-election campaigns -- passed away today Sunday, his aides confirmed.

He was 76.

Newman's brand of psychotherapy was critically examined by a number of outlets including NY1, who, in 2007, suggested he approved of therapists having sex with their patients. His critics referred to him as a "cult leader."

His supporters, obviously, saw him differently.

"All who knew him will remember him as a fierce champion for giving the best, most sophisticated, most far-reaching tools of postmodern philosophy to ordinary people," wrote Independence Party member Nancy Hanks supporters wrote in a paid obit that appeared in the New York Times today.

Newman yielded an unprecedented amount of influence of the Independence Party in New York City, which was controlled by his allies, Dr. Lenora Fulani, strategist Jackie Salit, Cathy Stewart, Harry Kresky and others. The City apparatus was a crucial vehicle to electing Michael Bloomberg to three terms at City Hall in this overwhelmingly Democratic town.

The state party chairman, Frank MacKay, was constantly at war with Newman's faction, and at one point, kicked Fulani off their executive board. Today, MacKay said Newman would be missed.

"I've disagreed adamantly with Fred on the handling of issues…and have not spoken to him in the last six years," said MacKay. " But I would be remiss not to acknowledge the body of work that Dr. Newman has amassed in the field of independent politics. When the ultimate book is written on independence politics, there would have to be a whole section devoted to Fred Newman."

Among the organizations Newman had ties to was The All Stars Project, which counseled at risk youth.

In recent years, Newman's health was visibly worsening. He appeared at the Independence Party's national gathering in a wheel chair, discussing, at length, his views about modern politics and the power of third party politics.

He also maintained a regular email blast about his ruminations and reactions to the Sunday political talk shows that I found quite addictive.

"He is an elected official, which I think would go a long way," said Bob Turner, a retired businessman, in a telephone interview just now. Ulrich, said Turner, "has a strong base of support and represents almost 40 percent of the district, as a Councilman."

Turner said he talks with Ulrich "all the time" and considers him a "rising star" in the party. If, for some reason, Ulrich decides not to run, Turner said he would again run for the seat "if the party asked me."

"DAMN!"

Fisher-Cohen told The Politicker that the genesis of the movie began slightly before McMillan's legendary performance at the 2010 gubernatorial debate, but it was only afterwards that his filmmaking team knew that they had their gloved hands on a good story.

"It's about what happens to someone who sees success overnight in the viral age, especially when the media latches on so quickly," he said, adding that the film is about the nexus of celebrity, media, the Internet and politics.

The movie, however, does not explore the question of how much McMillan himself pays for his own apartment, since he would not allow the filmmakers into his home.

A trailer, released today, is below:

Adds Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio:

Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature have deconstructed the single most important institution in human history. Republicans and Democrats alike succumbed to powerful political elites and have passed legislation that will undermine our families and as a consequence, our society.

With this vote, Governor Cuomo has opened a new front in the culture wars that are tearing at the fabric of our nation. At a time when so many New Yorkers are struggling to stay in their homes and find jobs, we should be working together to solve these problems. However, the politicians have curried favor with wealthy donors who are proponents of a divisive agenda in order to advance their own careers and futures.

What is needed in our state is leadership and not political gamesmanship.

Cuomo is a practicing Catholic, but this is not the first time that he has run afoul of the Church's teachings. Earlier this year, a consultant to the Vatican said that Cuomo should refrain from taking communion because his unmarried co-habitation with Food Network star Sandra Lee means he is "publicly acting in violation of a fundamental moral expectation of the Church."

Bishop DiMarzio, whose diocese covers Queens as well, also calls on local pastors and Catholic school principals to "not invite any state legislator to speak or be present at any parish or school celebration."

"The above request is intended as a protest of the corrupt political process in New York State," he said. "More than half of all New Yorkers oppose this legislation. Yet, the governor and the state legislature have demonized people of faith, whether they be Muslims, Jews, or Christians, and identified them as bigots and prejudiced, and voted in favor of same-sex 'marriage.' It is mystifying that this bill would be passed on the last day of an extended session under the cover of darkness...Republicans and Democrats equally share responsibility for this ruinous legislation and we as Catholics should hold all accountable for their actions."

The company announced his hiring in a press release this morning.

Throggs Neck, NY - July 5, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) — Mario Costanz and Walter Sarmiento, Broker/Owners of RE/MAX Results in the Bronx, have announced that Joel Rivera has joined their team of licensed real estateprofessionals. A newly licensed sales associate, Mr. Rivera will draw upon his more than 10 years of experience in public service and business acumen to provide comprehensive real estate services to communities throughout the Bronx. RE/MAX Results, located at 3717 East Tremont Avenue in Throggs Neck, provides comprehensive real estateservices to property buyers and sellers throughout the Bronx, Yonkers, Lower Westchester and New York City.

A Bronx native and graduate of the New York Military Academy, Joel Rivera has always expressed his commitment to service and entrepreneurial vision. With experience in public service helping to build and provide vital services to communities, Joel has a unique understanding of the local housing market and the issues facing those in the Bronx. A public servant and former business owner, customer service has been the cornerstone of Joel’s professional career and is the foundation upon which he will build his new real estate career.

“Joel is intelligent, has tremendous people skills and is dedicated to helping individuals. His great discipline, work ethic and commitment to constantly learn and improve are values we share at RE/MAX, and that is why RE/MAX Results and Joel are such a great match,” said Walter Sarmiento, Co-Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Results.

“I’ve known Joel professionally throughout the years as we were both aspiring local Bronx entrepreneurs. He has the energy and enthusiasm to build a strong real estate business in our area and we are proud to have him on our team. RE/MAX agents are known for their high caliber, professionalism and dedication to service, and with Joel we continue that tradition,” said Mario Costanz, Co-Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Results.

“I have been committed to public service my entire life so working in a service industry like real estate is a natural extension for me. I enjoy helping to build communities and working with Bronx families to help them make the best decisions and achieve the American Dream. Real estate is the best investment a person can make and I want to offer the top notch service. People deserve to have the anxiety removed from the buying and selling process and for it to be as seamless as possible,” said Joel Rivera, RE/MAX Results Sales Associate.

For more information about RE/MAX Results visit www.bronxresults.com.

According to the report, the New York City Pension Funds recorded investment returns of more than 20 percent in Fiscal Year 2011, the first time in 13 years that they have achieved this mark. FY 2011 was the first full year that Liu was the steward of the city's pension fund, and the report notes that the gains were six percent better than the previous year's, due to stock and bond market recoveries "as well as new actions taken by the Comptroller's office."

The previous steward of the city's pension fund, of course, was former city comptroller Bill Thompson, who, like Liu, is considered a candidate for mayor for 2013. If both throw their hat into the ring, a key component of Liu's campaign will be that he boasts a better record than Thompson--witness Liu's relentless pounding of the CityTime scandal, which occurred on Thompson's watch.

Says Liu in a statement, "While the markets remain volatile, we have vigorously pursued a diversification strategy to enhance our returns while lowering pension costs to the City. This will protect pensioners and taxpayers alike in the long run. It has been gratifying to work closely with our dedicated Trustees to achieve these results.”

According to the letter, the accuser lied extensively in her application for asylum, claiming her husband had been mistreated by the Guinean regime, and that she had been gang-raped. The letter says the accuser--who reportedly cannot read or write--studied audio tapes in order to memorize a consistent story for her asylum interviews, and tearfully recounted the story of her gang rape to D.A. investigators before admitting the story was false. But she told investigators that she could truthfully testify as to another rape that she had suffered in Guinea.

The letter also claims that the accuser changed her account of the events immediately following her alleged assault by Strauss-Kahn. She initially claimed that she fled to a main hallway and waited for him to leave before contacting a supervisor; the letter says she subsequently admitted that she had returned to clean the room, and another suite, before notifying a supervisor.

She also admitted to falsely claiming a friend's child as a dependent on her taxes. The letter says she was also untruthful "about a variety of additional topics concerning her history, background, present circumstances and personal relationships."

In a press conference earlier today, Vance said the office would continue to protect the woman's privacy and pursue the charges.

The letter:
dsk_da_office_letter