By Hunter Walker 1/22 1:02pm

Ballin'

US-POLITICS-INAUGURATION-BALLS

Inside the Inaugural Ball: Obama’s Second Term Gets Off to Cheez-y Start

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For most Americans, the phrase Inaugural Ball conjures up images of the commander in chief and first lady clad in full evening dress taking a waltz on the dance floor. If you’d like to maintain that illusion of grandeur when 2016 rolls around, Politicker humbly suggests you stay home and watch the festivities on television, because the reality is far less glamorous. Last night’s main Inaugural Ball was like a low rent prom complete with a gym-like venue, chips standing in for hors d’oeuvres and 80′s music. Amid all these cut-rate accoutrements and incongruously overdressed guests, we also spotted a basketball legend, a dancing congresswoman and, of course, the president. Read More

By Hunter Walker 1/21 6:32pm

Party Fowl

Chuck Schumer speaking at the Inauguration. (Photo: Getty)

Angry Chef Attacks Chuck Schumer for Ditching Long Island Duck

WASHINGTON D.C. — Long Island chef Butch Yamali is telling Senator Chuck Schumer to go duck himself after the Inauguration.

Senator Schumer was able to put his own New York-centric spin on today’s festivities in his capacity as chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies. However, Mr. Yamali doesn’t feel Mr. Schumer went far enough to honor his home state and is holding a press conference tomorrow to “formally rebuke” the senator for not having Long Island duck at the inaugural meal at the Capitol Building.   Read More

By Hunter Walker 9/27/12 11:42am

Political Party(ing)

d4d

‘Hipster PAC’ Brings High Fashion ‘Swag’ to the Presidential Debates

Downtown 4 Democracy, the anti-Tea Party “hipster PAC” is teaming up with Vice magazine to host a watch party for the first presidential debate on October 3 with well-appointed “swag bags” chock full of politically-themed goodies from several big name designers and chefs. The event, which will be held at the Jane Hotel, will also include a DJ set by the “experimental pop duo” Tanlines. Read More

By Hunter Walker 3/21/12 12:34pm

Photo Finishes

storobinpic

Storobin Celebrates A Race That’s Too Close To Call

The race between veteran Councilman Lew Fidler and Republican upstart David Storobin was a vicious campaign that included charges of pedophilia, Nazism and election day allegations “a Storobin thug” ran over a Fidler volunteer with a van. A police spokesperson subsequently told The New York Times the claim about the van proved to be untrue. In the end, Mr. Storobin was up by 120 votes in the final pre-paper ballot tally, but both candidates declared victory and the campaign is headed to a close count and court fight. However, as Mr. Storobin pointed out in a speech at his election night party, no one expected him to come close.

“We counted 100 percent of the votes but there are still some votes, some paper votes that are left, but based on all the info that we have, I’m proud to say that we, all of us, won this race. There may be recounts and we may have to wait for official results for a few days, or maybe even a couple of weeks, but like I said, the good won, we won,” Mr. Storobin said. “Tonight, we’ll go to bed as winners when nobody outside believed that we had a shot to even compete, when every story about this campaign began with Lew Fidler, the heavy favorite.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 3/16/12 10:45am

ScarJo For Stringer

Scarlett invitation

Scarlett Johansson To Host Third Fundraiser For Scott Stringer

Actress Scarlett Johansson is holding her third fundraiser for Manhattan borough president and likely mayoral candidate Scott Stringer. The event, which will be held on the roof of the Maritime Hotel in Chelsea, includes a two hour party preceded by an hour-and-a-half long “private reception.” Tickets for the party start at $50, access to the reception is reserved for chairs who pony up $2,500. Read More