By Hunter Walker 7:09pm

Sports Page

Jose Canseco Portrait Session And Book Signing At Book Soup

Jose Canseco Is Ready to Work With Mayor Bloomberg to Fight Sugar

After traveling to Albany last month to support State Senator Jeff Klein’s push to ban the nutritional supplement DMAA, baseball great, reality television star, MMA fighter, admitted steroid user, author and social media enthusiast Jose Canseco’s latest cause seems to be the number of deaths linked to sugary drinks. After Mr. Canseco took to Twitter this evening to urge the president to “declare war on sugar,” Politicker asked whether he’d be interested in teaming up with a man who is perhaps the nation’s most high-profile anti-sugar crusader–Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Read More

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 Colin Campbell 1/18 4:45pm

Vallone Zone

(Photo: Getty)

City Councilman Stands Up for Manti Te’o

Notre Dame University’s star linebacker Manti Te’o, has been the subject of nonstop controversy since Deadspin revealed his story of personal tragedy–namely his girlfriend’s death–had been nothing more than a prominent hoax.

In the storm of news coverage discussing Mr. Te’o's non-girlfriend, many have argued the football player promulgated the lie, but outspoken Queens Councilman Peter Vallone has come to Mr. Te’os defense. Read More

By Colin Campbell 1/09 7:22pm

Whitewater

Governor Cuomo's vessel.

Governor Cuomo Sends New York’s Lawmakers Down the Rapids

Earlier today, Governor Andrew Cuomo gave his annual “State of the State” speech where he presented a broad plan to transform the state through various legislative measures and executive actions. Once such action that Mr. Cuomo seemed particularly pleased with was his plan for a new whitewater rafting challenge in the Upstate Adirondacks.

“I believe if they see Upstate New York, they will come back, but we need to make that happen,” Mr. Cuomo said of the region’s tourism capability. “For example, New York has some of the best whitewater rafting in the nation, I bet you maybe that you didn’t even know that. So this year, we’re going to sponsor a national rafting competition called, ‘The Adirondack Challenge.’”

While Mr. Cuomo didn’t elaborate on the event’s specifics, he did proceed to jokingly promise Albany’s legislative leaders will be getting in on the rafting action.

“We are going to have a special part of the Adirondack competition, which can be between government officials,” he continued. “And we’re going to start a politician division, actually. We’re going to have a set of rules that were very carefully drafted and reviewed by [the state's] counsel.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 11/26/12 5:18pm

Sports Page

Jumaane Williams (Photo: Facebook)

Jumaane Williams Describes How He ‘Grappled’ With Whether To Be a Knicks or Nets Fan

Brooklyn Councilman Jumaane Williams is one of the biggest Knicks fans in City government and, though he said he had a personal “struggle” over whether to back the newly-arrived Brooklyn Nets, he’s sticking with his team. Mr. Williams revealed his decision to Politicker when we asked him about Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz’s statement earlier today that Brooklynites who “support, cheer or root for the Manhattan Knicks” are “treasonous.”

“It’s something I’ve grappled with….It’s very, very tough, but I think I’m Brooklyn enough. Nobody can question my Brooklyn-ness, not even Marty Markowitz,” Mr. Williams said. “I’ve decided this fall to take my talents back to the Garden.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 11/01/12 12:51pm

Sports Page

Domenic Recchia Jr. (Photo: NYC Council)

Councilman Calls for Cancellation of NYC Marathon

In spite of the impact of Hurricane Sandy still being felt around the city, the New York City Marathon is still scheduled to proceed as planned on Sunday. However, you can now add Councilman Domenic Recchia to the growing list of critics who disagree with Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s contention the race won’t disrupt emergency workers from their vital post-storm duties. In a statement released a few minutes ago, Mr. Recchia, who represents Coney Island, Gravesend, Bensonhurst and Brighton Beach, which were all hit hard by the storm, called continuing with the marathon “just wrong.”

“To host the New York City Marathon in the middle of what is complete devastation and a crisis in parts of this City is just wrong. There are people in Coney Island, Sea Gate, and Brighton Beach who are without food, water, and electricity. This crisis is expected to continue through the weekend and into next week,” Mr. Recchia said. Read More

By Hunter Walker 10/17/12 2:56pm

Forecasts

George Pataki (Photo: Getty)

George Pataki Discusses the GOP’s Prospects in the 2013 Mayoral Election

Former Republican New York Governor George Pataki was one of the surrogates backing Mitt Romney on “spin alley” after last night’s presidential debate at Hofstra. Politicker used the opportunity to ask Mr. Pataki which GOP candidates he thought might emerge to challenger the crowded field of Democrats who are likely to run for mayor in next year’s election. So far two political newcomers, Manhattan Media CEO Tom Allon and Doe Fund boss George McDonald, are the only ones who have declared their intentions to run on the Republican line, but Mr. Pataki indicated there may be other Republicans mulling a mayoral bid.

“There are a number of people who are talking about running,” said Mr. Pataki. “I’m hopeful that we’ll have a strong candidate.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 10/16/12 8:24pm

Sports Page

John Kerry (Photo: Getty)

John Kerry on the Red Sox and Mitt Romney

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who served as a stand-in for Mitt Romney during President Barack Obama’s debate prep sessions, stopped by the media filing room to talk with reporters ahead of tonight’s clash between the two candidates. Mr. Kerry wouldn’t discuss his strategies for impersonating Mr. Romney, but he gave his thoughts on the former Massachusetts governor’s record in the Bay State and another important New England issue–the Boston Red Sox’s horrendous 2012 season.  Read More

By Hunter Walker 10/01/12 12:39pm

Sports Page

Dale Stephanos

Jets Owner Is More Worried About Mitt Romney Than His Football Team

The New York Jets suffered an embarrassing 34-0 defeat at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers Sunday that has many observers wondering if the team is doomed this season, however Jets owner Woody Johnson is apparently more concerned about Mitt Romney defeating President Barack Obama than he is about his team’s prospects. Mr. Johnson, who is the chairman of Mr. Romney’s campaign in New York, discussed his priorities this morning in an appearance on Bloomberg TV’s Market Makers.

“I think you always have to put country first so I think it’s very, very important that for–not only for us but for in particular our kids and grandkids that this election come off with Mitt Romney and Ryan as president and vice president,” Mr. Johnson said when the show’s hosts asked him whether he’d prefer a winning season for the Jets or a victory for the Republican ticket. Read More

By Hunter Walker 7/26/12 9:10am

Sports Page

Jerry Sandusky at a preliminary hearing in his trial for child sexual abuse. (Photo: Getty)

Major Figure in PA GOP Worked With Penn State Sex Offender’s Charity

An interesting article that appeared in yesterday’s print New York Post, but somehow hasn’t made its way online, details a major GOP donor’s ties to the Penn State sex scandal. The story, written by Carl Campanile, noted Lance Shaner, who gave the maximum donation of $2,500 to the Romney campaign and $100,000 to Mr. Romney’s super PAC Restore Our Future, served on the board of convicted child molester and retired Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky’s charity, Second Mile. Mr. Shaner also donated $155,550 to Republican Pennsylvania Tom Corbett’s gubernatorial campaign and the Pennsylvania Republican Party headquarters was named after him.  Read More