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Congress

By David Freedlander 5/03/12 12:24pm

Congress

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Dems Have Fun With Facebook, Mock Ref Grimm

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has apparently been scouring Facebook, and sent out today a photo of Staten Island Congressman Michael Grimm gleaned from the page of Staten Island GOP Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis.

In the photo, Congressman Grimm is seen wearing the familiar zebra stripes of a referee and he seems to be officiating over something called “Third Avenue Festival Table Tennis Grand Slam.”

“Gasp! Somebody Actually Let Congressman Grimm Referee?” the DCCC says in the email header.  Read More

By David Freedlander 5/01/12 3:05pm

Congress

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Espaillat Rolls Out Student Debt Plan

Adriano Espaillat signed on today to Barack Obama’s political push, calling for  a series of measure that would lessen student loan debt.

“With millions of Americans under water with crushing student loan debt, our future is at risk and we must act now,” said State Senator Adriano Espaillat. “I applaud President Obama’s leadership in trying to prevent interest rates on student loans from doubling this summer and for taking measures to help those struggling with college debt. However, we simply must do more. We need a bold, new plan to address the crushing student loan debt that is holding back growth, stifling careers of young Americans, and preventing communities across the country from moving forward.” Read More

By David Freedlander 4/18/12 8:45am

Congress

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Elizabeth Warren Takes Manhattan: ‘It-Candidate’ Of 2012 Soaks Up Love And Dollars From Local Dems

For the city’s Democratic donor class, it can be a dreary procession. Night after night, candidates for high office from around the country make their way to Manhattan to rattle the tip cup. The same hors d’oeuvres, the same bromides, the same canned answers to the same audience of well-heeled party types who can cough up the couple-grand entrance fee.

But this year, local Democrats say, a new figure has emerged on the scene, someone who has sparked interest and enthusiasm in the city not seen since Barack Obama’s presidential run, or perhaps even Hillary Clinton’s first Senate run, a slight woman from the Oklahoma Plains, by way of Harvard Yard, named Elizabeth Warren. Read More

By David Freedlander 4/16/12 2:48pm

Congress

BANKS MERGER HEARING

MoveOn Spikes Football Over Towns Retirement

MoveOn.org will not be throwing a retirement party for Ed Towns. Instead, the message of the lefty cyber community is simple:  ”Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

“MoveOn members are excited to hear that after too many years opposing the interests of the 99%, Rep. Ed Towns has finally decided to retire,” says the group in his official statement. “From his vote for CAFTA to his opposition to a free and open Internet, Rep. Towns had long ago stopped fighting for working families so he can support corporate special interests instead.” Read More

By David Freedlander 4/16/12 12:06pm

Congress

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In Wake of Ed Towns’ Retirement, Charles Barron Stays Focused On Himself

Charles Barron, who tried to forcibly retire Ed Towns in 2006 when he challenged him for Congress, didn’t much want to pay tribute to the longtime rep today.

“I have nothing to say about Mr. Towns. I have always felt I would be the better person for that position and I have continually opposed Mr. Towns,” Mr. Barron said in an interview.

Mr. Barron went on to talk about his work in the district, saying that he had built more affordable housing, parks and schools than either Mr. Towns or his now only primary opponent, Hakeem Jeffries.  Read More

By David Freedlander 4/16/12 9:41am

Congress

Dr. Richard Becker (Photo: Facebook)

Becker Slams Maloney For Out-Of District Donations

The Democratic primary for the seat currently held by Republican Nan Hayworth is heating up, with the campaign of Rich Becker sending out a scorching email this morning blasting rival Sean Patrick Maloney for garnering only one donation in the redrawn district he hopes to represent.

“They say ‘one is the loneliest number,’ and Sean Patrick Maloney’s first quarter filing pretty much proves that. For a candidate to receive a single solitary donation, just 3/4 of one percent of his total money raised, from the district he’s hoping to represent is a clear indication of transparent carpetbagging,” the campaign said in a statement. “We’re not surprised though; during his entire two-year run against Andrew Cuomo for Attorney General, Sean only managed to raise 2/3 of one percent of his total money from residents of the new 18th district. By comparison, 77.7% of our donations came from within the district.” Read More

By David Freedlander 4/10/12 10:17pm

Congress

"Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark" On Broadway Safety Issues Press Conference

Hear Me Rory: Can Lancman Vanquish Ossified Queens Machine And Get To DC?

Rory Lancman insists he isn’t desperate to get out of Albany.

“It is not a miserable place,” he said last week over an afternoon glass of sauvignon blanc at the bar in the Fitzpatrick Hotel on Lexington Avenue. By New York State Legislature standards, where careers are measured in geologic time, Mr. Lancman is barely amphibious, having won his seat in the State Assembly only in 2006.

“But it is a place where at some point one’s desire for greater responsibility is stymied by a rigid seniority system and a culture that doesn’t really support that kind of institutional ambition.”

“I don’t want out,” he added. “I want up.” Read More

By David Freedlander 3/30/12 12:07pm

Congress

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Alexander Boasts Of Backing in Becker’s Backyard

Wappingers Falls Mayor Matt Alexander announced today that they received the endorsement of two local Democratic committees in Westchester County, which happens to be the home county of Mr. Alexander’s closest competitor for the Democratic nomination for a Congressional seat in the Hudson Valley.

“I am humbled to have the solid backing of yet another Democratic Committee in Westchester and look forward to working with them to make Nan Hayworth a one term Congresswoman,” said Mr. Alexander.  “Let’s keep the momentum going.” Read More

By David Freedlander 3/23/12 4:34pm

Congress

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Rangel Gets First Dem Club Endorsement

Charlie Rangel’s congressional campaign sent around a release this afternoon stating that the longtime Congressman had received his first endorsement of the primary season:  the Arturo Schomburg Democratic Club.

A old-school political club endorsing an incumbent is not ordinarily news, but there are a few items to note here.

Firstly, the club is in East Harlem, and that is has been confirmed that Mr. Rangel’s district is a plurality Latino, he will need to shore up support among community, especially if he faces a Latino challenger like Adriano Espaillat. Read More

By David Freedlander 3/21/12 5:51pm

Congress

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Queens Dems Back Towns; WFP Likely To Go With Jeffries Tonight

The Queens County Democratic Party announced today that were supporting Brooklyn Congressman Ed Towns in his re-election bid.

We were confused too, until a brief look at Mr. Towns’ new district map revealed that his Central Brooklyn district now stretches to parts of Ozone Park and Howard Beach in Queens.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to support the re-election of Congressman Ed Towns now that he will be representing a portion of the Borough of Queens,” said Queens County Democratic leader Joe Crowley in a statement.  “It is important that we keep him in Congress where his leadership and seniority are critical to the Democratic Party’s success in fighting back against the radical Republican agenda.” Read More