Headline of the Day: “Joe Lhota, Everyman, Wears Costco Clothes.”

Former Gov. Eliot Spitzer took another swipe at current Gov. Andrew Cuomo last night. “It has been a uniquely unsuccessful legislative session. I think Andrew is acknowledging that,” he said on Road to City Hall. “He’s being caught in the bind of having essentially acquiesced to a reasonably conservative republican majority in the Senate … Now the progressive agenda he says he wants is never going to get through that Senate.” Read More

Headline of the Day: “Christine Quinn acknowledges she has opponents, in a speech attacking them.”

Brooklyn Council candidate Igor Oberman has another labor endorsement to add onto his growing pile: the Hotel Trades Council, a relatively small union touted for its effective organizing abilities. In announcing his support for Mr. Oberman today, HTC’s political director Josh Gold said, “Igor has shown that he has a plan to grow the economy in his community, ensuring that our members thrive in his district and throughout New York. That’s why we are excited to not only endorse Igor, but work hard on his campaign this summer.” Read More

Headline of the Day: “Photo: Chuck Schumer Drinks Beer With ‘Williamsburg Hipsters.’”

Alternate: “Quinn Borrows a Line From Weiner, Who Probably Stole It From Someone Else.”

Ola Alabi scored CWA 1180′s endorsement in her bid to replace outgoing Councilwoman Tish James. “Their commitment to social and economic justice, expanding opportunities for all, reforming the civil service system and the tax structure are truly progressive ideals,” Ms. Alabi told Politicker in a statement. “I look forward to working with them to ensure progress for all!” Read More

Headline of the Day: “Bloomberg’s new resiliency plan nods (on page 406!) to a congestion pricing scheme.”

The context of Anthony Weiner‘s “coined” Obamacare claim does seem to clarify what he meant: “…a term, by the way, that I coined and used proudly, long before the administration decided it was a good idea. And I got yelled at by the White House for using it, and then they eventually reached the place where they used it.” That didn’t stop the tabloids from piling on, of course. It’s also not clear that he was the first Democrat to embrace the term. Read More

Headline of the Day: “An Incomplete History of Peter King Calling for the Prosecution of Journalists.”

The New York Times did a fairly definitive take-down of former Rep. Anthony Weiner‘s legislative record, or lack thereof: “In 12 ½ years in Congress, he sponsored and wrote only one bill that he steered to enactment: a measure pushed by a family friend who gave his campaigns tens of thousands of dollars in donations.” Read More

Headline of the Day: “Anthony Weiner Apologizes for Sexting Story That Isn’t Even Out Yet.”

Alternate: “The Mystery and the Agony of the New York Times’ Juicy Anthony Weiner Story.”

Political consultant Evan Thies made a case for Anthony Weiner‘s strength among black voters. “In short, black voters had more practical concerns than the President’s philandering,” he argued. “On average, white voters live in lower-crime areas, have more money and enjoy a higher quality of life than black voters. To put it bluntly: Perhaps white voters (like me) can afford to judge their candidates on character, while black voters can’t.” Read More

Headline of the Day: “So, Could Anthony Weiner Actually Be the Next Mayor of New York?”

Runner-Up: “Candidate Anthony Weiner’s Awkward Moments.”

Rev. Al Sharpton was asked about the timeline for his mayoral endorsement last night on NY1. “Once I think that we’re clear on what the issues are and who is closer to those issues. I know everybody in the race–I’ve known them a long time–so this won’t be based on friendship,” he replied. “Nobody in the race ever endorsed me for office so I don’t owe anyone an endorsement … This is not about a kingmaker, this is about a kingdom.” Read More

Headline of the Day: “Can a bearded politician win NYC’s mayoral race?”

New York analyzed former Comptroller Bill Thompson‘s candidacy: “His willingness to admit nuance on complicated subjects is in many ways admirable—and running as the moderate, black, well-­adjusted adult when your two main obstacles, Quinn and Weiner, are high-strung Caucasians is not a bad position to be in.” Read More

Headline of the Day: “Sidenote: Salgado & El Queso!”

New York Times columnist Michael Powell looked at the state of mayoral debates and dubbed them “pander fests.” He noted a recent mayoral forum where Anthony Weiner “ended by saying that he could not ‘promise you that milk and honey will flow through the streets of Flatbush.’ Given the spirit of this evening, that registered as a disappointment.” Read More

Headline of the Day: “Sheldon Silver Had Inappropriate Relationship With Aide, If You Believe Vito Lopez.”

This communication, removed from the Legislature-friendly JCOPE report on Vito Lopez‘s sexual harassment scandal, looks really bad for Speaker Shelly Silver: “Indeed, Mr. Lopez often repeatedly explained to [redacted] that he wanted their relationship to Read More