King Liu I
Campaigned as a man of the people
All rise for Liu, the prima donna! 'Mr. Comptroller' demands royal treatment. New York City's new comptroller, John Liu, has ordered his staff to rise whenever he enters the room and to address him as "Mr. Comptroller." Veteran denizens of the Municipal Building snickering behind his back (NYP) *** ‘That’s Mister Comptroller to You, Underling’ (NY Magazine) *** The freakshow has begun
Espada's Door to the Governor Mansion If I was Espada I would not be sleeping to well nowadays. The public is looking for leaders who will put pols in Albany in jail and the AG and his people know that. What is interesting is the top lawmaker is looking and Espada officials position to steer cash toward the Soundview Health Center, the Bronx clinic that functions as the Espada family piggy bank. Using the criteria of pols using their official position to make money for themselves or family can knock out two thirds of Albany and the entire slush fund city council.
Pols in Albany know the law they make them, which means they know how to get around them. That why it takes creative investigators like the FBI and Cuomo's expansion of his investigation to look a Espada is using his official position. Congress passed the RICO law that allowed creative prosecution of the Mob that Goodfellows began being put out of business. Nobody in congress or Albany will pass any laws to help investigate their positions. Cuomo is on his own with this investigation that the NYT thinks will determine the next governor of the state. The AG office has subpoenaed a wide range of state Senate e-mails regarding Majority Leader Pedro Espada and his medical clinic Andrew's opportunity * GOPers to Lazio: Aim for Kirsten, not Cuomo
Incumbents Reject Term Limits As a Threat to Their Hegemony, But Public May Raise the Issue As Regard for Officials Wanes
Term limits have less chance in the Legislature than the proverbial snowball in hell. What politician with the chance to be re-elected for the rest of his life will vote to make himself ineligible to serve after twelve years? The governor knows that, but he is positioning himself squarely on the side of the angels in what is likely to be a recurring controversy. But even if passing term limits is a legislative pipe dream, it is still a discussion that voters should engage in seriously, even if their representatives won't. The new possibilities of grassroots organizing through social networking websites has given the public an unprecedented tool to insist that their legislators be more responsive to their wishes. A Facebook page titled CITIZENS FOR TERM LIMITS IN ALBANY has been created to stimulate public discussion on the reform of state government. Hopefully, if more people became involved with this issue, more progress might be made (Henry Stern NY Civic)
Campaign for Senate Majority Leader 2011 Two of today's major stories will have a big effect on who will lead the house in the new congress in 2011. The first has to do with Majority leader Harry Reid be reelected. He is currently down more in the Nevada polls anyone has been able to come back from. His approval rating has drop to 33%. NEVADA US SENATE POLL: Reid hits new low in poll Las Vegas Review. The racial comments made by Reid in the Campaign Book out today many believe is the final nail in his coffin. If Reid loses many believe that his replacement will be either Senator Schumer or Durbin. The second major story is Ford talking about taking on Gillibrand. If Gillibrand loses it would no doubt has a huge impact in the race for Majority Leader to replace Reid.
Can Everyone Be Reached? Lot of behind the scenes pressure is this race. Candidates are dropping like flys Molinari Out * King decides against running for Senate If one GOP candidate leaves you would think the other would have clear sailing. Not in New York. They both drop out in the same day must have been an offer they could not refuse * White House looks to drive Ford out of New York Senate race *** Paterson Joins the Poltical Chorus Urging Ford Not to Challenge Gillibrand
More on the Campaign Book Sunday Word: The Campaign BookHil doesn't believe flippin' word about Chuck betrayal * Bill Clinton help sink Hillary's chances of a Kennedy endorsement by belitting Obama* Republicans call for Harry Reid to quit Senate over Obama comments * GOP: Dems have double standard by giving Reid a pass * Democrats are rallying around Reid. (Politico) * Book 'Game Change' portrays Sarah Palin as unstable ignoramus who believed Saddam was behind 9/11 * *Game Change' portrays Palin as unstable ignoramus * Book: GOP was in Palin panic Not in the book 'I'm blacker than Obama' *** WATCH: 'Game Change' Authors Defend Their Account Of The 2008 Election
More on the Ford Gillibrand Race? Now Ford comes out for gay nups * Gillibrand Takes On Possible Ford Threat * Benjamin: Harold Ford sends out feelers to black leaders * As Senator’s War Chest Grows, So Does Primary Threat * Senator Kirsten Gillibrand asked people to look at her record after she was criticized by ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer. (DN/WAMC) Today's NYP continued to punch at Schumer with an issue that will help Ford, like they did yesterday A challenge for Chuck's crew Big Apple taxpayers could be on the hook for as much as $1 billion in secu rity costs if the trials of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four other terrorists drag on for as long as experts think they will (NYP Ed) Yesterday's NYP punch at Schumer More Mud Fight Than Senate Race *** Gillibrand Joins Bloomberg in Fight Against Salt * Paterson To Ford: Go Run Somewhere Else
Voting No Confidence How can the NYP offer a Vote of confidence for ballot scanners when a lobbyist for the company that built the machine was once embroiled in a flap over ballot fixing Vote-machine lobbyist was in 'rig' trouble and the justice department is about to sue them for being a monopoly? Obama voting block Diebold suit nears
Train Wreck Spin While the MTA flacks get the papers to print the fluff to make the bigwigs look good M.T.A. to Unveil a Makeover of Its Web Home Only True News keeps reminding its readers that there are no funding to keep the fare or preform maintenance to keep the system from falling apart like it did in the 70s' The MTA Subway Melt Down (True News)
The New York Post has a political blog, which quietly launched today
STIMULUS WATCH: Unemployment unchanged by projects AP
Can Everyone Be Reached? Lot of behind the scenes pressure is this race. Candidates are dropping like flys Molinari Out * King decides against running for Senate If one GOP candidate leaves you would think the other would have clear sailing. Not in New York. They both drop out in the same day must have been an offer they could not refuse * White House looks to drive Ford out of New York Senate race *** Paterson Joins the Poltical Chorus Urging Ford Not to Challenge Gillibrand
More on the Campaign Book Sunday Word: The Campaign BookHil doesn't believe flippin' word about Chuck betrayal * Bill Clinton help sink Hillary's chances of a Kennedy endorsement by belitting Obama* Republicans call for Harry Reid to quit Senate over Obama comments * GOP: Dems have double standard by giving Reid a pass * Democrats are rallying around Reid. (Politico) * Book 'Game Change' portrays Sarah Palin as unstable ignoramus who believed Saddam was behind 9/11 * *Game Change' portrays Palin as unstable ignoramus * Book: GOP was in Palin panic Not in the book 'I'm blacker than Obama' *** WATCH: 'Game Change' Authors Defend Their Account Of The 2008 Election
More on the Ford Gillibrand Race? Now Ford comes out for gay nups * Gillibrand Takes On Possible Ford Threat * Benjamin: Harold Ford sends out feelers to black leaders * As Senator’s War Chest Grows, So Does Primary Threat * Senator Kirsten Gillibrand asked people to look at her record after she was criticized by ex-Gov. Eliot Spitzer. (DN/WAMC) Today's NYP continued to punch at Schumer with an issue that will help Ford, like they did yesterday A challenge for Chuck's crew Big Apple taxpayers could be on the hook for as much as $1 billion in secu rity costs if the trials of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four other terrorists drag on for as long as experts think they will (NYP Ed) Yesterday's NYP punch at Schumer More Mud Fight Than Senate Race *** Gillibrand Joins Bloomberg in Fight Against Salt * Paterson To Ford: Go Run Somewhere Else
Voting No Confidence How can the NYP offer a Vote of confidence for ballot scanners when a lobbyist for the company that built the machine was once embroiled in a flap over ballot fixing Vote-machine lobbyist was in 'rig' trouble and the justice department is about to sue them for being a monopoly? Obama voting block Diebold suit nears
Train Wreck Spin While the MTA flacks get the papers to print the fluff to make the bigwigs look good M.T.A. to Unveil a Makeover of Its Web Home Only True News keeps reminding its readers that there are no funding to keep the fare or preform maintenance to keep the system from falling apart like it did in the 70s' The MTA Subway Melt Down (True News)
The New York Post has a political blog, which quietly launched today
STIMULUS WATCH: Unemployment unchanged by projects AP
Election 2010 * Breaking News * King decides against running for Senate *** King Says 'No' To Gillibrand Challenge - Again *** 0s' *** The Bing-Gillibrand-Ford Connection *** Albany veteran George Onorato bows out, young foe Michael Gianaris steps in *** Former Senator Alphonse D’Amato is urging Rick Lazio to abort his gubernatorial campaign and run again Kirsten Gillibrand for U.S. Senate, Fred Dicker writes. (NYP) *** Assemblyman Richard Brodsky released his fund-raising numbers early, hinting at another run for attorney general despite the “dynamic situation” between Andrew Cuomo and David Paterson. (Capitol) *** Cuomo is still being coy about his political plans. (GNS) *** This Ford is Driven (TU) *** Gerald Benjamin and Mario Cuomo share their wish list for a Constitutional Convention. (TU) *** Harold Ford's Puzzling Run - Matthew Yglesias, Think Progress *** Lazio Aide: 'Cuomo Nervous' *** Cuomo Looks at Merrill Lynch Bonuses
Inside City Hall Vote of confidence for ballot scanners **New York Seeks National Effort to Curb Salt in Food* Food-nanny Mike to NY: Halt the salt * City shakes up industry with plan for salt reduction in food *** Council's new majority, same old speaker *** A lose-lose situation in HS closings *** Harlem Lullaby The death of Percy Sutton marks the passing of a pioneering era in New York. Maybe that’s a good thing *** City fire deaths hit all-time low in 2009 *** In New York City, a Chilly Library Has Its Rewards
Gov of La Mancha Albany Gov wants ultimate fighting legalized in NY - to help budget!
*** Paterson riding to rescue of free MetroCards for students *** SNL Does It Again ***Paterson sees nothing wrong with Ford running, or does he? *** EJ McMahon pans Paterson's announcement today that he expects the 2010-2011 budget to result in a surplus for property tax relief.
Inside Albany Pols to loosen the cap *** Promises and Facts on Charter SchoolsA national plan to turn failing schools into charters could improve education as long as the operators are monitored and held to high standards (NYT Ed) **** Jim Odato writes that NYRA is preparing to turn over payroll records to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. (TU)** State pols vow to crack down on 'nutcracker' vendors who peddle vodka-laced drinks to kids ***fighting a Senate bill that would put the Seneca Nation’s mail-order cigarette company out of business. (Buffalo News) *** Hotel workers check in as major political players *** Firing back at Paterson, lawmakers to introduce ethics bill ***Elected Officials and UFT Call for Changes to State Charter School Law - United Federation of Teachers *** The committee sitting judgment on Sen. Hiram Monserrate met again today, but no report yet *** Budget Gap Headlines Day One Of Albany Session
Law and Order Breaking News Prosecutors to Examine Accident Involving Ex-Police Commissioner *New DA probes ex-top cop after SUV hit of mom-to-be ** DWI crash kills two passengers: cops *** Slain Realtor's daughter hopes for justice as trial begins ***Teen held in stab of buddy, 12 *Brooklyn Boy, 15, Charged in Stabbing of 12-Year-Old** State, city eye shady use of check-cashing firms * Jersey City Officer Shoots Man *** Jayson Williams pleads guilty in fatal NJ shooting *** Placard Poseurs Posing Primo Parking Problems *** Subway Newsstand Robbery Spree Now at 7; Force Sometimes Used
Law and Order Breaking News Prosecutors to Examine Accident Involving Ex-Police Commissioner *New DA probes ex-top cop after SUV hit of mom-to-be ** DWI crash kills two passengers: cops *** Slain Realtor's daughter hopes for justice as trial begins ***Teen held in stab of buddy, 12 *Brooklyn Boy, 15, Charged in Stabbing of 12-Year-Old** State, city eye shady use of check-cashing firms * Jersey City Officer Shoots Man *** Jayson Williams pleads guilty in fatal NJ shooting *** Placard Poseurs Posing Primo Parking Problems *** Subway Newsstand Robbery Spree Now at 7; Force Sometimes Used
New York Economic Melt Down Tishman defaults on huge Stuy-Town loan *** More apartments deemed illegally deregulated *** Manhattan office sales plummet 76% in 2009 *** SL Green grabs 100 Church St. after default *** Foxwoods Casino Breaks the Bank *** DiNapoli: State needs more than revenue from Wall Street bonuses *** Manhattan Rental Prices Dropped In '09, Report Finds *** City, state war likely if OTB shuts down over who is responsible for the $550 million employee retirement benefits.
More City News A wing & a flair Passengers cheer pilot in Newark miracle *** Nixon kin in LI ballot bid *** VIDEO: It's No Pants Day in NYC *** Taking a ride on the panty line *** YMCA Opens Facilities At Park Slope Armory *** Canal Street Loews To Become Cultural Center *** A Push to Bring the S.S. United States Back Home *** Brooklyn Strongman Killed While Crossing Street
Terrorism Abdulmutallab's British education: The young radical was in full flower *** Terror watchdog's slope trip a huge slipup, says GOP big Kyl *** Don't Panic. Fear is al-Qaeda's Real Goal - Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post *** The Terror Trap - The Nation *** A Look at What al-Qaeda Can't Do - Peter Beinart, Time *** Al-Qaeda's New Grand Strategy - Bruce Hoffman, Washington Post *** Judge Hears Arguments On Rights Of Terror Suspect *** Newsweek: What wasn't in the recent terror report
White House Obama Weighs Fee to Recoup Bank Bailout and Cut Deficit *** Privatized War, and Its Price Obama must keep his promise to get rid of the thousands of freelance gunmen still deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere (NYT Ed) *** Obama Plays Down Military Role in Yemen *** Drone Flights Leave Military Awash in Data *** Obama's Policies Are Routing Recovery - Charles Gasparino, New York Post *** Suddenly Nostalgic for Bill Clinton - David Boaz, Washington Times *** Obama Has the Right Approach to Terror Threat - Steve Coll, New Yorker *** Too Many Slips on Foreign Policy - Eliot Cohen, Wall Street Journal *** Obama Must Be More Than Responsible - The Australian *** Obama, Labor Leaders Square-Off over 'Cadillac' Tax - The Hill *** Geithner Retains Support of Obama, Congressional Dems - Bloomberg *** Rahm Emanuel not running for Chicago mayor (MSNBC) *** McChrystal: 'The Tide Is Turning' *** Obama Weighs Bank Fee to Help Cut the Federal Deficit *** Poll: 7 in 10 Afghans support US forces *** WATCH: Accused White House Gate-Crasher Says He Was Invited *** Axelrod Lays Out Dems' 2010 Election Strategy *** Time for Obama to Take More Direct Charge - Michael Tomasky, Guardian *** Nixon Papers Reveal War on Media, Kennedys and Modern Art (ABC News) *** Geithner is asked to testify to Congress about AIG's payouts *** White House to back bank fees *** Clinton Points to Possible Tensions With China *** Poll: Most Americans Say Keep Gitmo Open
Congress Lawmakers’ Visits on the First Day of the Detroit Auto Show Seem to Set a Pattern * Republicans call for Harry Reid to quit Senate over Obama comments *** Thank You, C-SPAN - Andrew Ferguson, Weekly Standard *** Health Care: Easier Than It Looks - E.J. Dionne, Washington Post *** American Life by the Numbers - Robert Samuelson, Newsweek *** No One Punished Under Congressional Ethics Rules - USA Today *** Dems launch defense to save Reid *** Health Plan's Success Rides on Cost Curbs - Albert Hunt, Bloomberg *** The Ma. Polls and the November Election - John Podhoretz, Commentary *** Axelrod Lays Out Dems' Midterm Push - Ron Brownstein, National Journal *** Schieffer: Harry Reid Will Survive ... 'til Election Day *** WATCH: Chris Dodd Health Care 'Hanging By A Thread' *** Nader's Senate prospects hit snag with Dodd's retirement * In Harry Reid's struggle, shades of Chris Dodd (Wash Post)
Pay to Play Congress Pol Ackerman set up meeting between Israel and firm he owned stake in, and got loan from shareholder (DN) * Come clean, Gary: Rep. Ackerman needs to provide all details of his $100,000 score *Queens Congressman's Sweet Stock Deal Exposed** High-stakes pitch A Supreme Court case could allow Super Bowl-type political TV ads *** Misguided Contempt for the Tea Parties - Tunku Varadarajan, Daily Beast *** Fire Michael Steele - Jonathan Capehart, PostPartisan *** Steele Does His Best to Get Fired - Chris Stirewalt, Washington Examiner *** Copenhagen Summit Turned Junket? (CBS News) *** Pensions Follow Ex-Lawmakers to Prison (SBS News)
Political Party In Primary Battles, the G.O.P. Takes On Itself *** Tea partiers to greet House Dems *** AFL-CIO President: Democrats Are Inviting Historic Electoral Loses
Wall Street and the Economy 10 Years On, a Troubled Merger Revisited *** Goldman Sachs Weighs Requirement for Charity *** Learning From EuropeDespite what conservatives claim, Europe has a successful economy and a social democracy that works (Krugman NYT) *** From Print to Phone to Web. And a Sale? *** Large Price Jumps Reported for Small but Vital Drugs *** U.S. Bankers Are Fed Up With British Regulations *** New York Has Dug Itself Into an Ever Deeper Hole - Financial Times Political furore and public anger at large pay-outs *** What Really Happened with Goldman & AIG? - Holman Jenkins, WSJ *** Time for Geithner's Accountability Moment - John Nichols, The Nation *** One Thing Is Clear, Tim Geithner Must Go - Henry Blodget, Huffington Post *** American Workers Are in Bad Shape - Coy, Conlin & Herbst, BusinessWeek *Lawmakers tour Detroit auto show - washingtonpost.com ** A Jobless Recovery & Obama's Still Talking Green Jobs? - Editorial, IBD *** Bankers Unhappy with Best Year Ever *** Ford Fusion Hybrid Wins 2010 Car of Year Award *** Bookseller Barnes & Noble to rent textbooks to college students *** Spitzer: Outrage Over 'Crazy Bonuses' Is Legitimate *** Cuomo asks 8 banks for bonus information ***Bank of America back in SEC crosshairs *** AOL laying off up to 1,200 employees *** Goldman Sachs To Donate Money So It Seems Less Evil *** What Caused the Economic Crisis? - Jacob Weisberg, Slate *WATCH: Dylan Ratigan Makes The Case Against Geithner* Report: Prices of some drugs have doubled *** Fed Protects Bailed-Out Firms
National Youngstown Yawns If there is something right in Youngstown, Ohio, a down-and-out steeltown, a corrupt politician won’t be given a second act (NYT Ed) *** The Supreme Court will consider whether to allow corporations to air political advertisements. (AP) *** The Capital Region ranks as one of the least racially diverse places in the country. (TU) *** American Life by the Numbers - Robert Samuelson, Newsweek *** Gay Marriage Has Its Day in U.S. Court *** No Cameras in Federal Courtroom for California Gay Marriage Hearing *** New Jersey Assembly Approves Medical Marijuana *** California gay marriage trial jumps into debate *** Cold Pummels Fla. Crops
International North Korea Calls for Peace Treaty Talks With U.S. * N. Korea calls for peace talks to formally end Korean War *** Tehran is about to blow! Where's Obama? *** The Path to War with Iran - Kevin Sullivan, The Compass *** Sudan Will Be Split in Two - Sultan Al Qassemi, The National *** Our Man in Yemen - Kevin Peraino & Michael Hirsh, Newsweek *** Spike in Female Ambassadors to U.S. *** Mysterious Death of First Man in Space Solved?
Environment Toxic Chinese kids jewelry poisoning NY stores *** Protect New York's water: Frackers must not endanger city's reservoirs *** After Copenhagen: What to Do Next? - Mark Hertsgaard, The Nation *** Pope denounces failure to forge new climate treaty
Media and New Tech Breaking News Simon Cowell to Leave ‘American Idol’ * Cowell leaving 'Idol' after this season**Just call him Conan O'Flyin' 'Tonight Show' star set to bolt over network snub ***CNBC special feature: Sex, drugs 'n' not AOL *** Olympic downhill racing at NBC *** NBC Confirms Its Late-Night Shake-Up *** Taking Aim at the Big Names in Animated Film *** Optimism Takes Charge at Consumer Electronics Show *** Tucker Carlson Launches 'The Daily Caller' *** Newspapers Still Lead Local News Coverage *** 'Avatar' becomes 2nd highest grossing movie *** Hinckley: NBC needs to get Jay back, forget Conan *** Et tu, NBC? Network suits didn't wait for the Ides of March to backstab Conan O'Brian *** Media Does Matter for America - Andrew Breitbart, The Daily Caller *** Tucker Carlson Launches New Site *** NBC Orders Pilot Episodes *** Jay Leno: 'I Don't Know What's Going On' *** Nikki Finke Poaches Variety Star To Edit Deadline New York *** Super Bowl Commercial Prices Fall For Second Time EVER *** The Scripps Inheritance *** Barbara Walters: NBC Tried To Hire Me Last Year *** Sarah Palin Signs Multi-Year Deal with Fox News Channel -- Politics Daily *** Enquirer Deserves Pulitzer for Edwards Scoop But mainstream media would never give it to the tab *** Roger Ailes, Rupert Murdoch, and How I Became a Non-Person at the New York Times (Wolff Newser) *** 20 years of 'The Simpsons' -- dozens of secrets REVEALED *** Fox: We Can't Talk To Conan Now
