Progressive Democrat Issue 34: NYC FOCUS

I want to CONTINUE my focus on the mayor’s race. Last time I hammered on Bloomberg. This time I want to focus on the Dem candidates.

The problem is that none of the Dem candidates is a real standout. People dislike Bloomberg, but they need someone they like before they will abandon him. The Dem candidates are all very good in their own way, but none really grabs the public attention enough. I know two of them well, know some about a third and know almost nothing about the fourth. Here is my take on each of them:

Freddie Ferrer: former Bronx Borough Pres, popular in the Bronx and among Puerto Ricans. Many, including me, have a hard time forgiving him for the fiasco he and Mark Green made of the last mayoral election, which is why we got Bush lap dog Bloomberg in the fist place. I have grown to like Ferrer better than I though after hearing him give a very good, if a bit condescending, speech on Education. Main drawback is his personality tends to be abrasive...though that can be GOOD in a NYC mayor. He may be the toughest of the lot and I think NYC mayor NEEDS to be tough.

Virginia Fields: Manhattan Borough Pres, popular in Manhattan, trying to take the black vote but, from what I hear, not succeeding. I know least about her and have not heard her speak. I have heard that she would easily win again as BP if it weren't for term limits. Main drawback is she doesn't show up to things much. She seems to me to be the absent candidate. Many people think having a black woman as NYC mayor would be kick ass, but can't quite be enthusiastic about Fields. I welcome comments from someone who knows more about her.

Anthony Wiener: probably the smartest and best of the candidates. A good solid Congressman and recipient of the endorsement of most of the progressive groups--New Democratic Majority, Lambda Neighborhood Dems, etc. I have heard him speak on foreign policy (as a Congressman) and Education (as a candidate for mayor) and he was excellent speaking on both. Had good ideas for raising money for education (creating a new top tax bracket on the very top earners) and was scathing in his criticisms of Bush's lame war on terror. Pointed out that the US gov't pays money to Saudi Arabia each year as part of a sweetheart deal. Every year about 4/5 of Dems in Congress vote against giving the Saudis money, 4/5 of Repubs vote for it. Very personable if a bit geeky. He flew in from a key vote in DC to make it to a small neighborhood education meeting...and boy were his arms tired. Main drawback--no one outside of his district knows him. And, as a friend of mine, and ardent Wiener supporter, puts it: "He's just another skinny Jewish guy." For better or worse, race does play a strong role in NYC politics and NYC Dems seem to want to put up a minority candidate, not a skinny Jewish guy. But people who support him are the most enthusiastic campaigners, with the possible exception of Ferrer supporters.

Gifford Miller: Speaker of the City Council...and the youngest Speaker in NYC history. I have tended to not want to like him but always wind up being REALLY impressed with him. He has led the City Council to override Bloomberg's veto 27 times (last I heard). His speeches tend to be robotic, but I have learned that he personally is very passionate and eager. His speeches tend to give the most detail about how he will actually do things. I have heard him three times and each time he grows on me more. Wiener may actually be better overall, but Miller is a better campaigner. He is EVERYWHERE. He attends almost any meetup he is asked to and treats even the smallest with respect. He has been accused of stacking clubs and meetups with his supporters to get their endorsement. If true I have to say that it is the way the local clubs traditionally work, so this is not anything new. I have also heard that his supporters are pretty good participants in the groups they join, so they aren't just there to get him the endorsement. So far he has gotten endorsements from Democracy for NYC (and national DFA) and Independent Neighborhood Democrats that I know of. He is viewed as too young and as too slick, but I find him one of my favorite overall.

I honestly have not decided which I will vote for in September. I have the most to say about Miller because I have met him the most. But I like others as well and I may not actually decide until I am in the voting booth. Each has strong and weak points. Each is better than Bloomberg by far. But none are yet capturing the enthusiasm of a city that seems not to care about the mayor's race this year.