Manhattan, NY Focus

Eric Schneiderman or Sean Coffey for Attorney General:

We have several horrible Attorney General candidates and two that stand out as good. I recommend either a vote for Sean Coffey (my personal choice and my wife's) or Eric Schneiderman (endorsed by most progressives I know). Sean Coffey has been endorsed by Senator Al Franken and has an excellent resume both in the military and working with both Democratic and Republican Presidents. He is an independent-minded Democrat, an outsider and plays well both among progressives and moderates. He has more direct experience having been Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York and has been nicknamed "Wall Street's New Nemesis" after leading a lawsuit against WorldCom. In many ways he combines all the best abilities we need in an Attorney General and is the least beholden of any of the candidates.

Eric Scheiderman has more experience as an elected, but has a more standard Albany resume, which is not always good. He is supported by most progressives I know and has name recognition, but also has ties to some politicians I find sleazy (hard to avoid if you are in Albany). He has the advantage of having already won elections but he also has less experience as a prosecutor.

Please check out both their websites and support the one you like better:

Sean Coffey for Attorney General

Eric Schneiderman for Attorney General


The Mosque Controversy: Some articles relating to the Downtown Mosque Controversy

Mosques and Korans and the Constitution, Oh My!

New York State Progressive Bloggers' Joint Statement Regarding Park51 / Cordoba House

Facts (as opposed to rumor) about the NYC "mosque"

What it really means to have Cordoba House downtown

President Obama defends religious freedom for all, including right to build "Ground Zero Mosque"


NYC Blogs:

SoHo Politics: A resident's perspective on local politics in downtown Manhattan.

City Hall News provides the substantive analysis of policy and politics often missing in other coverage.

Second Ave. Sagas is the home for all news MTA on the Internet.

Washington Square Park Blog updates on Washington Sq Pk and other NYC issues while advocating for reclaiming our city and our public spaces.


Reform the NY State Senate:

I have put together a NY State Senate Act Blue Page that targets some key State Senate races, including two Bronx races. These are ones where I have some insight into the candidates. I am open to more suggestions for races to target. I ask you to pick one or two of these races and give even $5-10 if you can. If we win even just three of these seats, it will make a difference in Albany.


GRASSROOTS NYC: This is an organization founded by fellow Daily Gotham blogger and DFNYC activist Dan Jacoby.

GrassrootsNYC was created to provide a new method for generating real government reform in New York City. Instead of the old-fashioned method of fighting for reform (and usually not getting much done), GrassrootsNYC aims to leverage the power of tens of thousands of reform-minded New Yorkers to force our government to work for us - the way our Founding Fathers intended government to work.

This is a real chance for you to get involved in reforming our political system from the bottom up. To find out more, visit GrassrootsNYC's website and sign up for updates.


MANHATTAN YOUNG DEMOCRATS:

We’re here to welcome you to the New York City political scene. Whether you were a first-time voter in the last presidential election or you consider yourself a political guru, MYD’s purpose is to welcome, inspire, educate, and activate the youth of New York City.

Meet MYD: Manhattan Young Democrats from Shannon Manning on Vimeo.

Join the Manhattan Young Democrats and get involved–it’s the next step.


Some Living Liberally groups in Manhattan: Progressive Action Through Social Interaction

Reading Liberally NYC Classics
"Saving Democracy One Book at a Time"
A Liberal Book Club at a cool bar
Third Monday of each month, 6:30 pm
Location:
Stone Creek
140 east 27th st in the backroom
New York, NY, 10016

Eating Liberally Manhattan
Food and Good Politics Mix
Eating Liberally meets every month -- with food, guest speakers, films, discussions -- though not on a consistent night
Location: The Tank, 354 W. 45th Street (between 8th and 9th.)
For more info: Contact the chapter leaders

The Original Drinking Liberally
"Promoting Democracy on Pint at a Time"
* When? Every Thursday of each month, 7:30 pm
* Where? Rudy's Bar & Grill, 627 9th Ave (between 44th and 45th)

Drinking Liberally Steps Out
* When? Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00 pm
* Where? XES Lounge, 157 West 24th St (Between 6th and 7th Avenue)

Greenwich Village Drinking Liberally
* When? First Tuesday of each month, 6:00 pm
* Where? Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street (between Thompson and Sullivan)

Washington Heights Drinking Liberally
* When? Last Sunday of each month, 6:30 pm
* Where? Coogan's, 4015 Broadway (at 168th Street)


Democracy for America Groups in Manhattan: Organizing the Left one Neighborhood at a Time.

These Meet the First Wednesday of every month.

Upper West Side - 7:00 pm, The Parlour (back room) - 250 West 86th Street (btwn B'way and West End Ave.), with hosts Bernadette Evangelist and Sally Swisher.

West Village - 7:00pm, Kettle of Fish, 59 Christopher St. (near 7th Ave.) with host Tracey Keij-Denton.