A Note On New York Politics
New York congressman Anthony Weiner has
declined to participate in a run-off against Democratic primary leader Freddy Ferrer, though obscure city rules might force him to. It's a bizarre situation, not least because there isn't a soul in Manhattan who actually thinks Ferrer could win. Ferrer, the Bronx borough president, might be
the least inspiring candidate in the history of politics. Not New York politics. Not even American politics. Just politics, period. In the Democratic primary four years ago, he got his clock cleaned by Mark Green, who couldn't win an election if you spotted him 48%. Ferrer won this time only because of name recognition (turnout was low, low, low), money, and party machinery. Bloomberg will crush him like a tiny bug.
Weiner, a protege of Senator Chuck Schumer, is aggressive, smart, and has a future. I don't know why he thinks it's a bad move for him to participate in the run-off; he swears he hasn't cut any kind of deal. But long-shot though he may be, he's the only Democrat who might actually catch fire and beat Bloomberg.
So it looks like Mayor Mike will get four more years...and the truth is, he deserves 'em. Bloomberg's done a good job. Especially when you consider what was going on just as he became mayor....
