Mayoral Candidates Spar Over Freedom Of Speech and Brooklyn College's Sponsoring BDS Forum

In a primary that every vote counts, The Democratic hopefuls and Adolfo Carrion, the Independence candidate debated, for the first time, local issues that matter to the Arab American Community. The  candidate forum, was organized by the Arab American Association of New York (AAANY)and the Islamic Center at NYU, who claim to represent a million Muslim Americans in New York City,105,000 of them are registered voters, according to the executive director of the AAANY, Linda Sarsour.

Most of the issues discussed, moderated by Errol Louis, the host of NY1’s "Inside City Hall" show, were about education, public safety, NYPD surveillance and religious freedom. The only issue that drew strike differences, in response to an audience question, and had to do with Israel and the Jewish community, was the Brooklyn College panel on the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement back in February, which was condemned by local elected officials. Many pro-Israel Brooklyn College students, as well as members of the wider community, opposed the event or at least opposed the sponsorship by the BC academic department.

Councilman Greenfield: "Don't Vote In November. Your Vote Doesn't Count."

At a large gathering in Borough park, Tuesday evening, Councilman David Greenfield issued an unusual plea to the attendees ahead of a critical citywide election season. "I would like to ask everybody in this room not to vote in the upcoming November elections," Mr. Greenfield opened his remarks at the Bais Ya'akov annual dinner, according to excerpts provided to NYC Elects By Photo Journalist Shimon Gifter. 

Counting the challenges the Orthodox Jewish community faces, from tax hikes, high tuition costs, special ed funding cuts, public safety and the attack on religious freedom, Mr. Greenfield sought to rally the crowd to take notice of what's at stake in the upcoming elections, and the power of the Jewish vote in  the upcoming Democratic primaries, which, in his view, will determine who'll eventually become the next mayor of New York City.

Catismatidis Emails GOP Supporters: "Liberal Line Will Give Us Victory In November."

Following the endorsement of the Liberal Party this morning, John Catsimatidis sent a email to his supporters, calling it a "game changer." 

This is a GAME CHANGER in the 2013 Mayors Race.. I Received The Liberal Party Endorsement. Just as Rudy Giuliani received the endorsement in his two successful campaigns for Mayor," wrote Mr. Catsimatidis. "The last two election results state it clearly --  Romney Lost New York City 81% - 19 % Paladino Lost New York City 83% - 17% Wendy Long Lost New York City 86% -14% -- We Need Democrats...We Need Independents ...We need all New Yorkers."

Brooklyn Young Republican Club Charge Media For Misreporting The Catsimatidis Event

As reported by Colin Campbell and I,  Republican mayoral hopeful John Catsimatidis went ballistic at 3 republican voters at a forum sponsored by the Brooklyn Young Republican Club. Politicker reported that Catsimatidis had sharp words with “multiple audience members” during the meet-and -greet event held at a Cobble Hill pub.

Here is an audio of the blowup as discussed on the John and Ken show on WOR:

Now, leaders of the Brooklyn Young Republican Club charge that much of the reporting has been overblown. In a statement issued April 30 by the leaders, club members insisted that the meeting at Ceol, a pub on Smith Street, featured more than a verbal dustup.

'Endorsement Day' For Thompson, Lhota And Catsimatidis

The third day of Creation [Bereshis 1:9-13] is the only day in which the expression "G-d saw that it was good" is mentioned twice. As a result of the fact that Tuesday had a double portion of "Ki Tov" [that it was good], Tuesday is considered a particularly fortuitous day of the week.

This week Tuesday, Mayoral hopefuls Bill Thompson, John Catsimatidis and Joe Lhota rolled out key endorsements in hope of getting there to November and beyond. 

Catsimatidis Endorsed By Liberal Party; Gets No from Conservative Party

The Liberal Party, without a line, is backing Republican mayoral hopeful John Catsimatidis.

“John Catsimatidis understands history and respects the power of a successful Republican-Liberal Party fusion in New York City electoral politics." said LP Chairman Jack Olchin. "John also understands the concerns and aspirations of all New Yorkers, and we feel he will be a people’s Mayor just like the first Republican-Liberal Party fusion Mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia in the 1940’s." 

Lhota Gets Long Awaited Staten Island County Backing

Following a week long visits to the island, Republican Mayoral hopeful Joe Lhota got the long awaited backing from the Staten Island Republican Party executive committee on Monday night, Tom Wrobleski reports in the Staten Island Advance.

The committee interviewed Lhota and GOP rival John Catsimatidis before making its pick. According to the Advance, Lhota received 26 of the 29 committee votes. GOP chairman John Antoniello said that Lhota, a deputy mayor under Rudolph Giuliani and former head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, was better-equipped to lead the city. "Both candidates presented themselves extremely well," Antoniello said, but Lhota displayed "a much better understanding of how city government works." 

"He definitely has a world of experience," Antoniello said. "And he has the personality for the job." 

Lhota said he was "very proud" to get the panel's backing. "These are the same people who allowed Rudy Giuliani to become mayor and George Pataki to become governor," he said. "I'm humbled to be in their league."

Catsimatidis Opposes Congestion Pricing: Americans Should Be Able To Dream Of Owning A Car

At a Park Slope civic council candidate forum, Republican mayoral hopeful rebuffed the idea of congestion pricing as a formula intended to encourage people using mass transit, coming in to the city. "I voted against congestion pricing. I was against congestion pricing," Mr. Catsimatidis said when asked whether he supports Mayor Bloomberg's idea of congestion pricing. "I don't think we should penalize people coming from the outer boroughs to New York."

"If people want to drive God bless them. That's what America is all about... I grew up on 135th street, and I wanted to work hard. You know why I wanted to work hard? So I can buy a car.. And you know what car I wanted to buy? I wanted to buy a GTO. Why? Because I wanted to. I worked hard and Americans work hard. They should have the ability to do what they want to do," he added.

Pressed by the moderator, about Mayor Bloomberg's argument that people should drive less because it contributes to greenhouse gas emission etc., Mr. Catsimatidis put on a blunt face: "So, Americans should not have dreams?" he asked. "I think we should build more efficient cars. But we should not restrict the american people who are having dreams... If you have a dream of owning a car, you should have a dream of owning a car," he added. 

Four Years Late, Thompson Hires Sheinkopf As 'Senior' Strategist

Four years later, after he left Thompson hanging in favor of Mayor Bloomberg, Hank Shenkopf is back in the car with Bill Thompson. In key hiring rollouts, the Thompson campaign announced the hiring of Mr. Shenikopf as a senior strategist, working together with team Thompson's chief strategist Jonathan Prince.

"There was a time when he certainly was not happy with me, but there's a larger issue involved, and the larger issue is getting him to Gracie Mansion," Sheinkopf told The Daily News. "I'm emotionally very moved that he would want me back and working with him, and I hope that I can help to make him the next mayor of the city of New York.

Lhota Husbanding Campaign Finances For Name Recognition Purposes

Appearing on The Fox Business Network with Neil Cavuto, Republican mayoral hopeful Joseph Lhota discussed the uphill battle he faces in besting any of the potential Democratic nominees for mayor. Mr. Cavuto gently pressed Mr. Lhota on how he intends to overcome the biggest hurdle of all - name recognition. "But the name recognition thing. it's so tough," Mr. Cavuto hit the soft point. 

"The name recognition thing is very important," Mr. Lhota responded. "I am out there fundraising every single day. I am husbanding my money, so we can use it as we get closer to the primary. Name recognition is critical. My name will be out there. People will know me when they get to the polls," he added.