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Wealthy Congresswoman Avoids Criticizing Romney’s Wealth
Apr 25th - 1:39 pm
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, an Upper East Side Democrat, and her New Jersey colleague, Rep. Rush Holt, were tapped by the DNC to do some pushback against Mitt Romney, who has launched a fundraising blitz here and across the Hudson River in the Garden State in the wake of his five-state primary sweep last night.
Maloney and Holt embraced their task with relish, zinging the former Massachusetts governor at length on a media conference call, insisting his policies and ideology are bad for the middle class, women, students and, in general, the entire country.
The congresswoman said Romney’s victory speech last night should have been titled “Back to the Future,” because he’s using the “same old Bush play manual.” She slammed the Romney campaign for punting on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, telling the Huffington Post’s Sam Stein earlier this month they would have to “get back” to him on where the candidate stands on the question of equal pay for women.
The congresswoman also criticized the unwillingness of Romney – and Republicans in general – to heed President Obama’s call to make the rich pay more in taxes, saying that “Americans are not naive; they know a better American begins with everyone being able to pay their fair share.”
But she was temporarily knocked off her talking points when a reporter – I think The Capital’s Reid Pillifant – asked whether she thinks it’s fair game for Democrats to make Romney’s personal wealth a campaign issue – a potentially sensitive subject for Maloney, who is one of the wealthiest members of Congress with an average estimated net worth is over $28 million.
Maloney responded by pivoting as quickly as possible to the moment’s hot topic: The continuation of low-rate student loans.
“I think what’s fair game is his policies really,” the congresswoman said. “…The fact that he has his own wealth doesn’t mean that other Americans are going to have that wealth. I think what we have to look at is the crisis on student loans.”
And then, on safer ground, Maloney was off on running, lamenting how many young people have more student loan debt than credit card debt, and praising President Obama for being “very clear and very personal” on this issue by revealing that he and the first lady only managed to pay off their own student loans eight years ago.
Holt jumped in at some point to take the heat off Maloney, picking up the standard Democratic talking point about Romney being out of touch with regular folks. The former governor “has demonstrated over and over again that he doesn’t understand the lives the concerns of ordinary Americans, and his policy shows it,” Holt said, adding: “He doesn’t understand them, and he doesn’t seem to want to do anything to help them.”
Maloney did later add that she wants to “stay away from class warfare” and prefers to “just look at the math.”
“How in the world can you continue the college loan program…if you’re supporting the Ryan budget and all the cuts that come along with them,” she said, insisting that what Romney should do if he agrees with the Obama on extending low rate student loans is “call on congressional leaders like Speaker (John) Boehner and tell them to support the president’s proposal; the only thing standing in the way of keeping college affordable is the Republican Congress.”
Labor Coalescing Around Rangel
Apr 24th - 3:38 pm
Yesterday 1199 SEIU announced its support of the embattled Harlem congressman. Today it’s 32BJ.
The state’s largest private-sector union announced a slew of endorsements in downstate House races today. There aren’t many surprises. A lot of incumbent Democratic members of Congress are continuing to enjoy union support.
The so-called progressive unions’ decision to remain in Rangel’s corner (again) while he fends off multiple primary challenges in the newly-drawn NY-13 – including one from Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who has run for both the Assembly and Senate with support from the selfsame organizations in the past is the most noteworthy endorsement on the list.
However, several other House members who are also facing primaries – Nydia Velazquez (NY-7) and Yvette Clarke (NY-9) – also received the 32BJ nod.
The full endorsement list also includes two Democrats who are challenging Republican incumbents: Sean Patrick Maloney (one of five Democrats vying to take on Rep. Nan Hayworth in NY-18) and Mark Murphy, who is running against Rep. Michael Grimm in NY-11.
Greg Meeks (NY-5), Joe Crowley (Ny-14), Jerry Nadler (NY-10), Carloyn Maloney (NY-12), Jose Serrano, (NY-15) and Eliot Engel (NY-16).
The union already announced its favorites in two hotly contested downstate primaries, picking Assemblyman Rory Lancman in NY-6 and Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries in NY-10 (actually, the NY-10 race was more hotly contested before Rep. Ed Towns announced his intention to retire at the end of the year, leaving Jeffries to battle it out with NYC Councilman Charles Barron).
““Working families in New York need representatives in Congress who will help to ensure that our country and economy work for all Americans,” said 32BJ President Mike Fishman.
“These men and women – whether incumbents or challengers – have shown that they will fight for the interests of working people.”
Local 1500: Everyone’s A Winner Against Wal-Mart In NY-6
Apr 24th - 2:23 pm
In a rather unorthodox move, UFCW Local 1500′s Pat Purcell emailed me a statement this morning insisting that all three of the leading Democratic contenders in the NY-6 primary have been “outstanding, consistent supporters” of the union’s efforts to prevent Wal-Mart from penetrating New York City’s borders – including the two that it has not endorsed.
“None are new to the cause,” Purcell said, going out of his way to include NYC Councilwoman Liz Crowley, who (as far as I know) has still not issued any statements in response to the NYT bombshell this weekend about the retail giant’s alleged systematic bribery and subsequent cover-up in Mexico.
“New York State’s largest grocery workers union with 23,000 members, UFCW thanks all of the candidates for their continued, long term support,” Purcell continued.
“On the issue of keeping wal-mart our of NYC, Grace (Meng), Rory (Lancman) and Liz have opposed Wal-Mart all along and none of them is simply taking advantage of election year politics. They have all been fantastic and their support is appreciated by everyone in the UFCW.”
For the record, UFCW Local 1500 has formally endorsed Meng.
Purcell’s email came in response to my post yesterday noting that Meng seemed a little late to the table with her statement in response to the NYT story – particularly since Local 1500 had gone out of its way in its endorsement announcement to cite the assemblywoman’s opposition to Wal-Mart.
After I posted the first iteration of that item, RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum, whose union has endorsed Lancman, emailed this quote: “We welcome everyone to the Wal-Mart Free NYC fight. Some people like Rory Lancman have been there for years, others have to be reminded – but all are welcome.”
And then things heated up still further when POLITICO’s Charlie Mahtesian picked up the item and ran with it.
As per Azi Paybarah’s Tweet, there’s an anti-Wal-Mart event taking place on the steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan this afternoon. At least two 2013 NYC mayoral hopefuls – former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson and Manhattan BP Scott Stringer – are on hand. I’m sure quite a few more elected officials will show, too. (Like, for instance, Lancman).
Demos Goes After Altschuler In ‘Winner’ Ad (Updated)
Apr 24th - 12:46 pm
Things have taken in ugly turn in the NY-1 GOP primary as George Demos released a TV ad attacking Randy Altschuler, noting Democratic Rep. Tim Bishop managed to defeat the businessman by highlighting the outsourcing past of his former company and warning that he’ll do it again this fall.
“An outsourcer like Randy Altschuler can’t win,” the ad declares. “This time nominate George Demos, a proud conservative Republican. He’s a winner, not a loser.”
The ad is running on cable channels on Long Island. The buy, according to Demos’ campaign, is about $100,000.
Unlike in 2010, when Republicans and Conservatives were deeply divided over who should challenge Bishop, both parties have united behind Altschuler this time around. Two years ago, Altschuler, who largely self-funded his campaign, defeated Demos and Chris Cox (son of state GOP Chairman Ed Cox) in the primary, and then went on to lose in a tight general election to Bishop.
Demos clearly thinks going negative is the only shot he has at taking Altschuler down a few pegs prior to the June 26 primary.
At issue is Altschuler’s company, Office Tiger, which, in his own words, was “earliest companies providing high-end outsourcing services in India to major American and European companies.” The company was acquired by RR Donnelley in March 2006 an all-cash deal reportedly worth $250 million.
According to the first quarter FEC filings, Demos has $221,615 on hand, Altschuler has $775,357 and $500,000 in debt. Bishop is winning the fundraising race with $1.2 million.
UPDATE: Altschuler’s campaign is accusing Demos of “misleading voters” by using Bishop’s doctored footage of an Altschuler interview in his ad.
In the Demos ad, Altschuler is shown bragging about how Office Tiger “is really about Sri Lanka and the Philippines; wherever we can find the best talent.” According to Altschuler’s campaign, the unedited footage from the “Office Tigers” documentary shows Altschuler saying the company “is really about Sri Lanka and the Philippines; Salt Lake City; wherever we can find the best talent.”
Altschuler’s campaign says Office Tiger was New York based and created 750 American jobs – including 250 in this very state – and the rest in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Dallas and Salt Lake City. Jobs were also created overseas in Asia and Europe, as well. Since Altschumer sold Office Tiger, he has formed a new company, CloudBlue, which the campaign says has created hundreds of American jobs.
“Clearly, doctoring the footage to remove the words ‘Salt Lake City’ change the entire meaning and context of Randy’s comments,” said Altschuler’s campaign manager Diana Weir.
“Hard-hitting, tough ads are one thing, but this goes beyond the pale. It’s flat out dishonest, deceptive, and quite possibly, defamatory. The Demos campaign should take it off the air.”
1199 Picks Favorites In 5 House Races (Updated)
Apr 23rd - 2:31 pm
The powerhouse health care workers union 1199 SEIU formally announced its endorsement decisions in five key upcoming House races, opting to shore up two veteran incumbents facing potential tough primary challenges and play favorites with two challengers in crowded primary contests.
The union backed Rep. Charlie Rangel, who is facing multiple challenges from fellow Democrats in NY-13, including Sen. Adriano Espaillat, who has run with the support of 1199 in the past. Also getting the nod is Rep. Nydia Velazquez, who is facing off on June 26 against NYC Councilman Erik Dilan, and Rep. Yvette Clarke in NY-9. (I believe she’s running unopposed?)
UPDATE: I stand corrected. Clarke is being opposed by Sylvia Kinard, the ex-wife of former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson.
In the battle for two open downstate House seats, 1199 (unsurprisingly) is supporting Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries over NYC Councilman Charles Barron in NY-8, where incumbent Rep. Ed Towns recently announced his retirement, and Assemblyman Rory Lancman in NY-6, the district currently represented by retiring Rep. Gary Ackerman. (I reported last week that 1199′s nod for Lancman was imminent).
In NY-18, where no fewer than five Democrats are vying for the right to take on Republican Rep. Nan Hayworth in the general election, 1199 went with former Spitzer/Paterson aide Sean Patrick Maloney, giving him what I believe is his first labor nod.
A union source said NY-18 is a “major” priority for 1199, which plans to go all in for Maloney.
NY-6 And Wal-Mart Politics (Updated)
Apr 23rd - 12:04 pm
NYC elected officials looking to curry favor with a the anti-Wal-Mart segment of organized labor rushed to release statements comdemning the retail giant following this weekend’s New York Times story that detailed how it had used bribes to win market dominance in Mexico and then shut down an internal probe into the scandal despite its own investigators’ recommendation to widen it.
Two of the four Democrats running in NY-6 – Assemblywoman Grace Meng and Assemblyman Rory Lancman – were endorsed by two related unions that have been leading the charge against Wal-Mart’s effort to build a store in NYC.
Local 338 RWDSU/UFCW is backing Lancman, who has been outspoken in his opposition to Wal-Mart.
(UPDATE: To be clear, RWDSU itself, not just the local, has also endorsed Lancman. And RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum emailed: “We welcome everyone to the Wal-Mart Free NYC fight. Some people like Rory Lancman have been there for years, others have to be reminded – but all are welcome”).
UFCW Local 1500 is backing Meng.
When he announced the endorsement, the union’s president, Bruce Both, said Meng had “pledged her support for our Union’s effort to hold Walmart accountable for reckless corporate policies that effect the worker families, small business owners, and women that live in the 6th Congressional,” adding: “Our Union believes that Grace will help unify an ethnically diverse community around the most pressing issue facing our Unions membership: keeping New York City Walmart free.”
Yesterday, Lancman took to Twitter to decry Wal-Mart, writing: “Whether it’s through politically motivated ‘philanthropy,’ campaign contributions or outright bribes, NYC is not for sale.”
His full statement, which came within hours of the story’s publication, read:
“This morning’s New York Times story regarding allegations that Walmart orchestrated a $24 million bribery campaign to gain favorable treatment by the Mexican government should be a wake up call for New Yorkers who have witnessed Walmart’s aggressive lobbying effort and recent streak of opportunistic ‘philanthropy’ in our city.”
“Elected officials in New York have an obligation to stand up for workers and small businesses in our city and send Walmart a clear message, that whether it’s through politically-motivated charity donations, campaign contributions or outright illegal bribes, our city is not for sale.”
None of the other NY-6 contenders – including Meng – issued any statements. I asked Meng’s campaign spokesman, Michael Tobman, via email this morning if she had a position on the NYT story, and he replied with the following statement, attributed to the candidate:
“Wal-Mart’s brazen bribery tactics in Mexico, and subsequent efforts to minimize and cover-up these actions, reflect a corporation that consistently considers itself as above the law.”
“This most recent incident – on top of ongoing allegations of discriminatory employment practices against women and a long, shameful record of aggressive hostility to worker’s rights and basic decency – only strengthens the case against Wal-Mart’s attempts to open locations in New York City.”
“Bringing Wal-Mart’s culture of corporate recklessness and lawlessness to Queens communities would be devastating to small business owners and working families, who are already struggling to make ends meet. Our local economy should be driven by a growing middle class and a fair, competitive marketplace – values which Wal-Mart continues to flaunt with its predatory business methods and menacing corporate culture here and abroad.”
“I am proud to stand with the strong progressive organizations fighting Wal-Mart’s efforts to invade New York City’s economy.”
Tobman also noted that Meng had joined NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, an outspoken Wal-Mart opponent, at an endorsement event last week.
He rejected any suggestion that her response to the bribery scandal was delayed, saying Meng’s campaign is working on an event and coordinating with Local 1500 to respond to a story that highlighted “appalling corporate conduct going back years.”
Primary Challenger For Rivera?
Apr 20th - 1:40 pm
Yesterday, a new campaign committee popped up on the state Board of Elections website – Friends of Manny Tavarez – established to raise money to fund a state Senate run in the Bronx’s 33rd SD.
That seat is currently occupied by Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a freshman Democrat who was elected in 2010.
Rivera, a former community organizer and one-time aide to Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, became the posted boy for good government groups, progressive labor unions and Albany reform advocates when he ousted former Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. in the September primary.
Tavarez is not a well-known individual. Most of the Bronx operatives I spoke to either had heard of him, but knew nothing about him, or had absolutely no idea who he was. A review of campaign finance filings showed he worked for District Leader Hector Ramirez’ failed Assembly bid in 2010 against now-Assemblyman Nelson Castro.
Ramirez was backed by the Bronx Democratic Party, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., the Working Families Party and several promnient unions, yet nevertheless failed to unseat Castro two years ago. I don’t believe Rivera formally took sides in that race, since he had his hands full with his own campaign.
Bronx Democratic Chairman Carl Heastie told me today that he is “absolutely” supporting Rivera, and is, in fact, backing all incumbents in the upcoming elections.
Interestingly, yesterday’s creation of Friends of Manny Tavarez coincided with Rivera’s endorsement of his fellow Senate Democrat, Adriano Espaillat, in his primary challenge to Rep. Charlie Rangel.
Rivera’s move wasn’t surprisingly, given his longstanding connections to Espaillat, but it nevertheless raised eyebrows in the Bronx – and perhaps ruffled some feathers there, too.
Pataki: Super PAC A Necessary Evil
Apr 19th - 4:06 pm
The rise of Super PACs in this election cycle has caused a lot of buzz and consternation, in part because they allow donors to avoid restrictions like contribution limits and reporting requirements while spending as much as they’d like to support their preferred candidates.
Former Gov. George Pataki made news last week when he announced he’s creating Tipping Point – one of the first Super PACs to focus specifically on congressional elections in a single state. Since he’s no longer running for anything hismelf, Pataki is now putting his fundraising skills and contact list to work for fellow Republicans. (This also enables him to collect chits should he ever decide to toss his hat back into the ring sometime in the future).
During an interview that will air on CapTon at 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. tonight, Pataki expressed distaste with Super PACs, but said they’re a necessary evil in a “screwed up” campaign finance system. He also opposes public campaign financing, which is being discussed in Albany at the moment, and reducing the limit on individual campaign contributions.
“I don’t think it’s a good system, but it’s the only system we have,” Pataki told me. “And if I had my druthers I would allow people to give far more to candidate races, but the system is screwed up.”
“You can give $2,500 to a candidate because if you give $2,600 somehow you might corrupt them. But you can spend $25 million anonymously supporting that candidate on the outside. It makes no sense. But those are the rules. That’s the law…I would love to see it different, but as long as this is the way it is, we’re going to help our side compete against the forces on the other side.”
Rivera For Espaillat
Apr 19th - 12:44 pm
Sen. Gustavo Rivera has thrown his support to fellow Senate Democrat, Adriano Espaillat, as he seeks to oust Rep. Charlie Rangel in the June 26 primary.
“As a fellow senator, I have watched Adriano successfully fight for working families and immigrants,” Rivera said in a statement released by Espaillat’s campaign.
“Senator Espaillat’s leadership helped extend and strengthen crucial tenant protections, which kept millions of New Yorkers in their homes. Together, we have successfully advocated for education funding for our schools, affordable housing for our residents and more opportunities for immigrants who call New York home.”
“I am proud to endorse Adriano for Congress because he will bring the same passion and energy to Congress and deliver the change we need in Washington D.C. I look forward to campaigning for Adriano, particularly in the Bronx, to get him elected as our next Congressman.”
The newly-drawn NY-13 encompasses Rivera’s district, which he won by ousting former Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. in the 2010 primary. (Espaillat, who was an assemblyman running for former Sen. Eric Scheniderman’s seat at the time, endorsed Rivera in that race).
A Rivera aide noted that the senator has several years of experience working in East Harlem on various races prior to his own political career.
Espaillat’s campaign called Rivera’s nod an “important milestone” because he represents a portion of the district that could “prove decisive” in the election.
Rivera’s entire district (in its pre-redistricting state) is located in the new NY-13. The area was not previously located in the congressional district, and so is new – arguably up-for-grabs – territory, although there has been an influx of people to the Northwest Bronx from Washington Heights, where Espaillat is well known.
Rivera is Puerto Rican, and I believe he is the first Puerto Rican elected official to endorse Espaillat, who would be the first Dominican-American elected to the House. Since the black vote is going to be split in the primary, thanks to the presence of Clyde Williams, Joyce Johnson and Craig Schley in the race, the Rangel camp is counting on the support of Puerto Rican voters as a sort of “firewall” to help him stave off Espaillat, according to a Democratic operative familiar with the race.
Diaz Sr. To NY House Members: Retire Or Be Retired
Apr 18th - 3:07 pm
In the latest installment of his required reading “What You Should Know” press releases/cri de couers, Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. targets some of the longer-serving members of New York’s congressional delegation, suggesting the time has come for them to “voluntarily open the door to leave and allow for new blood to come in,” or risk being ousted at the polls this year.
Diaz Sr., who hinted at one point that he might be considering a congressional run himself (which did not come to pass), targeted most of his ire at his own representative – Jose Serrano – who, he notes, was elected to Congress in 1990 and has served 22 years. Serrano is not facing any significant challenges.
“Here in the Bronx, we are stuck with Congressmen José Serrano and Eliot Engel,” Diaz Sr. wrote.
“My advice to Congressman Serrano, Open your eyes and look around you at all of the young people who surrounding you in Bronx County who hunger and thirst for new Congressional blood. He should really start planning his retirement before he is forced into it.”
“At the same time, José Rivera, Carmen Arroyo and I might also start looking around and planning our good-bye…but not before José Serrano does because his time is long overdue.”
Diaz Sr. also offers a bit of a back-handed compliment to his Senate Democratic colleague, Adriano Espaillat, noting he has undergone a bit of a transformation as he ramps up his challenge to veteran Rep. Charlie Rangel – an effort Diaz Sr. appears to believe will be successful.
“State Senator Adriano Espaillat has been sending a message to Congressman Charles Rangel that after 42 years in Congress (and at 80 years of age) he should retire and enjoy the rest of his life. In response, Charlie Rangel must have thought Adriano Espaillat was bluffing and said, ‘Come on. Take me on.’”
“Now, Adriano Espaillat, energized with his comunnity’s support and the backing of Oscar de la Renta, has a new look. Espaillat is now dressing like a movie star – has changed his wardrobe, hairdo, shoes and cologne – and is on his way to forcing Charlie Rangel into retirement.”
The senator also has something to say about the Brooklyn primary battle between Rep. Nydia Velazquez and NYC Councilman Erik Dilan, writing:
“Erik has the support of many who believe that Nydia Velázquez should just go back to Puerto Rico and join the Popular Party and all of her cronies in continuing their push to keep Puerto Rico a colony of the United States and leave the Brooklyn Congressional seat to new blood.”
Diaz Sr. praised Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, calling him “an energized, eloquent, well-spoken young African American” who ” effectively sent a message to incumbent Ed Towns that if he doesn’t retire, he will make him retire in an election,” adding: “Apparently Congressman Towns saw the writing on the wall and has announced his retirement.” (The senator doesn’t mention anything about Jeffries primary opponent, NYC Councilman Charles Barron).
As for the other retiring downstate congressman, Queens Democrat Gary Ackerman, Diaz Sr. says he “also read the writing on the wall (and maybe read his horoscope) and has decided that it’s time for him to hang it up.”
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