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Ed Koch
Silver: Koch Is Too Old To Criticize
Jul 29th - 4:17 pm
Here’s Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver taking a swipe at Ed Koch in response to the former NYC mayor’s recent remarks that his fellow Manhattan Democrat is an enemy of reform and a “bum” who should be ejected from office by the voters this fall.
“I’m not going to glorify his statements,” Silver told me during an interview this afternoon that will air in full this evening on Capital Tonight.
“I respect the elderly and I think it is, as my former congressman and my former mayor, someone who supported him many times, I respect his position in life now.”
(For the record: Koch is 85. Silver, by comparison, is a spring chicken at the ripe old age of 66. The two have exchanged verbal barbs several times now on the subject of the speaker’s refusal to sign the trio of reform pledges sent out by Koch’s NY Uprising PAC).
Koch is embarking on upstate tour next week to celebrate lawmakers and challengers deemed “heroes” of reform for their willingness to sign his pledges and slam the “enemies” who, like Silver and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson, declined to do so.
He’s hitting Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, but has chosen to avoid Albany. Odd, particularly since the Legislature is expected to be in town for another extraordinary session – what better backdrop against which to engage in a little healthy lawmaker bashing?
This is Koch’s first campaign-like upstate swing since his failed 1982 gubernatorial bid during which his anti-upstate statements are now widely viwed as having cost him the primary race against Mario Cuomo.
Koch Fires Back
Jul 23rd - 9:42 am
In response to the snarky statements released yesterday by legislative leaders who landed on his “enemies of reform” list – Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson – former NYC Mayor Ed Koch had this to say:
“Chasing headlines, no. Dreaming yes. Dreaming of headlines like ‘Albany No Longer Corrupt’ and ‘New York No Longer Dysfunctional’.
“Unfortunately, until New York has new leadership more interested in helping the people and less interested in helping themselves and their cronies, that dream will remain a nightmare.”
I’m sure there will be lots more where this came from when Koch embarks on his upstate tour in early August to build support for his PAC, New York Uprising.
It will be his first campaign north of NYC since his failed bid for governor in 1982 in which some disparaging remarks in a Playboy magazine interview about people who live in what my colleague Jimmy Vielkind refers to as “Upstate America” helped seal his primary loss to Mario Cuomo.
Silver, Sampson Question Koch
Jul 22nd - 5:05 pm
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson aren’t taking kindly to being called “enemies of reform” by former NYC Mayor Ed Koch.
Both Democratic legislative leaders issued statements casting doubt on the campaign being run by Koch’s PAC, New York Uprising, which today dubbed a number of incumbents and candidates enemies after they failed to meet a midnight deadline for signing his trio of pledges on budget, ethics and redistricting reform.
Unsurprisingly, given the fact that he hasn’t been shy about saying he wouldn’t be signing any pledges any time soon, Silver’s statement is the stronger of the two.
“For decades, Republicans controlled the State Senate and blocked every single piece of reform legislation proposed by the Assembly and Democrats in the Senate – campaign finance reform, election reform, ethics reform and budget reform,” the speaker said.
“For Ed Koch to call Senate Republicans ‘reformers’ and ignore our record undermines the credibility of the pledge and his entire campaign.”
Koch’s Enemies List
Jul 22nd - 3:56 pm
True to his word, former NYC Mayor Ed Koch has released a list of state legislators and candidates who have so fare refused to sign on to the budget, ethics and redistricting reform pledges created by his PAC, New York Uprising, branding these individuals “enemies of reform.”
Two hundred and forty candidates signed – including the entire Senate GOP conference – just hours before the midnight deadline.
The full list of both can be found on the NY Uprising Website. .
Both Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver are “enemies”. Silver made it clear early on that he would not be signing any pledges – basically because he simply doesn’t do them, no matter who asks. Not Koch, and not AG Andrew Cuomo, either
“F)ar too many candidates clearly want to keep our state exactly the way it is – they benefit from the corruption, the dysfunction, the inanity that defines Albany and they clearly don’t want to do anything about it,” Koch said in a press release.
“And so when you look at the condition our state is in and when you look at these candidates refusal to do anything about it, it’s clear that they truly are enemies of reform.”
Espada Signs NY Uprising Pledge (But Can’t Win Koch Over)
Jul 1st - 10:37 am
Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch has converted a sinner into a saint.
(Those are his words, not ours).
In a news release, Koch’s reform group NY Uprising announced they have accepted a signed pledge from Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Jr. The former Mayor went on to issue a challenge to all other lawmakers who haven’t signed the pledge.
“If Espada Can Commit to These Reforms, it’s the Least You Can Do,” said Koch, who has set a July 21st deadline for legislators, and those running for office to sign his pledge, or be dubbed “enemies” of reform.
“When the legislator most identified in the media with scandal and corruption publicly recognizes the need to change the way Albany does business, that’s a powerful statement.”
“And with his signature, the refusal of some candidates – incumbents and challengers alike – to sign the pledge and support these reforms says even more about their candidacies, their beliefs, their ethics, and their obviously utter contempt for the people of our state.”
Koch made it clear that if he lived in Espada’s district, he would not vote for the scandal-scarred Bronx Democrat, who has been slapped with two civil lawsuits by AG Andrew Cuomo and remains under investigation for allegedly bilking his Soundview nonprofit out of millions of dollars.
Espada also shouldn’t expect Koch to endorse him anytime soon. “Never,” said the former mayor, who has pledged to stump statewide for the “heroes” of reform who have signed the NY Uprising pledges.
“But when these measures come to the floor for a vote, do we want him to do the right thing and support real reforms to clean up Albany? For as long as he’s a sitting member of the Legislature, we certainly do.”
Espada, whose two primary challengers, Desiree Pilgrim Hunter and Gustavo Rivera, have already signed Koch’s pledges, is the target of another reform PAC, the New Roosevelt Initiative, which is run by former LG candidate Bill Samuels.
Koch Goes Negative
Jun 30th - 10:53 am
Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch’s New York Uprising PAC has been focused to date on naming so-called “heroes” of reform, awarding that imprimatur to elected officials and candidates who sign his trio of pledges calling for an overhaul of ethics, legislative redistricting and the budget process.
Now, Koch’s effort is going to take a darker turn, with the PAC poised to highlight so-called “enemies” of reform who had rebuffed his pledge forms.
Koch has set a deadline of July 21 for candidates and sitting lawmakers to sign or be branded an “enemy.”
He plans to go on a statewide tour to stand with his heroes after the deadline passes and set up a system through which New Yorkers can send messages on Facebook, Twitter and e-mail to either thank them for signing or pressure them to do so.
More >
‘Elated’ Koch Dreams Of Billboards
Jun 23rd - 12:09 pm
Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch was in a very good mood this morning following the release of a Q poll that found 59 percent of New Yorkers want candidates for state office to sign a pledge to support a nonpartisan independent redistricting entity.
That is, of course, exactly what Koch has been endeavoring to make candidates do through his New York Uprising PAC, which is also circulating pledges seeking support for budget and ethics reform.
“I’m delighted that on a shoestring budget we’ve gotten this far,” Koch told me during a telephone interview just now. “I believe that we will ultimately win, as we should.”
Koch, who kicked in $10,000 of his own cash to seed the PAC, said he has received pledges and contributions worth $100,000, which he called “a very modest amount, almost nothing.”
The PAC will be hosting a fundraiser next week in New York City at a wine shop, but the location only has the capacity to hold 50 people, so the event will be small.
More >
A Tale Of Two Pledges
Jun 15th - 12:52 pm
Former Mayor Ed Koch is so far having better luck getting the AG contenders to sign his reform pledges than Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Cuomo is with his “New New York Agenda” plea.
To date, three of the six candidates vying to replace Cuomo have formally put their names to Koch’s trio of New York Uprising PAC pledges, one plans to sign but hasn’t done so yet, and two are still reviewing it.
Sen. Eric Schneiderman was the first to sign Koch’s pledges, which call for nonpartisan independent redistricting, ethics and budget reform. But he had a head start because legislative candidates and incumbents got their pledges before the non-Albany AG candidates got theirs.
Sean Coffey has also signed. (I believe he was No. 2). Coffey has made a point of calling for more stringent ethics reform than his primary opponents, saying the bill sponsored by Schneiderman, passed by both houses of the Legislature and vetoed by Gov. David Paterson doesn’t go far enough in its disclosure requirements.
Staten Island DA Dan Donovan, the lone GOP AG contender, signed his Koch pledges today.
More >
Silver: It Takes Three To Tango In Albany
May 24th - 3:55 pm
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today responded to AG Andrew Cuomo’s criticism in his usual inscrutable way, taking a few subtle shots at the newly-announced Democratic gubernatorial hopeful while also insisting the two “can work together” just fine and dandy if and when Cuomo is elected governor.
“He’s been my candidate for governor for quite a while,” Silver said of Cuomo, whom he endorsed yesterday (via press release).
“He was my constituent. I’ve worked with him I do believe that he and I can work effectively together in terms of governing New York.”
“…Since his father, there have been three governors of this state,” the speaker continued. “And most of the time people look at the governor and how they lead this state. I think that’s what’s happening now and that’s what Andrew wants to change.”
“So, I think in all of his criticisms, he – and most of the press reports – probably omitted the fact that there was a governor or two involved in that as well.”
Silver did note that Cuomo doesn’t get to vote on who the speaker is. (The AG himself said as much at the Israel Day parade yesterday), and also declined to address the issues specifically outlined in Cuomo’s book, saying: “I have not had the privilege of having an autographed copy.”
As for whether he will sign Cuomo’s reform pledge – or any other pledge, for that matter – Silver said: “I don’t sign anybody’s pledges. Pledges are fixed in time, usually, and they really don’t mean much.”
Silver said as much when he was asked about former Mayor Ed Koch’s New York Uprising pledge, which, incidentally, has been sent to all the legislative candidates.
Koch’s Seal Of Approval
May 23rd - 6:40 pm
Former Mayor Ed Koch offered a strong endorsement of gubernatorial hopeful Andrew Cuomo and his exhaustive policy book today, a fascinating completion of a circle that started back in 1977 when Koch defeated Mario Cuomo in the NYC Democratic mayoral primary.
Andrew Cuomo offered a shout-out to Koch and his push for redistricting reform during his announcement outside the Tweed Courthouse yesterday.
Today, the former mayor is returning the favor, saying:
“This is an extraordinary book laying forth Andrew Cuomo’s proposals should he become governor.”
“It’ll take an enormous amount of energy and intellect to execute them and I believe he has both.”
“I’m particularly happy that he emphasizes the need to end gerrymandering and have the Legislature provide for an independent redistricting commission to do the job of reapportionment.”
“I overwhelmingly support his program and enthusiastically support his campaign to become governor. “
The Cuomo-Koch history goes back decades.
More >
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