Political Pigs Suckling on the Democratic Machine Teat

It is no surprise that the political pigs are trampling over themselves in the mud to get their lips around the biggest democratic machine teat to nourish their political ambitions. These shameful opportunist would carry petitions for Fidel Castro if they though it will help their political careers. Its one hand washes the other, scratch my back I’ll scratch yours, quid pro quo politics at its worst. Therefore, finding out that the who’s who of political hopefuls were getting signatures for the brain-dead cousin of Congressman Joe Crowley should not shock anyone.

Instead it should be a stark reminder that the machine and its rusty cogs supersede the democratic process and the voters. The needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many and they will step over anyone or anything that gets in their way.

Thankfully, the voters of the 30^th District will not let pigs turn their community into a political pig sty.

Carrying For Crowley

May 7, 2008

Thumbing through several hundred pages of signatures filed by 30th CD Democratic candidate Elizabeth Crowley turned up some interesting names of people who witnessed her petitions - a number of whom don't live in the borough, but whose bids for new jobs could benefit greatly from the support of the Queens Democratic organization.

Non-Queens names include Coucilman David Yassky (Brooklyn), '09 comptroller candidate, and Councilman Dan Garodnick (Manhattan), potential speaker contender.
Hailing from Queens, with political aspirations: Coucilman Eric Gioia, '09 public advocate candidate; and Dave Kerpen, '09 Council candidate (23rd CD).

Other Queens names of potential interest: Assemblyman Rory Lancman (running for re-election this fall), George Fontas (lobbyist/consultant and ex-aide to Councilman David Weprin), Sen. Toby Stavisky (also running for re-election this fall), former Stonewall Democratic Club President Dirk McCall.

A number of Crowley's relatives also served as witnesses, as did her campaign manager, Alyson Grant. A fair number of union names appear on the petitions, too.

The power of the Queens Democratic Party aside, this race is also attracting attention from outside the district because it is seen as a precursor to the 15th SD battle this fall.

The 30th CD has long been viewed as a Republican stronghold. If the Democrats can manage to win there in June, the thinking goes, they will be able to establish a bulkhead and perhaps chip away at support for GOP Sen. Serphin Maltese, who is the Senate Democrats' top target as they try to win the majority.

Republican contenders in the 30th CD include Maltese aide Anthony Como, who has been referred to as the senator's heir apparent (assuming the GOP holds that Senate seat), and Tom Ognibene, who held the seat before his former staffer, Dennis Gallagher, who resigned after pleading guilty to sexual assault.