Long Island Congressman Steve Israel just sent out word that he is voting with the Republican majority to raise the federal debt ceiling. Israel is in something of a tricky spot. He is a moderate Democrat, but, as the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, he is also one of the leaders of the Read More
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is standing up for her friend Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Yesterday, Florida Republican Allen West took exception to some comments from Wasserman Schulz on the House floor about how he was forsaking South Florida's seniors, and he sent an email calling her "vile, unprofessional, and despicable" and "not a Lady," among other things. (Ironically, West lives in her district.)
This afternoon, Gillibrand sent an email to supporters with the subject line: "nothing is more ladylike than fighting for your values." Read More
After a nationally watched campaign in upstate New York, Kathy Hochul made her New York City debut Monday morning at the stately University Club on West 54th Street.Hundreds of guests attending the Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Breakfast milled around a breakfast buffet of muffins and fruit salad, while their host, Nora Brenes, introduced Mrs. Hochul as the winner of a special election "that came about as a result of our male New York congress members who keep taking their shirts off," according to one attendee.
The crowd laughed, because an Anthony Weiner joke at a Democratic political function is one that needs no explanation. He is, much to the chagrin of his New York colleagues, everywhere: overshadowing their message, imperiling a safe congressional seat, and affecting their redistricting plans. Read More
The Democratic congresswoman from Long Island, Carolyn McCarthy, wants Anthony Weiner to resign. She joined her colleague from Long Island, Rep. Steve Israel, chairman of the DCCC, who called Saturday for Weiner's resignation.
Here's McCarthy's statement, which was posted on her web site this weekend and reported by Newsday on Sunday: Read More
Internet Revolution: Obama wants to help dissidents access the internet to undermine repressive regimes. [James Glanz and John Markoff / NY Times]
2013: Without Anthony Weiner, Christine Quinn and Bill Thompson are the front-runners. Scott Stringer is boosted. With Thompson, John Liu can't run. Also, Liu and Bill de Blasio occupy too similar a niche. [David Seifman / NY Post]
2013: "Alec Baldwin 's campaign for New York City mayor must be serious. He's just snagged the endorsement of Chevy Chase." [Ellis Henican / Newsday]
Pressure: Rep. Israel called Weiner to demand he resign. [Ray Hernandez and Michael Barbaro / NY Times]
Photos: Reportedly took self-pics in the congressional gym. [Kelly Collins / Glittarazzi via TMZ]
Context: "This nation focuses on sexual conduct far more than it does on other ethical, legal and moral issues." [Gary Baumgarten / ReporterGary.com]
Outrage: "[W]e haven't heard feminist organizations condemn the 46-year-old Democratic congressman." [Ruben Navarrette / Real Clear Politics]
Precedent: "One possible explanation for her swift reaction is that she is attempting to set a precedent for any Republican scandals down the road." [Adam Sorensen / Time]
Backlash: A Weiner supporter is unhappy Dems are abandoning him. [Graham Murphy / Twitter]
Tactics: "Even in trying to come clean, Weiner’s communication strategy was seriously flawed…broken so many basic professional communication rules, it’s mindboggling." [Steve Adubato / NJ.com]
Social Media: Cory Booker isn't impressed with Weiner's Twitter skills. [Michael Feeney / Daily News]
Great Taboo: More on Weiner's racially-tinged flyer from 1991. [Alexander Hart / Vdare]
Jobs: He could do TV, like Spitzer. [Jonathan Lemire / Daily News]
Jobs: "no sane employer would hire him." [Michael Goodwin / NY Post]
Jobs: "It’s only a matter of time before flirtation texting leads to sexting." [Ashely Dupre / NY Post]
Same-Sex Marriage: Leading opponents have $13 million sources say; funders unknown. [Douglas Feiden / Daily News]
Visits: Obama to see Sister Act on June 23. [Page Six]
Immigration: Editors disappointed "Cuomo bowed to special-interest pressure" by withdrawing from Secure Communities federal program. [NY Post]
Tobacco: City official blames Newport maker for supplying bootleggers by oversupplying Indian reservations. [Gary Busio / NY Post]
Housing: Silver could benefit financially by loosening rules at building where lives. [Candice Giove / NY Post]
Congressman Hiring Lobbyists: Eliot Engel gets Spano, Brian Higgins hired Lynch, and Joe Crowley gets Meara. All working on redistricting. [Jon Campbell / Democrat and Chronicle] First reported by Maggie Haberman at Politico.
Jobs: Former GOP Rep. Sweeney now a lawyer, specializing in labor, congressional investigations and federal employees. [Carol Demare / Times Union]
Disclosure: $30,000 for pizza, by Rochester city officials. [Brian Sharp / Democrat and Chronicle]
Campaign Finance: "No reason" not to move forward with public financing of campaigns, as DiNapoli proposed. [Jay Jochnowitz / Times Union]
Campaign Finance: Editors unhappy Lew Fidler spent nearly all his $88,550 matching funds in 2009 against nominal GOP rival. [Daily News]
Crime: Adams wants increased penalties for assaulting lawmakers. [Jacob Gershman / WSJ]
Sunset: Vito Fossella influence on GOP comes to an end. [Tom Wrobleski / SI Advance]
Delaying what would have been an awkward return to D.C. next week, Rep. Weiner's spokeswoman said the embattled congressman left this morning "to seek professional treatment" and "will request a short leave of absence" from Congress.
The statement comes in response to Democratic leaders, including his New York colleague, DCCC Chairman, Rep. Steve Israel, calling for Weiner's resignation. Read More
The head of the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and the Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman, Rep. Steve Israel, have called on Anthony Weiner to resign.
The demands come one day after Weiner confirmed he contacted a 17-year-old girl in Delaware online. The girl's mother told the New York Post the conversation was brief, and not graphic. The call from Schultz and Israel, along with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, come one day before the Sunday talk shows, where Weiner's fate is obviously one of the topics that will be discussed. Read More
Long Island Congressman Steve Israel, who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said there are three lessons both parties should learn from yesterday's special election in New York's 26th Congressional District.
"They are Medicare, Medicare, and Medicare,” Israel told ABC's TopLine this afternoon.
All joking aside, Democrats are pushing the notion that the surprise victory of the Democratic candidate, Kathy Hochul, in such a conservative district is a bellwether for the public's reaction to Congressman Paul Ryan's budget plan.
Video after the jump. Read More
Roll Call names Congress's "top 10 power brokers in redistricting" this morning, and there's one New Yorker on the list: Long Island Congressman and DCCC Chairman Steve Israel.
With Albany likely to trim one seat from each party, it might be news to Republican Congressman Peter King -- and, for that matter, State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos -- that Israel is "in the driver’s seat in the delegation in determining which Republican-held seat will get eliminated," but it does seem right that he'll have an outsize influence on which Democratic representatives might be in danger. That fight is likely to take place in Israel's backyard, with most experts expecting Long Island to get squeezed by the new lines. Read More
