Freedom Party Gubernatorial Candidate Charles Barron says: "Don't settle for lesser of two evils"

Read more »

Assemblyman Espaillat's predecessor Brian Murtaugh promotes Mark Levine for NY State Senate

Former NYS Assemblyman Brian Murtaugh tells us why he is supporting Mark Levine for the NY State Senate (31SD). Levine is in a close race against Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat both of whom are seeking to replace Senator Eric Schneiderman. The incumbent is not seeking re-election and is instead running for Attorney General.

The interview was performed by our friends at THE UPTOWN CURRENT, northern manhattan now, a Washington Heights / Inwood blog that has declared it's support for Mark Levine. It's re-posted here unedited by us. We will add our 2 cents at the bottom in the comments section.

Read more »

Castro Opponent Skips Debate On Bronx Talk Axelbank Calls Him an "Absentee Opponent"

On Monday August 2nd, 2010 Assemblyman Nelson Castro was to have debated his opponent; a District Leader that has the support of the County Leader Carl Heastie & Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. However the opponent was a no show. The moderator of the show, Gary Axelbank was noticeably disturbed referring to the unwillingness to debate  unfortunate and surprising and calling the challenger  an "absentee  opponent" .

Nonetheless the show proceeded as a one man debate. Axelbank who is known as a no nonsense interviewer questioned Assemblyman Castro on everything from the supposed scandals, to the state budget, unemployment, education,  after school programs and more. See the complete unedited interview below. 

Read more »

Bronx Assemblyman Michael Benjamin is coming to the defense of Pedro Espada Jr?

While scrolling the Internet for news on the Bronx political scene, we were surprised to find this interview, where Assemblyman Michael Benjamin comes to the defense of Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada. It was refreshing to find a siting elected official speaking common sense on such a  volatile topic. Then we remembered that Benjamin is not running for re-election and although in the past he had been critical of the Senate Majority Leader he is now free to speak his mind.

As we have previously posted on these pages if Espada has committed a crime he should be punished to what ever extent the law allows. But  it is a very dangerous thing when we use the power of law enforcement to dictate who represents us.

Accusations of wrong doing are a legitimate tool to use on the campaign trail, but they do not empower party leaders to overrule the will of Democratic Voters. What is interesting about Espadagate, is not just that he should be considered innocent until proven guilty; but that he has not been charged or "Formally Accused" of a crime.

Senator Diaz speaking on behalf of the Puerto Rican/Latino Caucus of the State Senate also came to the defence of his one time opponent, turn ally: “I am troubled to learn that despite scandals and investigations surrounding several Democratic leaders in the New York State Senate, an effort is underway to oust Senator Pedro Espada, the only Hispanic under investigation, from the Democratic Party..."


"...in this country, people are presumed innocent until proven guilty, not guilty upon accusation, not guilty upon investigation. If they are later proven guilty, then let the chips fall where they may. But until that time, especially in New York State, there should be no selective prosecution of Hispanics” concluded Senator Diaz.

According to attorney Eric Dixon; "Should the Espada disenrollment movement cite his legal troubles, then it would advance the principle that any public office holder who is under investigation or indictment would risk losing his First Amendment 'right to association'." Dixon goes on to say; "If being under criminal indictment [AS OF YET, ESPADA HAS NOT BEEN INDICTED] is an appropriate trigger for disenrollment proceedings, how come another former Bronx state senator, Efrain Gonzalez, was not threatened with disenrollment or expulsion from the chamber?"

Here is Assemblyman Benjamin on the Capitol Tonight show  with Liz Benjamin making common sense.

Read more »

Comptrollers To Unite For Adriano Espaillat

BY KATHLEEN LUCADAMO in NY Daily News JULY 7, 2010 5:38 PM

In a rare joint endorsement, Comptrollers Thomas DiNapoli (state) and John Liu (city) will endorse Democratic state Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat for state Senate tomorrow at City Hall, according to Espaillat’s camp.

Espaillat - who backed Liu for comptroller and campaigned with him on Election Day 2009 - is running to replace state Sen. Eric Schneiderman in Manhattan’s 31st District.

“I am very honored to receive the support of two incredible public servants in Comptrollers DiNapoli and Liu,” Espaillat said in a statement.  READ ENTIRE ARTICLE at DAILY NEWS

Read more »