Comments on: Silver Wins Big as Squadron Ousts Connor

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 02:22:01 +0000

common sense:
I am happy to let Sheldon Silver introduce his own version of CP (just not the mayor's) as soon as he gives the $354 million to the city that his inexcusable actions cost NYC. Ain't gonna happen so Silver's got-to-go. He should have used his charm when he had the chance to get CP enacted and avoid transit fare hikes that will hurt all of us (except those who drive in and still get a free ride)

He's running scared and he should be. Hey-hey ho-ho Shelly Silver's got to-go. Repeat.

By: Mark Walker

Mark Walker — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:13:22 +0000

Remember two guys named Spitzer and Bruno? They were elected, just like Silver, and appeared untouchable, just like Silver. Then something happened. They're gone now.

The election is over. Let the investigative reporting begin. What exactly does Silver do for that law firm? Does it have anything to do with the state? And what does he get paid?

By: Eric McClure

Eric McClure — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:59:57 +0000

Shelly Silver runs New York State on the strength of fewer than 7,000 votes. Isn't democracy grand?

By: common sense

common sense — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:43:23 +0000

I was going to add that instead of bitter time wasting silliness we could put ourselves in a position to celebrating real victory in 2010 not another campaign that is likely doomed to failure.

By: common sense

common sense — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:42:08 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow bicyclists, joggers and believers in a more sustainable New York. Perhaps it is time for us to reach to Silver, who is not the enemy despite the foolish posts by extremists from both corners on this blog. He changed his mind on Mayoral control of education; he is the major supporter of the 2nd Avenue subway and he did say he would support some form of congestion pricing (just not the Mayor's) and would then use his charm on his fellow legislators. All who attack him are ensuring it will not happen. Let's think big picture, not petty politics.

By: fdr

fdr — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:12:51 +0000

So Silver still has $2 1/2 million left over, and now that he has been warned of future opposition, he will be busy raising more over the next 2 years, plus making sure he is visible in the community to take credit for whatever he can. His opponents next time better be prepared to raise a lot more money and pull out a lot more voters.

By: Heffron

Heffron — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:40:48 +0000

Ellen Young is Flushing also lost to Grace Meng. You may remember Assemblywoman Young was hit by a cab while riding her bike to work the other month.

By: Susan Donovan

Susan Donovan — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:31:16 +0000

"Mr. Silver spent at least $380,000 of his $3 million campaign war chest, compared to about $150,000 by his two challengers combined."
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080909/FREE/809099955

He was outspent big time. Newell did a great job, if you factor that in.

By: Urbanis

Urbanis — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:21:46 +0000

Paul Newell did extremely well, considering. I only wish Luke Henry had bowed out and thrown his support over to Newell.

By: Larry Littlefield

Larry Littlefield — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:21:16 +0000

Forget the percentages. Only 6,743 people were willing to vote for Silver, presumably all folks who benefit from one deal or favor or another.

Newell was right -- if he could convince 10,000 people to bother to go to the polls and vote, the incumbent could be replaced. Only 2,400 people could be bothered -- in spite of everything that has gone on in this state.

Nobody who isn't in on some deal votes in the primaries.

And in the general election, nobody votes for Republicans in a district like this. Get on the ballot as an independent? You'd probably need more signatures than Newell and Henry got votes -- 1,500 is the minimum.

By: mfs

mfs — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:04:41 +0000

Full results here:
http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/politics/85663/primary-2008-election-returns/Default.aspx

By: Susan Donovan

Susan Donovan — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:55:47 +0000

Here ya go glen:

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/09/silver-66-squadron-declares-vi.html

By: Glenn

Glenn — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:51:41 +0000

Squadron had a lot more volunteers out and seemed to have a lot more resources at his disposal and a high profile Democrat backing him.

If Newell had more cash, more volunteers and more high ranking Dems willing to go against Shelly he would have made a much bigger showing.

I can't find actual vote counts from yesterday's primary - just percentages. Are these available somewhere? Please link here

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:50:55 +0000

We got rid of Bruno for his corruption....let's get Silver now who is just as or more corrupt as Joe was. Let's look into his questionable dealings with law firms and lobbyists. If all three papers want him gone then maybe they'll keep up the fire. BTW how long do we think Rangel has before he's gone? The days of the corrupt Albany should be over...let's move forward. Oh and "brooklyn and i" you are an ass. Congestion pricing is a MUST for the city and will come eventually. So kudos to Felder for sticking up for it and Silver, Glick and all the other pathetic ones who gave up $354 million in Federal funds and in effect voted for a fare increase should be shown the highway.

By: Susan Donovan

Susan Donovan — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 17:25:29 +0000

You'd just love it if we all just gave up, right Joe? Too bad that won't happen.

By: Mark Walker

Mark Walker — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:41:27 +0000

For years, Sheldon Silver ignored the livable streets movement. Now he's got one of his attack dogs posting here several times a day. 'Nuff said.

By: Joe Knickerbocker

Joe Knickerbocker — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:24:46 +0000

Read what the NY Times' political reporter - who knows a lot more about politics than streetsblog commenters - had to say about Silver's resounding support from the People:

"Mr. Silver’s overwhelming victory solidified his status as one of Albany’s most enduring and powerful figures.

With 68 percent of the vote, he did not appear impaired either by his high-profile role last spring in blocking Mr. Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan, or by the endorsement of one of his challengers, Paul Newell, by the city’s three major newspapers, including The New York Times."

Ain't democracy a bitch?

By: mike

mike — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:22:02 +0000

brooklyn and i - you already pay a tax -- it's all the lost money, time and lives due to too many cars.

By: Ian D

Ian D — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:18:36 +0000

Congratulations to Paul Newell. Shea and I were saying that anything over 20% would be a serious message. Almost 1/3 of the vote was *against* Shelly - that's huge.

Newell's admirable performance, coupled with Dan Squadron's strong win, should really get the Albany careerists checking their backs. Should the Democrats finally take control of the Senate and there aren't tremendous changes made to the way Albany does business, then that flushing sound will be very loud two years from now.

By: Cap'n Transit

Cap'n Transit — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:17:18 +0000

BTW, what's Maio's stand on liveable streets issues?