The NYC Campaign Finance Board Smacks Bill Thompson

When former NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson conceded defeat to Bill DeBlasio in the Democrat primary he said something interesting.   Besides the usual call for party unity, Thompson said that the NYC Campaign Finance board said they would not provide funds for a campaign for a runoff between the two if the Board of Elections determined it would be required. Thompson said that the board's justification was that he was unlikely to win.  Keep in mind that the CFB provides candidates with a six-to-one payout of taxpayer funds for each dollar the campaign raises.

While their evaluation of his prospects was almost certainly correct, why should the Campaign Finance Board's members or staff make judgments of the campaign's prospects?

Dear Christine Quinn: What You Ought To Know

Dear Christine Quinn: What you ought to know is that while the speakership of the New York City Council is a powerful position in governance of the entire City, it is not a citywide elected position.  You were elected by the city council and their political masters, the county chair of the five county Democrat Party machines.   Since the City Council presidency was abolished and the speakership created how many speakers have been elected Mayor?


Do you remember Gifford Miller and Peter Vallone Sr?  They had the same confusion.

Yes, the prominence and power of the speakership lets you gain name recognition, make friends and raise money but it also can let you obtain public contempt, make enemies and inspire contributions to defeat you.   All of which aspects, good and bad, happened on primary day.

While the Public Advocate is a meaningless position of no power, it is filled by the voters of the entire city.   If I lived in the city I would vote for Alex Merced, the Libertarian candidate.  

On the other hand, while the Comptroller is elected citywide, the current occupant John Liu eked out a narrow margin over Anthony Weiner.   If I lived in the city I would vote for Hesham El-Meligy, the Libertarian candidate.


 If I lived in the city I would vote for Michael Sanchez, the Libertarian candidate for NYC mayor.