Why is Shelley Silver evil for not passing congestion pricing (he apparently did not oppose it in conference) but McMahon evil for supporting it? Perhaps Bouldin can explain this conundrum. Anyway, didn't Bloomberg's plan largely insulate Islanders from it's impact--the details kept changing, so I can't remember.

Having spoken to one of the dropped SI contenders last week, I think your are mis-labling Lopez's role here. Apparently there was an effort made by Brooklyn to wrangle support for Dominic Recchia, but having at some point woken up and smelled the coffee, Lopez eventually acquiesed to the choice of the leadership of the Borough which represented the majority of the district, and then performed the painful task of burying his own personal choice. I have no knowledge whether he gave Recchia advance warning of this or not, so it is unclear whether Recchia really still thought he was in the race after the rug had been pulled. I'd love the hear the real story.

I am also told that once Brooklyn acquiesed, Lopez and the Staten Island Dems engaged in a game of chicken with Chuck Schumer over the issue of Cusick versus McMahon. That game is now over, likely leaving a head to head between McMahon and Steve Harrison. While a number of other Brooklyn candidates have not dropped out, it's only a matter of time. It seems unliely that anyone wants to run in a mutiple-Brooklyn candidate race against one Islander. Peter Abbate is not going to give up his seat, and while Vinnie Gentile is very popular in the areas of the Island he represented, he's not going to beat Mike McMahon in most of those places, since McMahon represents those places himself (though Gentile might have beaten Cusick in those areas).

Steve Harrison is now outgunned in money, name recognition and geographic base. His opposition can no longer be slammed for backing Noach Dear, because McMahon didn't. The Democrats now have a far stronger candidate, and Harrison's presence in the race only helps the Republicans.

Harrison should do the decent thing and run against Marty Golden. Vito Lopez should do the decent thing and back Harrison to the hilt. Those Brooklyn Democrats who fear a race against Golden will bring out Republican resources should take a chill pill, with the Congrssional seat now marginal, those resources are coming anyway, they might as well make the most of it.

It finally feels good that "what goes around comes around." It surely came around for Councilman Domenic Recchia. He was surely thrown under the bus by Mr. Lopez. And may I quote a line from the great soul singer James Brown "that feels good." After throwing people under the bus himself & backstabbing both constituents & politicians since he took office, it finally bit Mr. Recchia in his ass. This is the end of the " Recchia Legacy". Thank god for term limits. However, knowing how Mr. Recchia is a "pay for play" politician he must have cut a deal for himslef. Time will tell. By the way I'm still supporting Mr. Harrison. He came out against the congestion pricing tax, on that issue alone I stand with him.

try to evaluate the prospective Democratic candidates on the merits of their positions. If Council Member McMahon runs a progressive campaign, wouldn't that be important to the rest of us? I know it would be for me and for others who are eager to help elect a Democrat in place of Bush-Cheney ally Vito Fossella.

For example, one strong difference between Mr. Harrison and Mr. Recchia was the Iraq war. What position will Mr. McMahon take (and has he taken) on this issue. I imagine we'll find out shortly. I know I've been asking.

Curtis Sliwa is probably doing a publicity stunt. For one thing, he doesn't live in the district. He lives in Manhattan. What are the residency requirements to run for congress? Don't you have to live in that district for some period of time? Sliwa's really going to give up a six figure a year radio gig and move to Staten Island to run a race he'd probably lose anyway? What SI'er is going to vote for a Manhattan carpetbagger to be their congressman?

This has to be a ratings ploy for his radio show, like Howard Stern claiming to be serious about running for governor some years back even though he wasn't.

What kind of account is this? if not a city council account, is it a federal account that he would be able to use in the congressional race? or is it a different account that the party would hope to get a piece of should he be elected? is their motive supporting the better-funded islander, or just craven self-interest?

Backing the guy who looks the strongest is what is known as enlgihtened self interest.

And Dan, Islanders look at themselves, in the context of NYC politcs, as peasants with pitchforks--3/4ths of them voted to suceed--a Brooklynite running in this seat, rightly or wrongly (and i think wrongly--I voluntered for Sal Albanese in 92) is looked upon in much the way David Yassky was in the 11th.

Now, which is easier? Convincing 3/4 of the voters they're wrong, or trying to sell them something they might want to buy?