Tonight was CBID's endorsement meeting for the 2007 Brooklyn judicial races. It was a LONG meeting and I was watching my son, Jacob, so only caght parts of it. Here are my scattered observations:
First off, Jacob, despite being in the midst of the terrible twos, was WONDERFUL. Played outside and in the child care section of the church where CBID holds its meetings. If CBID ever moved its meetings, we couldn't bring Jacob. But as it is, he loves it. Yay Jacob!
Surrogate Court Race: Both Diana Johnson and Robert Miller came to speak. No other candidates came nor was anyone positive about any other candidates winning. Some said that Bernie Graham was not running, though I had previously heard he was. Both Diana Johnson and Bob Miller came off well. Many thought Diana did not adequately answer questions about her past association with the machine, but many spoke up for her during the discussion phase. I though Bob Miller came off well, but many thought his past defense of corrupt politicians was not adequately explained away. As one person put it, given the very limited amount of time people have in this business, he chose to defend sleazy or scummy politicians and the fact that he didn't get payback didn't convince some. Joy and others commented that if they were before a judge, they felt Johnson would listen but Miller would not. Personally I liked both and found both had some trouble with the machine question. Miller seems to be reading our coverage of this race, for which I am appreciative, and I want to make clear to him and his kids (who also read it) that many are finding it a tough choice to make between him and Diana Johnson. But defending Clarence Norman and other unpalatable politicians will not endear you to reform Democrats. Some phrased it that this is not his time. I think if the machine fades, Miller's past defense of unpalatable politicians might also become less of an issue. As it is, his past bedfellows do still follow him and, though we all felt he was honest about them, few felt convinced. As and aside, I am getting some info that Vito may be wavering on his support of Miller or never been solid on it. All I have heard regarding Vito indicates that he may be shifting the machine's focus away from judges this year. But we'll see what happens.
In the end, Diana Johnson won CBID's endorsement fairly soundly.
6th Municipal Judge: Both Kathy Levine and Devin Cohen came and were well received. Both spoke well and no one spoke ill of either candidate. I feel this is a chance where we have two good candidates and we aren't going to lose whichever wins. Those who spoke for both candidates spoke in positive terms. In the end, I think Jim Brennan and Jake Gold's endorsements of Levine won the day, but everyone was very taken by Devin and many spoke to me afterwards encouraging him to run for future seats if he doesn't win this time around. I had hoped that Senator Eric Adams' endorsement would carry some weight but it didn't come up. I guess it is no surprise that a past president of CBID would win CBID's endorsement, particularly since both candidates came off so well. But CBID now got to see what an excellent person IND's past president is and Devin gained some admirers even among those committed to Kathy Levine this time around.
There were four candidates for countywide Civil Court judge, running for four spots. I missed most of their speeches, unfortunately, but all receieved an endorsement. Many seemed impressed in particular with Robin Sheares, but all made a good impression. Sorry I don't have all their names. I was focused on Jacob during that part of the meeting.
UPDATE: Was too tired to remember them all last night, but now I have them: Robin Sheares, Debra Silber, Fred Arriaga, and Carolyn Wade. Most of the discussion I heard regarding these candidates was about whether to hold Markowitz against Arriaga. Markowitz's name is starting to become poison in Park Slope area, at least among those who were witnesses to or know a target of Marty's recent rampage.
I think I can say that all candidates who spoke tonight came off well. I got a chance to have some good conversations on the side. Had a good conversation with Jake Gold in particular, even though we were backing different candidates in the 6th. Another person who doesn't read blogs heard what I did and said, "you know what someone should write about? Marty Markowitz and the CB6 purge. What he did was just disgusting." Hopefully he will get a chance to read what I wrote now that he knows about it. Seems Marty, who I hear is on a cruise this week, so may have missed the wonderful coverage he has been getting, is losing popularity fast these days.
Next stop, IND's endorsements!
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