County Gambles While Sabini Puts On Poker Face

Whaddya know? I’m one-for-one in this prediction game.
Not only did I have the trifecta in the Preakness this week (did I meander the four blocks over to the OTB to bet it? No, of course not), but I also nailed my first prognostication ever in this column.
The Queens County Dems on Monday bestowed the honor of “designee” on Gifford Miller in the mayor’s race, which was predicted in this space last week. The Speaker will now have his name circulated on all County petitions next month and get to put the names of all County players (district leaders, statewide electeds and councilmembers…yeah, like he didn’t have them already) on his campaign literature. He also gets what I call the “duh” vote — those people who pay no attention to the election whatsoever, but head out on Primary Day and vote for the person who is the “county guy (or gal).” It’s not much, but it helps.
And currently, Giff needs some assistance. He’s mired in last place in the latest Quinnipiac poll, two points behind third place Anthony Weiner and double-digits behind the top two, Fernando Ferrer and Virginia Fields.
This is another in a long line of endorsements for Giff, including the Brooklyn Dems and former Speaker Peter Vallone, Sr. Parlay this with the fact that he has raised the most money of any Democrat ($4.7 million raised to Ferrer’s $3.5M, Fields’ $1.5M and Weiner’s $2.1M). Sounds like a winning combination.
So why is he in last place? And why would the Queens Dems and Tom Manton hitch their horse to his wagon?
“Endorsements and money don’t mean anything until people know about them,” Miller told me. “We are at the very beginning of campaign season and at a phase where the broad and diverse support I have in every borough of the city is an opportunity to introduce myself. Generally speaking, I’m not well known. Most people don’t know who the speaker of the Council is.”
As for the County nod, “It’s a very humbling and gratifying show of support,” he said.
Later on Monday, Rep. Joe Crowley gave Ferrer his personal endorsement, effectively thumbing his nose at County’s decision. He joins Rep. Greg Meeks, Assemblyman Jose Peralta and Councilmember Hiram Monserrate as electeds off the reservation in this race.
And speaking of Monserrate, he told me late Monday that an endorsement decision in his race was “laid over.” Could this be in retaliation for going against party leadership one too many times?
“We’re talking, we’re having discussions,” Monserrate said. “[I’ve] demonstrated my independence…as a very progressive Democrat…Hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to sit down and find common ground.”
The biggest surprise of the day came in the race for the 31st District. If you’re like me, you’re saying, “What race is that? I thought James Sanders, Jr. was running unopposed.”
According to every political website I scoured, he is. According to the Campaign Finance Board (CFB), someone named David R. Hooks, Jr. has signed up for the program, but hasn’t reported raising or spending a penny.
County endorsed Hooks.
“It’s really a difference of opinion on what a councilmember should be focused on,” Sanders said. “While there are those who felt protocol is the most important point, I believe that progress and that meeting the needs of the community are the most important things.”
Sanders went on to list for me a litany of legislation he’s passed and potholes he’s filled, but at the end of the day it probably wouldn’t have mattered.
“Everybody is scratching their heads and trying to figure out the logic of this — A. Why was this battle necessary and B. How does anyone expect to win against us? We had to run and win as an insurgent before (in 2001) and we’ve never lost our insurgent’s edge. We will run and by the grace of God win as the insurgent/incumbent.”
In another shocker (stay with me now, here comes a pretty sarcastic statement), County opted not to go with Allan Jennings’ re-election campaign and instead gave the nod to former member Thomas White in the 28th District.
That’s right: Jennings, the man who has at times likened himself to Jesus Christ, Saddam Hussein and Bill Clinton (now there’s the opening line for a good joke) will have to carry his own petitions this year. In fact, he’s not even participating in the CFB program.
And yet, he still might win. Go figure.
White only officially announced his candidacy later that day. “I am seeking a return to the Council because I can be the strong and effective voice for the social, political and faith-based needs of our neighborhoods,” said White in a release. Left out of that statement…Well, that and the current occupant is a crackpot.
Off topic, State Senator John Sabini introduced legislation this week to allow Texas Hold ‘Em-style poker games in bars, restaurants and clubs around the state.
“You can play Lotto or Quick Draw right now… this is a way for people to enjoy poker,” said Sabini, who added that the New York Nightlife Association was supportive of the move. “[Poker] is a craze that is not stopping.”
We’ll keep our eye on this one. I like a legislator who thinks progressively… like a jackpot.politics@queenscourier.com