Joe Crowley (Photo: Office of Jimmy Van Bramer)
June 9, 2011 Staff Report
At a Wednesday night fundraiser at an Astoria restaurant hosted by Rep. Joe Crowley, few local politicians said much about the predicament of Anthony Weiner.
Crowley, speaking to reporters, said the decision about Weiner’s political future was up to the congressman and his constituents. “That’s a decision only Anthony Weiner can make,” he said. “As I said before, we are all subject to evaluation every two years.”
“He’s in a pickle,” said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. “He’s in trouble.”
“Everyone is talking about it,” observed George Arzt, a political consultant and former press secretary for former Mayor Ed Koch.
Some had a bit more to say. Asked if Weiner should step down, City Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer said: “It’s so hard to say at this point. Obviously that’s a deeply personal decision. He has to decide how much of this he wants to take.”
Fellow City Councilman Mark Weprin said he believes Weiner, a close friend and neighbor, could withstand the calls for his resignation.
“I think it’s up to him whether he goes,” Weprin said. “He’s been a good congressman. If this is the worst it’s going to be—what broke today—I don’t see why he doesn’t stay.”
