Powell Upends Towns; Nadler Beats Impeachment Challenge

No Endorsement for Squadron or Connor; Harrison, Saunders Endorsed

Second CBID Endorsement Meeting Considers Charged Contests

Congressional challenger Kevin Powell received the endorsement of CBID -- 83% of the votes -- over 25-year incumbent Edolphus Towns (10^th Congressional District). CBID members were very impressed with Powell’s compelling presentation, his knowledge of federal issues, and a thoughtfully-prepared questionnaire. Powell focused on Towns’ history of missed votes and questioned the true value of House seniority when alleged benefits are elusive to many residents of the Congressional district. Powell, an early supporter of Senator Barack Obama’s Presidential candidacy, made reference to but did not focus on Congressman Towns’ ongoing support of Senator Clinton. Towns neither submitted a questionnaire nor appeared at the meeting.

Long-time liberal incumbent Representative Jerrold Nadler was endorsed by CBID in the 8th Congressional district with 79% of the votes. A challenge by newcomer David Eisenbach focused on the impeachment of Vice President Cheney as a necessary step for Democrats to take as soon as possible. Eisenbach, an impassioned political science professor from Columbia University, made it clear that his candidacy was an effort to force Nadler to support immediate impeachment steps. Nadler, who appeared in person, dismissed impeachment as a path that would hurt Democrats more during this Presidential election and not achieve the most desirable outcome – holding Bush, Cheney and others accountable for their many potentially impeachable offenses. Nadler also reminded the audience of his legislative track record in Congress and his “political courage” on a variety of issues.

As the Democratic machines in Brooklyn and Staten Island push conservative City Councilmember Mike McMahon forward as a candidate for Rep. Vito Fossella’s now-open Congressional seat, CBID did not delay their vote or select “No Endorsement.” Instead, CBID enthusiastically endorsed the progressive Democratic candidate, Stephen Harrison, for this 13th District seat in the House of Representatives with 90% of the votes. Harrison, who received more votes in 2006 against Fossella than any previous Democratic challenger, stressed his endurance as a candidate and his greater electoral strength in the upcoming Democratic Primary. Given the last-minute nature of McMahon’s selection, the Councilman had not been invited to appear before CBID.

At the State level, three Senate races were considered at this meeting.

In the 18^th District, incumbent Velmanette Montgomery was endorsed for re-election (96%). Montgomery, one of the strong voices against the Atlantic Yards project, focused on development issues during her presentation (her questionnaire was light on some detail). Mr. Anthony Herbert, campaigning this year as a Democrat, did not appear at the meeting and had not submitted a questionnaire.

In the 21^st District, a battle may be brewing between headline-earning incumbent Kevin Parker and “Slushgate” poster child Kendall Stewart, himself a City Councilmember and Democratic State Committee member, but, while Stewart did not receive a single vote, not enough CBID members decided that the incumbent warranted support this year from this particular club Parker's apparent waffling on Atlantic Yards contributed to this outcome. “No Endorsement” was endorsed with 62% of the vote.

“No Endorsement” (57%) was also the result of balloting on the 25^th Senate District contest between long-time incumbent Martin Connor and Chuck Schumer protégé Daniel Squadron. During an evening filled with endorsement meetings by various political organizations, Squadron did not appear at CBID (though he did submit a questionnaire) and Connor surprised many by making a personal appearance. The Senator’s presentation was very impressive, containing a mix of detailed legislative knowledge, institutional memory and optimism about the potential of a Democratic State Senate. Connor left CBID members in conflict – most of them were loyal to Connor’s 2006 opponent Ken Diamondstone and were not in love with Connor, but they were wary of newcomer Squadron’s big money and his work for Schumer, the NYC Department of Education and a big PR firm. Squadron's minimal grassroots community experience was also a problem.

Of the remaining contests, the hottest was for the male Democratic State Committee seat in the 57^th Assembly District (Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights). Incumbent William “Bill” Saunders is being challenged by attorney and political operative Walter Mosley (no, not that Walter Mosley …). Mosley, who had submitted a thorough questionnaire response, also appeared in person and gave a strong presentation. Saunders was leading petition-training meeting elsewhere and was represented by a surrogate. In addition, State Senator Velmanette Montgomery and Democratic State Committee member Alan Fleishman expressed their support for Saunders’ re-election. Fleishman said that he considers Saunders an ally in the struggle to hold Democratic County Leader Vito Lopez to higher standards of transparency and democratic behavior. CBID members liked Mosley overall, but were not happy with the fact that he never mentioned his past employment with convicted former Democratic County Leader Clarence Norman (even when asked about past employment) and that his political support included Congressman Ed Towns and former Assembly member Roger Green. It was Mosley’s tepid criticism of Atlantic Yards that closed the deal for Saunders with a number of CBID members. In this case, Mosley’s support of Obama (he is the 10^th Congressional District Alternate Delegate) and Saunders’ support of Clinton had no real impact upon the decision. Bill Saunders was endorsed with 83% of the votes.

Incumbent Democratic State Committee members Jacob Gold (Male – 44^th Assembly District) and Olanike Alabi (Female – 57^th Assembly District) were endorsed with 68% and 91% of the votes, respectively. Both had presented at last week's meeting and neither was opposed.

In a countywide Civil Court race, unopposed incumbent Loren Baily-Shiffman received 100% of the vote for her re-election bid. Unopposed newcomer Ingrid Joseph, in her third try for the bench (twice endorsed by The New York Times), was endorsed by CBID for a “vacant” countywide seat with 96% of the vote.

In a contested 1st District Civil Court race, attorney Devin Cohen was endorsed by CBID with 89% of the votes over attorney Roger Adler and “No Endorsement.”

Since Supreme Court contests will not be included on the upcoming nominating petitions, the CBID endorsement meeting was recessed until a later date (probably September) to complete the review of Supreme Court candidates and make endorsements.

The summary of CBID's 2008 endorsements to date reads as follows:

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