Life Is Good Is Rep. Anthony Weiner the new political it-boy? A lengthy and fawning piece on Weiner in this week's New York Magazine is turning heads in political circles, as it pegs the Park Slope native as a stylish ascendant in the Democratic Party. The piece describes Weiner's rise in prominence since the September 11 attacks, particularly since the November 12 plane crash in the Queens section of his district, calling him a "ray of hope" for the city's ailing Democratic Party.

It also delves into his "hipster" side, complete with celebrity elbow-rubbing at wait-list Manhattan sushi restaurants, flirting in the nation's capital, and summers spent with cable television personalities. All this, of course, is sandwiched between votes on anti-terrorism bills and visits to local senior centers, where the writer is "struck by how genuine he seems."

At one point, the concerned reader is reassured that Weiner's "swinger sensibilities" remain intact, as he regularly plays hockey at the Chelsea Piers, maintains a file of Napster downloads in his Congressional office and plays a mean game of Grand Tourismo 3. If that were not enough, Hank Sheinkopf calls him "good-looking."

Perhaps most interestingly, the piece raises the possibility that Weiner might someday run for mayor- a possibility he says he is not considering. "There's no great plan here," he said. "I think this is natural post-election gossip that's going on, and while it's gratifying, no one should take it too seriously. I know I don't. But there's no doubt about it- mayor is a great job."

Weiner momentarily bristled when asked whether some might perceive an immature aspect to the image the piece projects. "I'm not sure what Winston Churchill was home doing. Maybe he was playing canasta," said Weiner. "I have tried to be an elected official my constituents can be proud of, and hopefully they are not embarrassed to have a congressman who rollerblades from time to time. I can tell you the part about me being single is most certainly embarrassing to my mother."

Hold Your Bets Councilmember Angel Rodriguez's bid for speaker is not as rosy as some southern Brooklyn Democrats and county officials are making it out to be, said sources. "It's all smoke and mirrors. He seems to be one of the front runners, but people are making it seem like it's inevitable," said one source.

The recent utterance by Queens County Leader Tom Manton about solidarity between the two boroughs, a remark that some Brooklyn insiders took to be a blessing of Rodriguez, has been blown out of proportion, they said. "Manton is going to go with whoever will bring him enough votes so that when Manton adds his, that person is the speaker," said another source.

The Fresh Democracy Council recently finished interviewing speaker candidates, and Rodriguez "bombed," said a member of the group, which comprises many of the new members. "[Rodriguez] came in and he didn't really have a pitch about what he wanted to do with the Council and what he wanted to do with the city. His one pitch is, 'I'm going to win, and go with the winner.' That did not work." The source said that Gifford Miller, Bill Perkins and Melinda Katz were all "impressive."

The group is now formalizing a set of rules changes it will propose on the first day of the new Council.

Andrews Not CBID Choice Carl Andrews, the best friend of County Leader Clarence Norman, Jr., and the presumed favorite to succeed state Senator Marty Markowitz, is hitting a few bumps along the way.

Assemblymember Jim Brennan and the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats have greeted Andrews with something considerably less than unbridled enthusiasm. "Brennan and the CBID folks have no love lost for county," said one source. "The last thing they want to see is the best friend of the county leader succeeding Marty in the state senate."

Even if Andrews is appointed as the Democratic nominee in a special election when Markowitz becomes borough president, Andrews will face a challenge in the very next primary. Several candidates are lining up against him.

Brennan, known for his independence, is not exactly welcoming Andrews with open arms. "Carl has been reaching out to Jim Brennan, but he hasn't been successful in getting any kind of response or meeting," said the source.

Heads Up On December 6, the Lambda Independent Democrats will host a forum on the impact of the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender vote in this year's mayoral race. The forum, which is open to the public, will be held at the Audre Lorde Project, 85 South Oxford Street at 7:30 p.m.

Borough Politics Archive
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