People can complain that she is too 'bossy' or 'too inside' but the fact of the matter is that Christine Quinn has gotten thing accomplished while others simply offered words. After Hurricane Sandy, Quinn was in Breezy Point which was swamped both with water and fire. Day in and day out she fought for the survivors of Hurricane Sandy, was present in person and showed love and compassion.
The New York Times columnist Nate Silver says the odds that Christine Quinn will be elected Mayor of New York City are very high. Silver's statistics show that the early Democratic frontrunner has almost never lost the election in past races.
The early Democratic front-runner in recent New York City mayoral races has a near perfect record in going on to win the party’s nomination, according to an analysis of public opinion surveys conducted since 1989. If that pattern holds true in this year’s race, Speaker Christine C. Quinn of the City Council will very likely win the Democratic nomination in September. She has led in every primary poll conducted in 2013.
In five of the past six Democratic primaries for mayor, the candidate who led in an average of polls conducted in the first six months of the election year advanced to the general election. The only exception was in 2009, when then-Representative Anthony D. Weiner led William C. Thompson Jr., the New York City comptroller, by five percentage points but decided not to formally enter the race.
Beyond Mr. Weiner in 2009, every early front-runner included in at least 20 percent of surveys has won the Democratic nomination since 1989, which is as far back as FiveThirtyEight’s database of New York City mayoral polls goes. (Republican primaries in New York City have been less crowded and less competitive than Democratic races, and Republican polls have been more scarce.)
There were some close calls. In 2001, Fernando Ferrer, who was the Bronx borough president, nearly came from behind to defeat Mark Green, who was the New York City public advocate. Though Mr. Green had a lead of 10 percentage points over Mr. Ferrer in an average of early polls, Mr. Ferrer placed first in the primary. But Mr. Ferrer got just 36 percent of the vote, requiring a runoff election. (In New York City mayoral primaries, if no candidate earns at least 40 percent of the vote, an automatic runoff is held between the top two finishers.) Mr. Green won the runoff, 60 percent to 40 percent, and advanced to the general election.
While the early front-runner virtually always secures the nomination, underdogs have leapfrogged other candidates to finish in the top tier (although never to win). In 2005, Mr. Weiner was barely in double digits in the first 15 polls of the year, but secured 29 percent of the primary vote, finishing in second place. In 1997, early surveys showed the Rev. Al Sharpton with just 9 percent of the vote, but he, too, went on to finish second in the primary, winning 32 percent of the vote.
What does all this tell us about this year’s mayoral race?
Ms. Quinn has a lead of 17 percentage points in an average of the seven primary polls conducted so far this year. But her level of support has fallen from just under 40 percent early in the year to the high 20s in the most recent Quinnipiac and Marist polls, which included Mr. Weiner.
Ms. Quinn is also only one of four Democratic candidates polling in double digits, along with Mr. Weiner; Bill de Blasio; the city public advocate; and Mr. Thompson. John C. Liu, the city comptroller, is close behind at 9 percent.
No Democratic candidate has reached the 40 percent mark in any of the polls conducted this year, which points to the likelihood of a runoff election.
The last time four Democratic candidates had double-digit support in early polls, in 2005, the primary winner, Mr. Ferrer, avoided a runoff by a hair, just 0.2 percentage points. Four years earlier, in 2001, when five candidates were polling in double digits, Mr. Green and Mr. Ferrer ended up in a runoff.
So, if the historical precedent holds, Ms. Quinn is likely to win the Democratic nomination, even if she has to face a runoff election first.
In the New York's Mayor's race, there are people who quickly dismiss the importance of electing our own to higher office. In fact, some have gone out of their way to proclaim loudly that they are 'above gender/orientation' politics and have attempted to do as much damage as possible to Speaker Christine Quinn.
The dissenters to Quinn's election appears to have one platform and one issue and that is to slam Quinn day in and day out to the point where it borders on hysteria. Really gang? She is the greatest evil ever? Really?
Below you will see a video of an openly gay Commissioner in Hillsborough County who led the effort to over turn an ugly anti-LGBT amendment. Commissioner Kevin Becker is openly gay and was passionate about the defeating this ugliness. One has to wonder how passionate the others would have been without him there.
The attitude that it is no longer important to elect our own and that it is just 'gender/orientation' politics could not be more wrong. Our work is not done and we need powerful and unyielding openly LGBT candidates in office from school board to eventually President.
That includes electing Speaker Christine Quinn.
The Speaker has been there for the LGBT community time and time again. She has used her powers and connections to pass marriage equality. Time and time again she showed up in Albany and at rallies to make sure it passed the legislature. Often she was the ONLY elected official who bothered to make an appearance.
When the hate crime epidemic hit the city she was out front on the issue before anyone else and used the resources of her office to organize a massive protest march demanding justice. She was visible, angry and show up to be counted. Her passion was from in her guts and not a position on an issue paper.
There is a reason that national organizations like Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and Emily's List, are supporting Quinn. They know first hand the importance of electing our own. They know that electing an open lesbian to Mayor will make history and change the world. They know it is more than symbolic and about real power - a place at the international table.
The other candidates are good people. I have long admired Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. He has been a good friend.
However, the constant attacks and angry and bitter inaccurate accusations against Quinn by his supporters do him a great disservice. He would be wise to meet with them and reign them in since I know he does not share their beliefs about a very talented and capable Quinn who has been his long time friend.
Yes, Quinn would be the first woman and lesbian ever elected Mayor of the Big Apple. That is real power and more than symbolic. It is legitimate to take that into consideration when deciding how to vote. Her record on marriage equality and hate crimes has proven the value of having Quinn in office.
For those of you supporting others, I respect that but not the shrill, angry and offensive rhetoric that has surfaced against Quinn. It is unbecoming, inaccurate and not only harms the LGBT community but the entire city.
In a new poll released today, Marist Polling shows that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is still maintaining a five point lead but former disgraced Congressman Anthony Weiner has moved up to a strong second. The Weiner candidacy seems to have stalled any momentum, for at least now, for de Blasio and Thompson.
Weiner defeats Quinn in Brooklyn and among Jewish voters.
Near a quarter of the voters are undecided.
24% Christine Quinn
19% Anthony Weiner
12% Bill de Blasio
11% Bill Thompson
8% John Liu
1% Sal Albanese
<1% Erick Salgado
1% Other
23% Undecided
In the run-off, Quinn does remarkably well against all possible combinations:
Quinn garners 48% to 33% for Anthony Weiner. 18% are undecided.
Quinn with 48% tops de Blasio with 30%. 22% remain undecided.
Quinn has majority support, 53%, against Liu who receives 25%. 22% are undecided.
Against Thompson, Quinn receives 44% of Democrats’ support to 34% for Thompson. 22% are undecided
"Members of the audience called her a “liar,” an opponent relentlessly attacked her, and the moderator at one point had to beg the scornful crowd to let her speak."
-New York Times (April 21, 2013)
Little did New Yorkers realize that Speaker Christine Quinn was such an evil person.
Forget her stellar record as Speaker of the New York City Council. Ignore the fact that she presented seven balance budgets on time. Put aside that she has fought for the rights of others even when it wasn't politically popular. Don't remember the times when she travel to poor neighborhoods and stood with the mothers of gun victims often without press and sometimes only seven or eight people standing with her. And, for God sakes, don't remember how day in and day out she was there and is still there for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
Quinn's male opponents have crossed the line in their conduct with personality attacks, distorting her record and whipping up their supporters in a frenzy of 'hate Chris'. The well known mild mannered Alex Baldwin launch a vicious attack on her as he is supporting Public Advocate Bill de Blasio. Really, Alex, of all the evil in the world Christine Quinn deserves that kind of tirade?
They, with delight, proclaim that she is tough, cusses and plays a hard games of politics. In fact, if they described a male candidate with those attributes he would be call a decisive leader. Let's face it. These guys are having a hard time dealing with the fact that they might lose to open lesbian who would be the first woman Mayor of New York City.
Christine Quinn is an unapologetic tough daughter of Ireland who gets things done. She is tough. She does cuss. She doesn't put up with nonsense. She doesn't like delays when Hurricane Sandy victims aren't being helped. She has no patience for homophobia from anyone. She is a feminist who wears that badge with pride.
Christine Quinn is a strong powerful leader and is the perfect person to take over the City of New York.
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and her Democratic opponents are good men. They have stood for good things. This kind of conduct is beneath them and they know better. It is simply conduct unbecoming.
More important, while these candidates are strong supporters of LGBT rights, these kind of angry attacks gives permission to the homophobic and misogynist crazies out there. Of course you have every right to challenge her on the issues. Quinn can handle it. She needs to handle it.
Hopefully you can stand for more then you are not Christine Quinn! However don't tolerate the increasing anger, disruption and hatred that is taking place. Speak out against it. Tell Mr. Baldwin and others that their anger is misdirected.
For those of us fortunate enough to attend the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund brunch this past Sunday, we heard speaker after speaker talk about the difference having one of our own in office makes in protecting the right of LGBT Americans really struck home. Congressman Sean Maloney gave an eloquent speech how it has affected his colleagues on the floor of the House.
When it came Quinn's turn she was powerful, moving and a leader. She talked about young LGBT Americans and our obligations to them. She talked about her vision for the city. All I could think of as she was speaking was what an excellent tough and visionary Mayor she would make for the Big Apple.
Go get them Christine
The first Marist poll was released since former Congressman Anthony Weiner started a firestorm of press by thinking of entering the Mayor's race. Weiner was forced to resign not only because of the photographs he sent out over Twitter but by lying about them for weeks.
A very high 46% of the voters do not want the disgraced Congressman to enter the race. Without Weiner in the race, Quinn polls 30% and is likely to face a run-off in September. She still holds a considerable lead after a series of brutal attack ads.
Nate Silver of the The New York Times said in a Tweet: "100% name recognition and just 15% ballot support? That's an ugly poll for Weiner, not an encouraging one."
Clearly his entry changes the dynamic of the race. Quinn still has a 11% lead over him. The other factor is that Weiner is detracting from the other candidates and slowing their momentum.
Christine Quinn: 26%
Anthony Weiner: 15%
John Liu: 12%
Bill de Blasio: 11%
Bill Thompson: 11%
Sal Albanese: 3%
Undecided: 22%
The new Quinnipiac University Poll shows City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is continuing to hold a solid lead with just five months until the Democratic primary.
Quinn has faced a barrage of attack ads by independent committees in an attempt to derail her campaign. The ads were inevitable since her lead continues to be strong and the only way to stop her march to City Hall is to diminish her accomplishments.
In another interesting development, a New York Sunday Times Magazine story has former Congressman Anthony Weiner considering entering the race. He has over $4 million in the bank from his previous campaigns. Weiner was forced from office for sending lewd photographs over the Internet. He is not included in this poll.
The new poll shows:
Christine Quinn: 32%
Bill de Blasio: 14%
William Thompson: 13%
John Liu: 7%
In race against likely Republican nominee Ray Lhota:
Quinn: 59%
Lhota: 19
New Yorkers approve of Quinn's by 59% to 22%.
The New York Times in a front page story broke the news to shocked New Yorkers's that City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is one tough elected official. They even accused her of losing her temper, shouting at people and God forbid, she even curses. Not sure if the citizens of the Big Apple will ever recover from such desvastating news. After all she isn't one of the good ole boys she is a woman.
Really folks? Really? This deserves a front page story in the New York Times?
Of course the media and her opponents are piling on as if she had been caught stealing millions of dollars.
Yea, I bet she can be a tough leader. Also believe she loses her temper every once in a while with some City Council members (have you met some of them?). She is Irish so I am sure she know how to play a perfect game of politics. Some officials actually made the stunning claim that she rewards friends and punishes her enemies. Well, that is certainly a new theory in politics.
Really folks this isn't news.
In William Manchester's The Last Lion he shares about Churchill's temper. President Clinton was known by his staff for his 'purple rages'. President Johnson had a temper and played for keeps when it came to distributing the goodies. President Nixon even had an enemies list.
Quinn has been tough and that is exactly why this City Council has been one of most productive in years. Quinn plays a hard game of politics in a tough city. That is exactly why she will be an excellent Mayor. Quinn remembers friends. Do we really want her to forget them?
If this is the biggest issue they have against Quinn then that in itself tells you something. Unfortunately the attacks against her will get uglier as desperation grows among her opponents. She is the first woman and first open LGBT American that could be Mayor of New York City. People just don't do well with 'firsts' as we saw with our President.
Quinn makes the Irish proud and she certainly makes me proud. After all, I have been known to spread around a few salty words myself.
New York City already has its first billionaire mayor with Michael Bloomberg's fortune exceeding $20 billion dollars. There is another one who is interested in running someday for that cherished position. Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, revealed in a 'Sixty Minutes' interview that someday he wants to be Mayor of the Big Apple. The tech billionaire calls it his 'dream job'.
Dorsey is estimated to be worth $1.2 billion and ranks number 392 on the Forbes Magazine billionaire list.
Dorsey calls Bloomberg his 'guiding light'. In a CNN interview, Dorsey, told Jake Tepper that:
"I think what he's done, he has actually continued to simplify city government in relationship to its people and provided simpler interfaces to go to government to get something done and vice versa," Dorsey said. "I think he's done an amazing job and in terms of design, not design being visual but design being this desire to find the quickest path to understanding and really indicating the function through the form. He's done that with the city, so he's really designed a great city and I hope it continues."
Here is Dorsey's 'Sixty Minutes Interview':
The primary election for the Mayor of New York is in September - just six months out. If someone is going to make a strong move on City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, they will have to move up soon. Increasingly the amount of money that candidates are able to raise takes on a new importance.
The January 12 to March 11 campaign filings gives us some hints about the race.
Christine Quinn: $510,000
Bill Thompson: $340,000
Bill de Blasio: $267,000
John Liu: $105,775
Sal Albanese: $51,000
As far as cash on hand after this reporting period here are the numbers:
Christine Quinn: $5.53 million
Bill De Blasio: $2.4 million
Bill Thompson: $2.0 plus
John Liu: $2.0 million
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