Flood Gates are Open; Schumer to Endorse Velazquez

The NY-08 congressional race is intensifying. Both candidates are vying for the pro-Israel mantle, while another small business group joined the chorus against Velazquez. And Velazquez is expected to line up some prominent Jewish supporters next week, topped by Senator Schumer, in what looks like an attempt to lure back pro-Israeli Jewish voters.

In a letter sent last week to Lower East Side Jewish voters, Erik Dilan doubled down on his charges that Velazquez is anti-Israel, but he haven't sent those to Williamsburg Jewish voters, where this doesn't play well. The Velazquez camp rebutted that: "Suggesting the Congresswoman is anything but a friend, ally and supporter of Israel is politically driven nonsense... She has been outspoken on issues ranging from holding Syria accountable for failing to support the peace process, condemning attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah on soldiers and civilians, furthering aid to Israel, calling on the U.N. to take to task the Iranian government for threats targeting Israel, and reaffirming the right of Israel to defend itself."

Meanwhile, the word is out that Senator Schumer will endorse Velazquez. According to a tip, this will take place at a Jewish venue - at the Israel Day Parade, or at the Met Council annual legislative breakfast . Nydia is also expected to pick up the endorsement of Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver and Brooklyn BP Marty Markowitz.

Meanwhile the small business community's criticism against Nydia is growing. The American Small Business League labeled her today as one of the 2 most anti-small business congress people. It is interesting, since the group's website is listing a report commissioned by Velazquez to bolster their agenda.

And KnockOutNydia sent me the actual file of their newest video, that you may watch below. Meanwhile, Nydia's campaign rebutted that the Wall Street donations can't buy her off, citing a report that at least half of the times she voted against the interests of her Wall Street donors. Yup, it's another instance of Wall Street's clueless investments...

And the floodgates have opened: Gatemouth spent a great deal of today's post responding to my question why he's not hi-lighting O'Connor's association with Libertarian extremists, as he blew the Shofar against David Storobin. As always when we disagree, I don't see much disagreement. I said that he reported on O'Connor's stances, but haven't decried a loud as with Storobin. He's mostly confirming it, and is also confirming that it is because he doesn't take him as serious a I am. He's adding that he's seeing O'Connor more as a harmless idealist. As to why I haven't linked him, he's partly right, but for some reason all the links that he's posting to my blog are broken. And last, thanks for handling me with respect...

And Gatemouth also broke the story about Joseph Hayon's running against Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, and Colin Campbell confirmed it for 99 percent. Gatemouth doesn't think that Hayon stands a chance. BTW, I was the one to report the Hayon will not run against Cymbrowitz, and am a bit disappointed that I haven't had the opportunity to break this news.

And Hakeem Jeffries backed out of Monday's debate, after the green party candidate was included. It's unclear if Charles Barron will attend (and note to Gatemouth: Jimmy McMillan may be more antisemitic - and I only quipped about his participation - but Barron is more influential. Given your O'Connor-Storobin logic, Barron frightens me more).

And while Ed Towns is out of the race, a watchdog group won't let him close his campaign without repaying for a car his wife is driving around.

And in Upstate's NY-18, Nan Hayworth's spokesman find himself in acidly water, for wanting to hurl some acid on democratic female senators.


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