Lincoln Restler's slim victory for his district leader position is one of the slimmest margins Brooklyn remember (perhaps the narrowest win, by the number of votes, until Storobin-Fidler). Last week, Restler warned at kick-off event for his reelection that the coming race may turn out to be even tighter.
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| CHRIS OLECHOWSKI |
According to Politicker's dispatch from the event, Restler, last Thursday night, cited the strength of his opponent, CB1 chairman Chris Olechowski, especially his ties to Greenpoint’s Polish community - where he kicked off his own campaign, and the firm backing Olechowski is receiving from the Councilman Steve Levin. It was also noted that redistricting took out parts of Fort Greene from Restler's district, a stronghold for him.
Restler conceded at the party that he "can't touch" the Jewish community of Williamsburg, where the majority is loyal to the Vito Lopez. To make up for Vito's strength there, he's aiming to do better than the 79 percent that he won outside the Jewish community, according to his account.
Also, City&State reported last month about a recent meeting between Restler and Steve Levin, in which Lincoln tried to reach a non-aggression pact with Levin, according to Levin's and others' account (oh no, can't be that this reformer was ready to make a deal with the machine...). He was offering not to challenge Levin for his Council seat next year, if Levin and Lopez don't challenge him this year. Levin refused the deal, and is actively supporting Christopher Olechowski.
Restler haven't denied Levin's account, but is saying that currently the, "Council race isn’t on my radar.” Restler is widely believed to consider a bid to unseat Levin next year, and by the meeting he also asked Levin to break away from his former superior and mentor Vito Lopez.
In other news about the constant struggle between Vito Lopez and his opponents, Jesus Gonzolez - who lost it a 3-way race against Assemblyman Rafael Espinal, the victor who was supported by Lopez, and a Towns-family candidate in a special election for Daryl Towns' assembly seat - filed for a committee for a possible run for Erik Dilan's seat, should Dilan win against Nydia Velazquez. Even if he loses, Dilan will step down next year due to term-limits.
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OP, you usually know how to read between the lines... here you fell for the spin in the headlines, in the article itself it appears, ( and you also mention it...) Restler wanted that Levin should brake his ties with Vito Lopez, which is absurd,(if Levin will break ties with Lopez, why wouldn't Lopez run somebody against Restler...) and just shows that Restler never intended a real agreement. it was just an opportunity to have the biased against Lopez Media, spin another story.
ReplyDeleteI think that in my article its quiet clear that the request to brake ties with Lopez is is how Restler describes the meeting.
DeleteI believe that this was a real attempt by Restler to avoid a tough challenge, by striking a deal with the Lopez camp. After all, notwithstanding his reformer/fighter credentials, he's in politics where deal making carries the day.
I am surprised at you, how can you call it "striking a deal with the Lopez camp" when his request was to break ties with him? its absurd.
DeleteIt's quiet clear (and Restler isn't disputing it) that the main topic at the meeting was an offer by Restler not to oppose Levin if he commit to let him run unchellenged. The talk about breaking ties with Vito, if it happened, seem to be mere lip service.
Deletethis may be "quiet" clear, but "loudly" clear is that Restler wanted Levin should break ties with Lopez (and be HIS puppet) which is absurd by itself and especially in order to make a deal that Lopez shouldn't run anybody against him.
DeleteEverything else is your assumptions, how he said it and when he said it, it is "quite" clear that you have no own source, you are just taking stories from the media and put your own analysis (which I happen to like). but dont tell me how the meeting went when you have no knowledge.
You admit that your narrative is "absurd" and doesn't make sense.
DeleteLevin and Restler recently signed up to follow me on twitter, and one of them tried to communicate with me on his own terms. None have disputed what was discussed at the meeting. If they will, I will gladly post it. Meanwhile, my interpretation looks accurate.
If you have inside information, I would not argue with you, but if your facts are accurate cuz your interpretations weren't disputed by your twitter followers, then tell me who is "absurd" and not making sense...
Delete"Absurd," I quoted you.
DeleteI don't have inside information, in this case. I believe that the fact that the 2 subjects signed up to follow me as a result of this story and one reached out to me afterwards, and they haven't disputed my account, is telling.
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