Nine years ago I helped run a spirited campaign against Manhattan Assemblyman Jonathan Bing (D-East Side).   It was an open seat race that went to a recount, lasting until just before Christmas, with Bing prevailing by a couple of hundred votes at the end of the day. My candidate, Gail Hilson (R), would have made […]

Aristides (?530-?468 BC), Athenian statesman. Known as “Aristides the Just,” he was at first loved and respected by the Athenians.  Then, influenced by his rival, Themistocles, they banished him in 483 or 482 BC. He was later recalled, led the Greek resistance to the Persians, and commanded the Athenian forces the battle of Plataea (479). […]

Where does all the blue ribbon in Washington go after it’s torn from the doors of  discarded commissions?  Is there a federal ribbon depository, or does the same worn spool get trotted out over and over again? It’s a question that should be answered, because the number of revolving-door blue ribbon panels in Washington has […]

I’ve read several private and public political polls lately that, at first glance, suggest a personality disorder among New York’s electorate. The unsurprising core condition: Voters want everything — tax cuts, service increases, less debt, and more (small “s”) social security. They dislike Republicans, on balance, but generally like the GOP’s policy prescriptions. They don’t […]

New York Republicans looking to get back to their roots have an opportunity staring them in the face. By stepping forward and encouraging passage of gay marriage legislation in the state senate this Spring, traditional Republicans can remind voters, in a highly visible way, of the principal issue upon which their party once stood: equal […]

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels reportedly blew away conservative conference CPAC yesterday with this speech.  I can understand why after reading it.  (Audio of the speech available here.) There are glimmers of greatness in here. The 2012 election may have just gotten a lot more interesting… Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels February 11, 2011 Remarks Ronald Reagan Centennial Dinner Conservative Political […]

I have a new favorite writer at Time Magazine.  Amy Sullivan briefly chronicles her trip through a TSA pat-down. It’s worth a read.

I promise to lay off on the Nanny-state griping, but New York is such a target-rich environment these days. On a subway last night I got bombarded with health-police signage — an entire car of billboard ads  — chastising passengers for drinking beverages with calories. The one my face was squeezed into watching read (I’m […]

Mike Bloomberg stepped in it again. This time with the Irish. My people. Seems the mayor fell into the old trap: he used drunkenness and Irish in the same sentence. For shame! If the mayor were Irish, all would be fine. But he’s not, so the press releases are now flying. How embarrassing — for […]

The congressman Chris Lee matter is depressingly human.  If you haven’t yet learned of it, it’s a sad tale: A promising New York congressman resigned yesterday after a shirt-less photo that he emailed to a young woman was passed onto bloggers, who promptly posted it on the Internet.  The congressman, 46, is married and a […]