Last minute (but not totally unexpected) election eve bombshell: Former Dan O’Connor supporter Buddy Scotto owns up and sends out a letter for Erik Dilan.

Money Quote: "He has a vision to preserve our neighborhood while still providing opportunities for sustainable growth."

Just remember, Buddy is a mortician, and his idea of preservation is not necessarily your own.   

Yesterday, I ran into Buddy’s daughter, State Committee/District Leader candidate Debra Scotto, who refused to say who she was voting for on Tuesday.

Since one of the prime functions of a party leader is participating in the designation and endorsement of candidates, how is one supposed to judge a candidate when she disdains practically the one and only official function of the job she seeks?   

I owe an apology to Erik Dilan for believing the New York Times when it said that Dilan accused Nydia Velázquez of being "virtually appointed” by party bosses when she was first elected to Congress 20 years ago.

Dilan never said that.  

What he said, was that the Velazquez had been "virtually appointed" to the City Council by Borough President Howard Golden in 1984.  

This is absolutely true.

I don't think the fact that something occurred as far back in time as 28 years ago always renders it irrelevant, but I'm not sure that Ms. Velazquez being the boss' choice 28 years ago is quite as relevant as is Mr. Dilan's being the boss' choice today. Velazquez, Challengers Debate On "Inside City Hall" brooklyn.ny1.com     

The ugly practice of politics among the Satmar is the prime reason I'm glad I can't read Yiddish.

And despite my support for Nydia, I have to admit that the Aroni leadership are primarily scum. Orthodox Pundit: News & Political Analysis orthodoxpundit.blogspot.com 

Dr. Robert Mittman apparently loves "We Didn't Start The Fire," which is the biggest difference between him and Jeff Gottlieb. NY-6: Robert Mittman Calls Foes 'Peas In A Pod' www.nydailynews.com   

Allergist Dr. Mittman's greatest allergy is to the truth.

I prescribe 500 milligrams of sodium pentothal.Misleading Direct Mail Piece of The Day politicker.com   

In addition to people who think Atlantic Yards is more important than same sex marriage, Charles Barron is attracting support from one other significant element of the Brownstone white vote: aging former Communists who have come full circle and are once again wearing Red Diapers.

Will this help him?

Depends.

Incidentally, there is a large overlap between these two blocs of votes. 

Governor, please explain to me what Rangel's seniority is worth when they've stripped him of everything that seniority conveyed? Exclusive: Cuomo Endorses Rangel www.capitaltonight.com    

During the four state legislative election cycles when I worked for Marty Connor, we never once sent out our people with a nominating petition that was a "single" (Connor only), except in areas where the local club was not carrying us on their omnibus petition (and that virtually never).

So, I was shocked this week to see Dan Squadron deploy a small army in Brownstone Brooklyn to collect signatures on "single" sheets at subway stops in an area where the local club was carrying him on their omnibus.

Since everyone coming into a subway at that hour lived in the same AD, there was no excuse for this.  

The question was whether Squadron did this out of selfishness, or whether he did it out of cowardice? (Our female District Leader, Jo Anne Simon has a primary from the Vito Lopez supported Debra Scotto.  

Anyway, the funniest aspect of this is that the woman petitioning for Squadron at Bergen & Warren was on the east side of the street, facing east, and taking all her signatures from those coming from the east, almost all of whom probably lived in Velmanette Montgomery's district.  

What a waste. 

All that work and not one good signature.

If they'd used a club sheet, at least the signatures would have been good for someone.   

Senate Republicans complaining about Bloomberg's demands is sort of like Xavier Hollander complaining about her best customer wanting anal.

If they don't want to be Bloomie’s bitch, I 'm sure John Sampson would be happy to take his money and their majority. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/albany-republicans-mayor-bloomberg-driving-crazy-do-or-die- www.nydailynews.com   

David Storobin's bill repealing same sex marriage is bad legislation.

This is not a value judgment; this is a point of fact.

The bill repeals the two Chapters which constituted the original law in order to restore the status quo ante.

But where does that leave the people married under the current law and who have rearranged their lives in reliance upon it? Does this law void their marriages? What happen to their property if and when they split? Can they be kicked off their insurance?  

There are a trillion questions a serious bill would resolve in some manner.

Storobin apparently told a supporter that another bill he cosponsored which voids New York recognition for of out of state same sex marriages would void NYS marriages as well.

My legal expert thinks differently.

Social conservatives should understand that Storobin has not given them a serious bill; he given them a "reach around." Storobin Bill www.scribd.com

Orthodox Leaders beg Christine Quinn not to write off the Orthodox vote.

Apparently it finally occurred to someone that you can't keep dissing friendly Democrats and expect them not to notice.

Their apologists like Ester Fuchs says they are actually pragmatic, even as the poor communities of Orthodox and Russian Jews vote against their own economic interests and for extremely right wing anti-government ideologues.

Christine, in the words of Deep Throat (perhaps not the best choice of words), "don't watch what they say, watch what they do." Amid Demographic Trends, Jewish Vote More Complex | The Jewish Week www.thejewishweek.com   

The Jews: one people divided by a common religion. http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/new-york-news/brokedown-palace   

Will Democrats retake the House?

The Smartest Man in America (channeling "Chasing Amy") says "Not Fucking Likely."

Then again, Holden did actually get to fuck Alyssa, so anything's possible. Do Democrats Have a Shot at the House? fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com    

Chait: This is why it’s vital to bring yourself face-to face with the implications of mass uninsurance — not as emotional manipulation, but to force you to decide what forms of material deprivation ought to be morally acceptable. This question has become, at least at the moment, the primary philosophical divide between the parties. Democrats will confine the unfortunate to many forms of deprivation, but not deprivation of basic medical care. Republicans will. The GOP is the only mainstream political party in the advanced world to hold this stance. Health Care as a Privilege: What the GOP Won't Admit nymag.com   

Just for the sake of accuracy, "Mama Maria's" is in Carroll Gardens, not Cobble Hill (though if you believe this article, you'll never need to find it).  I've eaten there and don't think this is a particularly fair assessment. Hunger Games www.nypost.com  

Before we go, one more reminder.

Gate Endorses:

5^th CD: Mike Scala

6^th CD: Grace Meng

7^th CD: Nydia Velazquez

8^th CD: Hakeem Jeffries

9^th CD: Yvette Clarke

13^th CD: Clyde Williams

16^th CD: Eliot Engel

And one more.

In the GOP Primary for US Senate, Gate endorses Bob Turner.

G-d forbid Turner should win the general election, but in this primary, he is the closest thing to sane among the choices.

I cite not merely that fact that, unlike his robo-call buddy, Rudy G, Turner would actually deign to attend a same sex wedding which he’d otherwise forbid.

More substantively, Turner’s actually had the guts to stand up to Grover Norquist on taxes.

Good going Bob.

I hope this drives the guys at “Brooklyn GOP Radio” stark raving mad (though they are already).