of course public advocate is a citywide elected position, so there actually could be a runoff in this race.

Green probably figures he's a lock for a runoff even if he just gets the votes of those old timers who will see his name on the ballot and think he still *is* public advocate.

Mark Green vs. Norman Siegel in a no holds barred runoff for the open Public Advocate's job thats the ticket.  wonder if green will score gotbaum's endorsement? 

It would be tempting to abolish the office and put needed cash back in the City budget.  However, with our unfortunate history of Imperial Mayors, we working New Yorkers need a working advocate.

There is no question the Ms. Gotbaum has been a disappointment -- while I don't doubt her ethic or ethics, she was not effective.  Now, more than ever, we need someone in the public's corner who is willing to take on the special interests that wag the tails of City Hall, the various Borough President's offices, to say nothing of City Council. 

All the declared candidates are worthy of consideration -- but each one also has negative aspects as well.  What we need is vigorous, intelligent debate so we voters can make an informed and intelligent decision at the polls.   

Let the games begin -- and lets hope for an election season that allows us to make the right decisions for our beloved city's future.  

I dunno about Siegel.  I voted for him twice, he certainly is a good man, but when I look at him now, I don't see a whole lot of vision. Hope I'm wrong, but he kind of seems out of step with what is happening right under his nose.  While a lot of people (myself included) respect him and his long career, what I am hearing is a growing concern that he doesn't seem plugged into contemporary issues. 

I have been hearing a lot of good things about DeBlasio and Iam going to be interested in what he has to say -- he seems to have an ability to work in a constructive, productive way with people and he certainly commands respect-- even from people/interests he has opposed.  That could be an invaluable asset when dealing with the egos running wild at City and the various Borough Halls, to say nothing of City Council.

Even though Gioia seems to be all about Gioia, he has gotten some stuff done, and he doesn't seem to be afraid to take on issues that may not be sexy (ConEd, Food Stamps at Costco etc.) but are important to a growing segment of New Yorkers, so he warrants a look-see. 

 As for Mr. Green, he did an awful lot to define a job that nobody had ever done before. Match his eight years against Betsy Gotbaum, just for starters.  He also is known outside the city and when issues are in from of the NYS legislaure or something affecting NYC is roling in DC, this guy can get a meeting.  That kind of access is really important at a time like this. So out of courtesy, I think we should listen to what he's got in mind. 

We need to remember that the Public Advocate not only sets the agenda and standards for the office, she/he has to be the kind of leader who will insure the agenda and standards are up held by the rest of his/her staff.  And she/he will have to establish the kind of relationships with the Mayor, BPs, City Council, Controller etc that is both constructive and cautious.  That kind of savvy executive skill combined with the 'watch dog' nature of the job is hard to come by.  And along with a good Public Advocate, it is also time fo a ground-up/top down reformer to come into the DAs office.

What we voters need to do is insist on a real, issue driven campaign, so we can see where these various candidates stand on the things that matter to the average Jill and Joe, how they plan to implement their ideas and can they guarantee us - the voters - that they will keep their offices open to our scrutiny and be willing to be held accountable.  These people work for us -- and its time we reminded them who's the boss.

I dunno about Siegel.  I voted for him twice, he certainly is a good man, but when I look at him now, I don't see a whole lot of vision. Hope I'm wrong, but he kind of seems out of step with what is happening right under his nose.  While a lot of people (myself included) respect him and his long career, what I am hearing is a growing concern that he doesn't seem plugged into contemporary issues. 

I have been hearing a lot of good things about DeBlasio and Iam going to be interested in what he has to say -- he seems to have an ability to work in a constructive, productive way with people and he certainly commands respect-- even from people/interests he has opposed.  That could be an invaluable asset when dealing with the egos running wild at City and the various Borough Halls, to say nothing of City Council.

Even though Gioia seems to be all about Gioia, he has gotten some stuff done, and he doesn't seem to be afraid to take on issues that may not be sexy (ConEd, Food Stamps at Costco etc.) but are important to a growing segment of New Yorkers, so he warrants a look-see. 

 As for Mr. Green, he did an awful lot to define a job that nobody had ever done before. Match his eight years against Betsy Gotbaum, just for starters.  He also is known outside the city and when issues are in from of the NYS legislaure or something affecting NYC is roling in DC, this guy can get a meeting.  That kind of access is really important at a time like this. So out of courtesy, I think we should listen to what he's got in mind. 

We need to remember that the Public Advocate not only sets the agenda and standards for the office, she/he has to be the kind of leader who will insure the agenda and standards are up held by the rest of his/her staff.  And she/he will have to establish the kind of relationships with the Mayor, BPs, City Council, Controller etc that is both constructive and cautious.  That kind of savvy executive skill combined with the 'watch dog' nature of the job is hard to come by.  And along with a good Public Advocate, it is also time fo a ground-up/top down reformer to come into the DAs office.

What we voters need to do is insist on a real, issue driven campaign, so we can see where these various candidates stand on the things that matter to the average Jill and Joe, how they plan to implement their ideas and can they guarantee us - the voters - that they will keep their offices open to our scrutiny and be willing to be held accountable.  These people work for us -- and its time we reminded them who's the boss.