MTA Chairman Joe Lhota was applauded for getting the subway system up and running after Superstorm Sandy and has gotten generally good marks since taking over the embattled authority this year. But is that enough to get Lhota to City Hall on the GOP ticket?
Political analyst Erik Engquist said the MTA's planned fare hike in March could hurt Llota's standing with voters. He also said the MTA is still very unpopular among New Yorkers, that Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York 6 to 1, and that Lhota has no campaign money.
On the Democratic side, Engquist puts Comptroller John Liu and his predecessor, Bill Thompson, at the back of a crowded field. He said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio could have a fighting chance because he is smart, has good relations with labor unions, and has ties to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and the Clintons.
Many believe City Council Speaker Christine Quinn is the Democratic frontrunner despite reports that Mayor Mike Bloomberg was secretly trying to get Hillary Clinton to run. At a Tuesday news conference with Quinn by his side, Bloomberg didn't deny the Clinton report but did get annoyed when he was asked about it and praised Quinn.
Engquist said the mayor may be stopping short of endorsing Quinn right now because of what he wants to accomplish in his last year as mayor.
He said Bloomberg still needs leverage over her to pass bills he wants passed and block ones he doesn't. Plus someone better in the business community could pop up and Bloomberg would be likely to support someone the business community wants.
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:10:53 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building, police said. The troubled celebrity is also accused of throwing her "drug paraphernalia"
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building, police said. The troubled celebrity is also accused of throwing her "drug paraphernalia"
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:04 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:04:45 GMT
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Former Rep. Anthony Weiner launched his campaign for mayor of New York City this week, but his website seems to indicate he is running for office in Pittsburgh. The stylized and colorized image used in
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-24 01:49:53 GMT
AP photo
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
President Barack Obama plans to give the Jersey Shore a boost with a post-Memorial Day visit to showcase recovery efforts in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:50 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:50:04 GMT
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Heavy downpours sparked flash flooding across the tristate area on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued numerous weather alerts for many counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:42 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:42:40 GMT
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its animatronics dinosaur exhibit. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals. The ride
The Bronx Zoo has unveiled its exhibit of animatronics. The exhibit, called Dinosaur Safari, is something different from the zoo, which is better known for its exhibits of living animals.
