Mayoral Hopeful, an Earmark Critic, Has His Own (NYC Congressman Anthony D. Weiner)

NY Times ^ | May 17, 2008 | RAYMOND HERNANDEZ

[neverdem]

There is no doubt that Anthony D. Weiner wants to be mayor of New York. And there is no doubt, to that end, that he has seen an opening to wound a rival: criticizing Christine C. Quinn and the City Council he once was a member of for doling out money to favored groups in their districts.

“We should get rid of earmarks altogether, get rid of these member items altogether,” Mr. Weiner said last week, saying such a move would “restore public confidence” in government.

Of course, as a congressman, Mr. Weiner has his own earmarked funds to spread around his district — and he has shown a willingness to do so.

In recent years, Mr. Weiner has sponsored at least 40 earmarks, including appropriations of roughly $235,000 to fight beach erosion in the Rockaways and $3.7 million to restore a salt marsh in Brooklyn. The congressman has also directed nearly $450,000 to Agudath Israel, a national Orthodox Jewish umbrella organization that plays a significant role in city elections.

The total amount of money Mr. Weiner has secured is difficult to tally because until a rule change last year, members were not required to attach their names to such line items...

--snip--

The project sponsored by Mr. Weiner that drew criticism was a $4.8 million item slipped into a military spending bill to make improvements at the Gateway National Recreation Area’s Ryan Visitor Center in Queens. Citizens Against Government Waste placed it in its annual Pig Book.

Thomas A. Schatz, the group’s president, said the project had no business being in a military spending bill. “I grew up on Long Island, and I know what the Gateway National Recreation Area looks like,” he said. “And it is not on the front line of the defense of the United States.”...

[neverdem]

He took Schumer's seat in the House.

Brendan Hoffman for The New York Times
Representative Anthony D. Weiner, a likely mayoral candidate, has criticized the City Council for its murky accounting.

[pnh102]

There’s a name that will strike fear into the hearts of criminals.

[STARWISE]

And ....

He's also pretty chummy for awhile now with Hillary's "body person," Huma Abedin.

"May 16, 2008 -- HUMA Abedin, Hillary Clinton's aide and shadow, dining à deux with Rep. Anthony Weiner at Almoncello in East Hampton . . ."

April 08, 2008 - Huma and Weiner still going strong

HRC's right-hand lady and Vogue Top 10 dressed gal, Huma Abedin, and Rep. Anthony Weiner — who have caused much speculation in regard to their relationship — spotted together taking in Gov. David Paterson's inaugural last month.

[Free ThinkerNY]

Congressman Weiner travels in style