Barron as Boro Prez: The Implications for Brooklyn?
In the wake of the controversy over his efforts to name a street in Brooklyn after the black activist Sonny Carson, Charles Barron announced yesterday his bid to succeed Marty Markowitz in 2009 as Borough President. “We’ve had a cheerleader. Now we need a real leader in Brooklyn,” quipped the current councilman who represents eastern…
In the wake of the controversy over his efforts to name a street in Brooklyn after the black activist Sonny Carson, Charles Barron announced yesterday his bid to succeed Marty Markowitz in 2009 as Borough President. “We’ve had a cheerleader. Now we need a real leader in Brooklyn,” quipped the current councilman who represents eastern Brooklyn. In addition to his current battle with Christine Quinn over the firing of his aide for making threatening remarks, the former Black Panther has a rather contentious relationship with the NYPD, something political experts point to as a potential hurdle to getting elected. Putting aside the question of electability (The Post cites Bill de Blasio, Domenic Recchia and Yvonne Graham as possible competitors), we’re curious to hear readers’ thoughts about what a Barron borough presidency would mean for Brooklyn—and Brooklyn real estate. Affordable housing and race relations are two of things Barron has already put on the top of his list.
Barron Poised for Historic Run at Brooklyn Boro Prez [NY Daily News]
Charles Barron To Announce Candidacy For Borough President [NY1]
Councilman Barron Eyes Brooklyn Borough Presidency [Gothamist]
Barron in Brooklyn Beep Race [NY Post]
Didn’t one of his aides suggest that another council member be assassinated? Who would vote for someone who condones that kind of behavior?
The only important point is this: there is NO WAY that Charles Barron can score a political victory beyond his little ENY bubble. His base of support is too small and his financial backing is nil.
Plus, his effectiveness is doubtful. Last year he topped the list of council members who missed the most sessions. He’s all about the flash and spends more time trying to get his face on NY1 than he does serving his constituents. He loves to raise his fist and cry racism, but when it comes to genuine solutions, he has nothing substantive to say (naming street signs? yea, that’ll do wonders to improve the quality of life for NY residents of color).
Typical vapid 60s relic.
The comparisons of David Duke to Baron are totally unfair. One worked … actually led… an organization that kills and terrorizes people. Baron has said he’s not crazy about white people… but has he ever been part of an org that killed them, terrorized them? I’m not praising or advocating for Baron, nor calling him a good guy that the boro should rally around… merely saying that this is an unfair and inaccurate comparison that I’ve heard made before on these boards.
And remember, white people DID elect Duke to the Louisiana House of Representatives, a more powerful position that Boro Prez.
Disclaimer: I know almost nothing about Charles Barron. But, everything I’ve heard so far is a big turn off. We don’t need this kind of rabble rouser to represent BK.
and i was worried he was going to run for something he might actually win –
what a relief this news is.
After all these years with Marty Markowitz, even Charles Barron looks good now.
I know you wrote, “Putting aside the question of electability,” but is there really any point in talking about “a Barron borough presidency” if there is NO chance of it occurring? Very, very few whites will vote for Barron and a great many blacks won’t either.
Only if David Duke represents Harlem
Scary thought.