Weiner Slammed By Green Party Candidate Over 1991 Racial Mailer

[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

Anthony Weiner got grilled last night in Staten Island by two long shot mayoral candidates.

Former councilman Sal Albanese repeatedly criticized Mr. Weiner for his congressional vote authorizing �the invasion of Iraq,� during a Staten Island candidates� forum hosted by the Pleasant Plains, Prince�s Bay and Richmond Valley Civic Association, while a new candidate on the stage took aim at his 1991 council run.

�Anthony voted for the invasion of Iraq, which cost us a billion dollars,� Mr. Albanese charged during an answer over transit funding. �We have this problem in urban centers across America; we can�t fund our transit system. Let�s take care of America, let�s not get involved in unnecessary skirmishes.�

Mr. Weiner discarded the charge with a sarcastic tone. �Notwithstanding the critique, I won�t rule out as mayor invading Yonkers. I want you to know I keep that possibility at my disposal,� he joked.

Green Party candidate Tony Gronowicz, who ran for mayor in 2005, slammed the Democratic Party affiliated candidates for its 29 council members voting in favor of extending Mike Bloomberg�s term as mayor while the 5 Republicans opposed it. John Liu interrupted saying he didn�t vote in favor, while Mr. Weiner added that �no Green Party� Council member had voted that way.

That was a little too much for Mr. Gronowicz to digest. �I�m going to point out something that has nothing to do with your anatomy, I�m going to point out something that has to do with your record,� an agitated Mr. Gronowicz took aim at Mr. Weiner , reminding the audience of the racial mailers he sent out during his first City Council run. �Back in 1991, he was a long-shot candidate in a Jewish district in Brooklyn and he ran a race-baiting campaign that the Times attacked because he won.�

�He was accused of being coarse, and his recent behavior is also very coarse. I would not have said anything but he dared to interrupt me. No other candidates interrupted anyone else� Mr. Gronowicz added.

Public advocate candidate Letitia James, who was invited to address the audience immediately after Mr. Gronowicz, came to aid of Anthony Weiner. �Mr. Weiner didn�t interrupt you, he was just talking to the comptroller of the City of New York,� Ms. James said. �It was not his intent.�

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)