Where Politicians Find NYC Bread

A Manhattan Upper East Side zip code, formerly 10021 (now 10021, 10065 & 10075), gives the most money to politicians and into political coffers. In this blue city, most donations wind up with Democrats, not Republicans. Over the last two years in fact, the NYC metro area raised $144.6 million compared to Washington D.C., $121 million and Los Angeles in third place with $73 million. New York City. It's quite a place for politicians to find bread for all the baloney they serve us during election seasons.

NYC Is ATM For Politicians

In this year’s presidential race, 17 of the top 100 donors live in New York City. Each contributed $150,000 or more to races and party committees. 13 of the 17 are listed as decisively Democrat. The Big Apple has always been where the big bucks are. Smart politicians know how to rub elbows with the rich and leave with more than a souvenir t-shirt.

And May The Best Person Win

Stephen Hess, a prominent presidential scholar, is advising New York's Mayor Bloomberg not to enter the 2008 presidential race to the White House. It seems that while Hess easily heaps praise on Bloomberg for his accomplishments and what he might do in the White House, he’s worried about him running. Hess said, “He can’t win, but he could very likely defeat the Democratic nominee.”

Mr. Hess is a political junkie who served in the Eisenhower administration and advised many other politicians along the way. His statement raises a question. Is not the presidential race supposedly open to all qualified individuals to make their best case before the American people, leaving it up to them to decide who the best choice for President is … regardless of who doesn’t win? It seems that his one-sided concern for Democrats is both politically biased and opposed to any legitimate third party candidate for fear it may harm the status quo of the strongly entrenched two-party system. Ross Perot’s weak presidential bid in 1992 nevertheless garnered 19% of the vote. This proved that the American public is very open to consider options other than Republican or Democrat. By the way, most analysts believe Perot’s candidacy stole votes from the Republican slate, not the Democratic one. I’m curious if Mr. Hess prior to 1992 advised Perot not to run for fear of defeating Mr. Bush, the Republican entrant.

I believe many Americans would vote for an overwhelmingly best-qualified candidate regardless of party. Perhaps Mr. Hess, you too should consider supporting a candidate who is best for America … not best for a particular party. I invite Mr. Hess to tell us if our city's Mayor enters the race, who then, in his expert opinion, is the best individual to lead Americans of all parties.