Weiner: The Times Has Become 'Tabloid-y'
The New York Times has been hard on Anthony Weiner recently, and he thinks that's a reflection of how the paper has changed.
This morning, The Times ran a story about the departure of yet another staff member from the congressman's office, and that was a follow-up to a July 23 front-page story about his high staff turnover.
(Also, last week, one of his likely mayoral rivals, Christine Quinn, got a more favorable profile.)
I saw Weiner this morning near Brooklyn Borough Hall, where he was handing out campaign literature with State Senate candidate Dan Squadron, and asked him about this theme.
The Times is making its "own theme,” Weiner said.
“People can cover this campaign any way they want," he went on. "But on the same day they did a story on my staff, they didn’t do a story about my speech at Crain's where I rolled out--I thought--a thoughtful plan on how to preserve middle-class jobs in New York City.”
He doesn't think the paper is covering the issues he's speaking about.
“Look, The Times has become more and more tabloid-y," he told me. "They have to make the decisions on how they chose to cover these races.”
Asked if they are on to something about his management skills, Weiner said no.
“Even the people that The New York Times finds--who seem to be disgruntled--even they say they want me to be mayor."
UPDATE: A reader points out that the Times did, in fact, cover Weiner's appearance at the Crain's breakfast.
Would you work for a guy whose name is Weiner - actually his name fits him well! He has very high aspirations to become Mayor...he has a weiner of a chance! Not that Ms. Quinn is totally clean with her slush fund. Wow - these democrats are really doing a number on us - nationally, state and city-wide. I wish people would wake up and kick them out before they destroy us.
How could he be that bad?
He dates really hot women.
He's hard working, young, filled with ideas and dying to make it all happen yesterday.
He knows what's best for the people because he's the legislator.
So what if he has a temper and yells and goes through staff like Rolaids at an all you can eat Mexican restaurant?
Maybe his staff couldn't meet his expectations.
Right. Huberis and arrogance. It's this nonsense "elitism" right out of the typical Democratic school of noblesse oblige. "I'm young, I'm blessed with brains, family and home. I know what's better for you better than you do."
If I didn't know any better, I'd say he's well on his way to becoming just like John Edwards or Vito Fossella- polished, pretty, articulate and iconic but deep down inside, when the camera is off, something entirely different.
He may be the most tolerable candidate for Mayor but it's certainly not because of his management skills- the declared field is just so abominable.