Anna Sale

It's A Free Country political reporter Anna Sale weighs in on the resignation of Anthony Weiner and what comes next, from special elections to redistricting battles.

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The political jockeying has begun to fill the Congressional seat vacated by Anthony Weiner in New York’s Ninth Congressional District.

A mixture of cheers and jeers followed seven-term New York Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner's announcement Thursday that he would be resigning from public office. Weiner apologized to his constituents and to his wife for the sexting scandal, in which he admitted to sending lewd messages and photos to at least six women. Weiner was one of the more outspokenly liberal members of the House – and his 9th District that has been a Democratic stronghold for decades. Will his successor's replacement change the political spectrum or become a referendum on President Obama's politics, as a litmus test for 2012?

For the second time in six months, New York party officials will be scrambling scramble to settle on candidates for a special election.

Rep. Anthony Weiner announced his resignation from Congress on Thursday, 10 days after he first admitted he had sexually charged online relationships with several women: "Today, I a...

WNYC and It's a Free Country reporter Anna Sale reports on the news that Rep. Anthony Weiner will step down in the wake of a "sexting" scandal, in which the Congressman sent lewd photographs to women via Facebook and Twitter.

As lawmakers in Albany debate whether New York will become the second state to legalize gay marriage by legislative action, President Barack Obama's reelection campaign is planning a major LGBT fundraising gala in New York City. 

Obama is set to speak at the June 23 event, timed to coincide with New York Pride.

Tickets for the gala at the Sheraton in Manhattan range from $1,250 for a ticket to the dinner up to $35,800, which covers dinner for two and a photo with Obama.

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After months of spring games and fan meet-and-greets, today is Opening Day in New Hampshire. Seven Republican contenders are facing off tonight in the first primary debate in this first primary state.

And in case you’ve been distracted by contests that are actually consequential at this point, like the Sox and the Yankees for example, here’s a guide to the curveballs CNN’s John King is likely to throw out.

 

 

I know Congressman Weiner, I wish i could defend him. But I can't. -Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, on embattled Congressman Anthony Weiner.  

A new ad on New Hampshire television this week starring former New York Governor George Pataki is stoking renewed speculation that he may not sit 2012 out after all. The ad is narrated by Pataki and is ostensibly about federal debt. It begins with a pointed critique of Obama, and concludes with Pataki appealing directly to the view. “Join us,” he says. “You know we can do the right thing.”

As former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney begins the official portion of his campaign for the presidency, he is sure to draw the most attention in national headlines – particularly...

Word is that Dennis Kucinich is on the hunt for a new political home. The Ohio Congressman’s losing his seat to redistricting, and rather than run head-to-head with a neighboring representative, he’s considering flexing his national celebrity across the country from Cleveland in a Congressional district in Washington State.

Democrat Kathy Hochul will be representing New York’s 26th congressional district in Congress. The Erie County clerk won in a special election Tuesday defeating Assemblywoman Jane Corwin (R) and businessman Jack Davis, who was running under the banner of the Tea Party. New York's 26th District — formerly represented by Rep. Chris Lee (R), who resigned after a shirtless picture appeared on the Internet — is economically struggling, and has an older electorate than the national average. Democrats have called the election a "referendum" on Paul Ryan's plan to reform Medicare.

"The truth is our country's in big trouble," former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty said in a preview video released in advance of his Iowa speech today, before he unleashed on the incumbent.

For district voters, the question isn’t whether a party, Pelosi or Paul is better for this district. They’re yearning for something more simple and much more difficult: who can st...

Anna Sale, It's A Free Country political reporter, discusses the contentious special election in NY's 26th district.

Newark Mayor Cory Booker said he absolutely feels "in the right place at the right time doing the right thing," but that doesn't mean he's not wondering about what might come next when his second term comes to an end.

Speaking to WNYC on Monday, he said he hasn't ruled out running for a third term, particularly if his school reform agenda is getting traction, but he noted that he knows political success can be hard to sustain past the eight year mark. 

"If I stayed in politics there’s only two other seats in New Jersey," he said. "That’s governor and senator."

This special election comes after Rep. Chris Lee (R-NY26) resigned in January after Gawker published shirtless photos that he'd sent in response to a Craigslist ad (while being married). The district has not had a representative in Congress during the pitched budget battles of the last several months, including for the vote on Paul Ryan’s budget.

But the May 24 special election has brought the raging Washington budget debates home to Western New York. As it’s gotten closer, it’s gotten meaner, with everyone from Karl Rove to Carl Paladino to Chuck Schumer entering the fray. 

Ron Paul declared his candidacy for president for the third time on Friday, "because the time has come around to the point where the people are agreeing with much of what I've been saying for thirty years, so I think the time is right."

He told George Stephanopolus on ABC's Good Morning America that he's running as a Republican, not as an independent, because it "is just about impossible" to get traction and media attention outside the party system unless "you're a billionaire like Ross Perot." 

"If I was an independent, George, you would not have me on this program this morning," Paul said. "There's nothing wrong with nudging the Republicans to a true constitutional position, stick to their guns on fiscal conservatism." 

Home to both Michelle Bachmann and Al Franken, Minnesota is caught in a battle for its political soul. During his eight years in the governor's office, Tim Pawlenty was on the front lines. Now, as he runs on that record in his quest for the presidency, he's presenting himself as the Great Red Hope from a Blue State.