Brian Lehrer

New York, NY —

The Subway Security Threat Announcement came just 1 hour before the mayoral debate at the Apollo Theater Thursday night. Was there a connection? WNYC’s Brian Lehrer tries to connect the dots.

LEHRER: First the full disclosure: WNYC was a media sponsor of the mayoral debate and ...

2005 mayoral candidate debate between Democratic Party candidate Fernando Ferrer and Conservative Party candidate Tom Ognibene at the Apollo Theater.

New York, NY —

The latest debate over the future of Ground Zero revolves around plans for The International Freedom Center, a museum devoted to the idea, the history and the current state of Freedom. WNYC’s Brian Lehrer says what’s at stake is the freedom to think.

LEHRER: Memo to ...

New York, NY —

The second place finisher in the Democratic mayoral primary did something unprecedented in New York politics: Anthony Weiner conceded defeat rather than count the absentee ballots, which could have forced a runoff election against Fernando Ferrer. WNYC’s Brian Lehrer says don’t believe either party’s version ...

New York, NY —

Last Saturday, WNYC’s Brian Lehrer drove the New York State Thruway from Albany to New York, something he’s done many times before. But Brian tells us this time, the trip included something new.

LEHRER: The something new was an Amber Alert. There was a series of ...

New York, NY —

The nomination of John Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court came as a surprise to, of all people, most of the Washington press corps. WNYC’s Brian Lehrer says the nature of the surprise should not be surprising.

BRIAN LEHRER: On a day when Washington was obsessed ...

New York, NY —

Maybe you’ve heard that Democratic mayoral hopeful C. Virginia Fields has been on the defensive over a campaign photo. WNYC’s Brian Lehrer has some thoughts about how that one image fits into the "big picture" of the campaign.

REPORTER: The problem began when someone took two ...

New York, NY —

As we all know, the politics of New York City often boil down to three words: location, location, location. But WNYC’s Brian Lehrer wants to know why it’s the same few locations everyone keeps fighting about.

Brian: Ask any opponent of the West Stadium what the ...

New York, NY —

It’s been an ugly week in the Lower Manhattan redevelopment process, with the Freedom Tower design scuttled by security concerns and finger-pointing over who was to blame.

WNYC’s Brian Lehrer says it’s a new story with some old roots.

In their new book, 102 Minutes: The Fight ...

New York, NY —

We’ve all heard many times this week that one lesson from the Terry Schaivo case is to have a living will or proxy so there is no doubt about your wishes.

But WNYC’s Brian Lehrer warns that’s harder to do in New York than in most ...

New York, NY —

It’s been an eventful and confusing week in the battle over Mayor Bloomberg’s West Side Stadium proposal. WNYC’s Brian Lehrer says like any trip to the ballpark, you can’t tell the players without a scorecard.

Brian:  First the score: champions of the stadium have ...

New York, NY —

Anchor: If the opinion polls are right, John Kerry won all three presidential debates. WNYC’s Brian Lehrer has some thoughts on why, and why so many pundits got it wrong.

Brian: Last week, after the second Bush-Kerry debate, I was invited onto a cable news channel ...

New York, NY —

ANCHOR: Delegates are arriving, New Yorkers are leaving, protests have already begun. WNYC's Brian Lehrer says forget the fear and loathing. This could be one of New York's finest hours.


Brian: Most of the coverage that previewed convention week has been about fear, confrontation ...

New York, NY —

A budget watchdog group in New York City is urging the State Legislature to wait three days before voting once party leaders agree on a new state budget. WNYC's Brian Lehrer says there they go again.

Brian: Yes, there go those so-called watchdog groups again, ...

New York, NY —

The death of Ronald Reagan was the biggest national news story this week, and played to big TV audiences. But WNYC's Brian Lehrer wants to acknowledge those of you who thought you were experiencing an alternate reality.

So let's be honest about this week of wall-to-wall ...

New York, NY —

A Quinnipiac University Poll released last week provided a shock for politics junkies - New Jersey, generally considered a safe state for John Kerry, showed up as a statistical tie between Kerry and President Bush. But WNYC's Brian Lehrer says most experts do not expect ...

The 9/11 Investigative Commission has come and gone from New York City after holding public hearings at The New School.

New York, NY —

After an emotionally wrenching week of news from Iraq and DC, many of you may be experiencing news burnout. WNYC's Brian Lehrer says tune out for a while if you need a break, but there's a line to be wary of crossing.

Tuesday was a day ...

New York, NY —

A once-popular brand of beer is trying to make a comeback in New York City. And they're trying to do it with, of all things, political advertising. But WNYC's Brian Lehrer says don't believe the hype.

Brian: That, believe it or not, is a caller to ...

New York, NY —

This week, Governor Pataki's Commission on Education Reform released its recommendations for offering a sound, basic education to all of New York's schoolchildren. The report is part of the Governor's response to a court ruling that said funding for the New York City public schools ...