Anthony Weiner’s mayoral rivals don’t want voters to forget about his sexting scandal, and several even greeted his candidacy with some hard-edged humor.
“If he can penetrate the [Democratic] field, I’ll be ready for him in November,” chuckled Independence Party candidate Adolfo Carrión.
Democrat Sal Albanese drew laughter at a Crain’s forum in Midtown when he called Weiner just another career politician with “some additional quirks, of course.”
“He’s very glib. He’d be a great talk-show host,” Albanese said later.
Republican George McDonald demanded that Weiner, who has more than $4 million in his campaign account, forgo an extra $1.5 million in public matching funds.
“If Anthony Weiner wants to regain the trust of New Yorkers and redeem his bizarre and deviant behavior, he should start by putting his money where his mouth is and leave the taxpayers’ money alone,” urged McDonald, who tried unsuccessfully to challenge the program’s contribution limits.
Even embattled city Comptroller John Liu, whose campaign is embroiled in a fund-raising scandal, couldn’t resist a dig.
“Honestly, I won’t be voting for him,” Liu said, adding that “any issue is fair game.”
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, former Comptroller Bill Thompson and Public Advocate Bill de Blasio all reacted to Weiner’s candidacy by bolting to very safe political territory. Asked if Weiner was qualified to be mayor, they said they would leave it to the voters.
Republican Joe Lhota wouldn’t comment, while fellow GOPer John Catsimatidis said he wouldn’t allow any of the Democrats — including Weiner — tto run one of his companies.
Some analysts believe Thompson, the only African-American candidate, will be the biggest beneficiary of the expanded field.
A Quinnipiac University poll yesterday indicated Weiner has his work cut out for him. He was at 15 percent in the head-to-head matchups, second to Quinn. But voters — by 49 percent to 38 percent — said he shouldn’t be running.