As Weiner Shrinks, The Big Winner Is Generic Democrat Bill Thompson

[FarCenter]

Since he entered the New York City Mayor's race two months ago, Anthony Weiner has dislodged City Council Speaker Christine Quinn from the lead in the Democratic primary polls.

But if the latest revelations about Weiner's lewd online activity end up derailing his candidacy, the biggest benefactor won't be Quinn, but an opponent with a lower profile: former city Comptroller Bill Thompson.

According to a new Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday, which was mostly conducted before the new scandal broke, Weiner leads the Democratic primary field, with Thompson and Quinn tying for second place and the other candidates far behind.

But in a potential subsequent runoff election, which is required when no primary candidate receives 40% of the vote, Thompson would beat either of his potential opponents. He leads Quinn by a 51-42 margin, and Weiner by 52-41.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/anthony-weiner-carlos-danger-sext-poll-bill-thompson-christine-quinn-2013-7

[msongs]

1. any progressive/liberal candidates or just democratic wannabees... nt

[flamingdem]

2. Lawrence on msnbc just did a segment on this

He thinks the media is being too puritanical, they let Clinton and Guliani get away with more blatant acts.

It's funny but I think it's a matter of .. talent. If Weiner was all that then, well okay, he's given a lot so we'll accept his picadillos, but he doesn't have that much in the bank to ride this one out.

What bothers me in particular is the story broken on Monday about a woman he was going to set up in a condo in Chicago or something. That just seems so subversive to any normal life in the public eye, and of course this woman according to her friend is looking to get some 100 grand for her "story".

This is the kind of trash Weiner is drawing in to powerful circles, kind of a centcom ring to it, and then there's stellar Huma who is getting his campaign funded and doesn't want to lose her race pony. I think she hates his skinny arse and just wants to get something out of the relationship before dumping him.

The whole thing is just a tad too smarmy.

[Nye Bevan]

3. OK. Clinton, maybe, but what did Giuliani do that was "more blatant" than Weiner?

Weiner has pretty much redefined and taken ownership of the word "blatant".

[flamingdem]

4. Think it was letting his wife know they were divorcing at a press conference

something along those lines, and other nutty things, but Weiner is the winner

[Whisp]

7. I think you are right, Wiener just doesn't have anything in the bank to ride this out.

he really has nothing, except his attractive wife, whom he disses.

no charisma, no talent, no work record.
just icky stuff.

[burnodo]

5. As Weiner shrinks

[allin99]

8. I think someone just threw cold water on his campaign. lol.

[allin99]

6. Exactly. Thompson can beat Quinn in a runnoff, easy peasy, and if weiner...

doesn't sink someone makes it to the runoff, we're screwed.

So anyone trying to find a candidate after weiner displayed his canny this week, Thompson is a good choice.