Statement of Congressman Anthony Weiner
Remarks by Anthony Weiner at Park Slope, Brooklyn on September 14, 2005
STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN ANTHONY WEINER
New York – Today, Congressman Anthony Weiner released the following statement:
“We started with a commitment: to fight for hard working New Yorkers. We believed Democratic values needed to be renewed with new ideas. To offer ideas of relevance to middle class people and those struggling to make it.
“We talked about real problems and real solutions. 1.8 million people without health insurance in New York City -- and plans to help small business expand coverage. And people joined us. We talked about how hard it is to afford this city. And the need for fairer taxes middle class people pay 10 percent less in taxes, and the very wealthy pay a little more. And people joined us.
“And we talked about schools. That teachers need to be paid better and principals need authority to bring discipline.
“And our movement grew more. We've started something that will be good for our party, and more importantly will offer real solutions that are relevant to hard working New Yorkers.
“I generally believe in the run off system. But this year is unusual -- the winner of a run off will face a Republican mayor who supports George Bush, and a Republican mayor who has shown he will spend any amount to win. To succeed, we need focus and unity and a chance to make our case against him.
“Freddy Ferrer is a good man. We both want to fight for hard working New Yorkers. We may have some differences in approach, but they are very small compared with our differences with Republican Mike Bloomberg. A man who urged New Yorkers to vote for George Bush and a Republican party whose economic policy leaves hard working people behind.
“I want to be clear. I am proud to support Freddy Ferrer. He will be a great mayor. He will serve two terms. He has the record, he has the brains, he has the commitment, he has the understanding to not only run circles around Republican Mike Bloomberg, but to lift up our City.
“Nationally and locally, Democratic success depends on ideas, and unity.
“There is a time for campaigning, and there is a time for coming together for hard working people. This is a time to put aside my run off and step aside so Freddy Ferrer -- with his long record of service and commitment to all New Yorkers -- can quickly begin to make his case against Republican Mike Bloomberg.
“I will always continue to fight for hard working New Yorkers. And am grateful to all the people who stood with me. Some will agree with this decision, others will not.
“It is my decision. No deals, no understandings. And it was a difficult decision. It’s in my DNA to keep fighting. But I believe it is the right thing to do.
“Tomorrow, I will stand with Freddy Ferrer and say I am proud to support him. He has the right heart, good ideas, and a record of service to the whole City.
“I want to thank everyone who has stood with me, everyone who worked and believed in this campaign.
“Thank you.”
New York – Today, Congressman Anthony Weiner released the following statement:
“We started with a commitment: to fight for hard working New Yorkers. We believed Democratic values needed to be renewed with new ideas. To offer ideas of relevance to middle class people and those struggling to make it.
“We talked about real problems and real solutions. 1.8 million people without health insurance in New York City -- and plans to help small business expand coverage. And people joined us. We talked about how hard it is to afford this city. And the need for fairer taxes middle class people pay 10 percent less in taxes, and the very wealthy pay a little more. And people joined us.
“And we talked about schools. That teachers need to be paid better and principals need authority to bring discipline.
“And our movement grew more. We've started something that will be good for our party, and more importantly will offer real solutions that are relevant to hard working New Yorkers.
“I generally believe in the run off system. But this year is unusual -- the winner of a run off will face a Republican mayor who supports George Bush, and a Republican mayor who has shown he will spend any amount to win. To succeed, we need focus and unity and a chance to make our case against him.
“Freddy Ferrer is a good man. We both want to fight for hard working New Yorkers. We may have some differences in approach, but they are very small compared with our differences with Republican Mike Bloomberg. A man who urged New Yorkers to vote for George Bush and a Republican party whose economic policy leaves hard working people behind.
“I want to be clear. I am proud to support Freddy Ferrer. He will be a great mayor. He will serve two terms. He has the record, he has the brains, he has the commitment, he has the understanding to not only run circles around Republican Mike Bloomberg, but to lift up our City.
“Nationally and locally, Democratic success depends on ideas, and unity.
“There is a time for campaigning, and there is a time for coming together for hard working people. This is a time to put aside my run off and step aside so Freddy Ferrer -- with his long record of service and commitment to all New Yorkers -- can quickly begin to make his case against Republican Mike Bloomberg.
“I will always continue to fight for hard working New Yorkers. And am grateful to all the people who stood with me. Some will agree with this decision, others will not.
“It is my decision. No deals, no understandings. And it was a difficult decision. It’s in my DNA to keep fighting. But I believe it is the right thing to do.
“Tomorrow, I will stand with Freddy Ferrer and say I am proud to support him. He has the right heart, good ideas, and a record of service to the whole City.
“I want to thank everyone who has stood with me, everyone who worked and believed in this campaign.
“Thank you.”
