Charles Barron, Divisive Councilman, Endorses Liu

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 12:48 pm | 2 Minute Read

By Yochonon Donn

Charles Barron was crushed in his congressional race last year after his divisive history of anti-Semitism and black supremacy was played out, but that did not stop City Comptroller John Liu from accepting his backing in the Democratic primary race to lead New York City.

“I worked closely with Charles in the City Council,” Liu said, according to Politicker. “The answer is yes, I would happily accept his endorsement.”

Liu said that the appearance by Barron, a city councilman from south Brooklyn, at his campaign launch Sunday came as a “surprise,” as did his endorsement.

“I think he brings energy,” Barron said. “I think he brings real commitment to working class families. … I think he’ll be the best candidate.”

Barron, who lost a primary last year to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) following a full court press in which the national Democratic establishment mobilized to defeat him, has a long history of comparing Israelis to Nazis, and that all whites are guilty of slavery.

Asked if he considered endorsing Christine Quinn, speaker of the city council where he is a member, Barron made no secret of his disdain for her.

“Who? Who?” he said. “I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

Liu, who is trying to become the city’s first Asian mayor, insisted that his low standing in the polls, as well as a federal investigation into his campaign finance, does not count him out.

“I wouldn’t be running — it’s way too much time and money to throw down the drain — if there was not a clear shot to victory,” Liu told Politicker. “I think we have a very clear path to victory. In the coming months, I’m sure you political geniuses will decide for it for yourselves. I don’t quite feel like mapping it out right now.”

But laying out his strategy anyhow, Liu claimed that the polls undercount Asian voters.

“You also think, ‘Do the people who are making those phone calls know how to ask questions in Chinese? Or Bengali? Or Korean? Or Urdu?” he questioned. “I don’t know for a fact; my guess is no.”

Asked if he was “cautiously optimistic” of his chances — he declared the second largest funding intake in the current cycle — Liu answered with indignation.

“I’m very optimistic, I’m not cautiously optimistic,” he said. “‘Cautiously optimistic’ is an answer you get from somebody who really doesn’t want to answer the question.”

This article appeared in print on page 1 of the March 19th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.