Songs in the Key of Politics - New York Times
September 10, 2005
Songs in the Key of Politics
By CAROLYN CURIEL
It was a crowded room and the candidate for City Council was given just a few minutes to work it. "They say we're young and we don't know, won't find out until we grow," his message began.
"I got you babe," he concluded.
The under-40 crowd, packed tank top to untucked shirt into a converted storefront in the garment district of Manhattan, was appreciative. The hopeful, Eric Cesnik, wants to represent the Upper East Side. But before he could stump, and then only briefly, he had to sing, which he did, playing Sonny to a campaign staff member's Cher.
Is there anything a candidate in a crowded election field will not do to get votes? Undoubtedly, but in New York City during the run-up to Tuesday's primaries, the bar is certainly way lower than singing in a club. At the recent "mayoroke" night, none of the actual candidates in the Democratic mayoral primary showed up. Gifford Miller, the City Council speaker - and a self-styled crooner who breaks into "Young at Heart" before senior citizens - was particularly missed.
Other contenders proved gamer, with audience members serving as warm-up acts. Some plodded through, others performed with abandon. The evening's organizer was Drinking Liberally, a Web group that says it promotes democracy "one pint at a time."
Two candidates for Manhattan borough president, Carlos Manzano and Scott Stringer, were on the bill. Mr. Manzano charmed the crowd with a rendition of "I Need You Tonight." Mr. Stringer, claiming laryngitis, was given a pass. An aide to another candidate, Bill Perkins, paced outside, volunteering that if Mr. Perkins had shown up, he certainly would have sung "I'll Take Manhattan."
The spontaneous environment offered an oasis in an otherwise dry campaign. It called to mind how rarely candidates step out of their straitjackets of caution and away from the tinny slogans made for them.
David Alpert, one organizer, is already coming up with other ways to pry politicians from their comfort zones. He may want to consider a true test of who knows how to lead: "Dancing With the Candidates."
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Songs in the Key of Politics
By CAROLYN CURIEL
It was a crowded room and the candidate for City Council was given just a few minutes to work it. "They say we're young and we don't know, won't find out until we grow," his message began.
"I got you babe," he concluded.
The under-40 crowd, packed tank top to untucked shirt into a converted storefront in the garment district of Manhattan, was appreciative. The hopeful, Eric Cesnik, wants to represent the Upper East Side. But before he could stump, and then only briefly, he had to sing, which he did, playing Sonny to a campaign staff member's Cher.
Is there anything a candidate in a crowded election field will not do to get votes? Undoubtedly, but in New York City during the run-up to Tuesday's primaries, the bar is certainly way lower than singing in a club. At the recent "mayoroke" night, none of the actual candidates in the Democratic mayoral primary showed up. Gifford Miller, the City Council speaker - and a self-styled crooner who breaks into "Young at Heart" before senior citizens - was particularly missed.
Other contenders proved gamer, with audience members serving as warm-up acts. Some plodded through, others performed with abandon. The evening's organizer was Drinking Liberally, a Web group that says it promotes democracy "one pint at a time."
Two candidates for Manhattan borough president, Carlos Manzano and Scott Stringer, were on the bill. Mr. Manzano charmed the crowd with a rendition of "I Need You Tonight." Mr. Stringer, claiming laryngitis, was given a pass. An aide to another candidate, Bill Perkins, paced outside, volunteering that if Mr. Perkins had shown up, he certainly would have sung "I'll Take Manhattan."
The spontaneous environment offered an oasis in an otherwise dry campaign. It called to mind how rarely candidates step out of their straitjackets of caution and away from the tinny slogans made for them.
David Alpert, one organizer, is already coming up with other ways to pry politicians from their comfort zones. He may want to consider a true test of who knows how to lead: "Dancing With the Candidates."
Link to Article Source
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on Monday, September 12, 2005 at 11:01.
