While Florida continues to be the center of the political universe, we can seek some refuge knowing that not everything political at home is on hold.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT

Things in Queens heated up as the post election shuffling for next year’s term-limited positions took on a new perspective. Longtime Rockaway Assemblywoman and Democratic District Leader Audrey Pheffer is thinking of tossing her hat into the crowded ring to replace Beep Claire Shulman in the race for Queens’ big prize.

Pheffer, an amiable Assemblywoman, has represented Rockaway, Howard Beach and Ozone Park in Albany since 1987. Her significant other, Glenn Riddell, is the former head of the Supreme Court Officer’s Union and now an Albany lobbyist. He will try to jump-start the fundraising effort while playing catch-up to others in the race.

The Borough President Sweepstakes: (Top, l. to r.) Audrey Pheffer, Sheldon Lefler, Karen Kozlowitz, (bottom, l. to r.) Helen Marshall. Tony Seminerio, Carol Gresser.

Seeking the Democratic nomination, she joins Councilmembers Sheldon Leffler, Karen Kozlowitz, Helen Marshall and former Board of Education Prez Carol Gresser. Assemblyman Anthony Seminerio has also toyed with running.

According to insiders, Kozlowitz, also a longtime Dem District Leader and the hard-working chair of the Council’s Committee on Consumer Affairs, is most threatened by Pheffer‘s candidacy competing for the backing of the Queens Dem Organization. Kozlowitz, who will likely have difficulty raising the necessary bucks to be a front-running contender, is better known in the borough than Pheffer and her Forest Hills district is geographically more favorable for a boroughwide race.

The Internet is alive with humor of the Presidential Election. Pictured are two visual spoofs received about Florida and the National Election. (Top) A ballot where the punchout holes move; (below) a take-off on the well-known computer "Dummies" series.

Marshall, another Dem District Leader and the only minority candidate in the race, is a former Assemblywoman and presently chair of the Council’s Committee on Higher Education. Certainly, as the number of serious white candidates increases, Marshall’s chances to emerge as the choice of the County’s black Democratic leadership and take a hotly contested race improves.

Leffler, an intellectual and Chair of the Council’s Public Safety committee, is in this race to stay. Although considered by many a long shot, Sheldon’s chances may certainly improve if he is the only male in a large handful of female candidates.

Seminerio, a conservative who has talked of getting Republican support, has not been taken seriously. However, in a rather large field of moderate Dems, Seminerio could be a surprise running from the right.

And finally, until now the perceived frontrunner Carol Gresser is off to an early start and leads the field in fundraising. Although a lifelong regular Democrat, Gresser is perceived as the independent candidate in the race. However, she is untested, having never run for public office, although she has dealt impressively with the City fathers while President of the NYC Bd. Of Ed. Her husband Larry, a former Deputy Borough President — three decades ago — adds some family depth to what appears to be a candidacy to contend with.

Although rumors this week have the Queens County Dem organization leaning toward Pheffer, observers note that it is clearly the style and in the best interest of County Chair Tom Manton to let the process run its course. With three Dem District Leaders and a handful of loyal and supportive party members as candidates for the top slot in the borough, an open Primary process could be used to allow local Dem leaders to solidify their clubs behind Council candidates, permitting a variety of choices and alliances for Borough President. With any of a number of outcomes, the Democratic Organization has an ally in Borough Hall.

On the Republican side, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Joel Miele is said to be considering jumping into the race. Councilmembers Al Stabile and Mike Abel have previously expressed their interest. However, in an overwhelming Democratic County, there is no reason not to believe that the winner of the Democratic Primary in September 2001 will become the Borough President in January 2002.

Stay tuned.

SWING

Also disregarding the Florida recount, Council Speaker, Astoria’s Peter Vallone prepares for his 2001 Mayoral run with a birthday party fundraiser Monday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m. at Laura Belle Supper Club in Manhattan. Hosted by Mary Tyler Moore with Bernadette Peters entertaining, the evening is called "Swing" night with Peter Vallone.

HILLARY

So, Jean Carrol of Bayside, fair reader, poet and Hillary basher could not let our verse go unanswered. She now writes:

Okay, gleeful Michael,
Your Hillary did win—
Our long, well-known first lady
Backed by masters of the spin.
Her opponent? That was Lazio,
Whom most folks did not know,
And yet she did not trounce him
For the race was touch and go.
Fact is, the numbers illustrate
Her victory was laced
With votes for Rick that show us
Millions view her with distaste.
P.S. I like you anyway!

                   — Jean Carroll

Dearest Jean,

Your verse, it is amusing —
both clever and quite cute.
But your pleasant poetic spinning
Is politically un-astute.
By a 12 percentage point margin
She beat Rick and the GOP
By any political standards
It is a mandate for Hillary.
To imply it’s a close election
Just to get your side a score
Doesn’t recognize what close is.
Heard of Bush and Gore?
P.S. I like you too!

                    — MS

FLORIDUH!

Sunday, November 19: Another weekend not knowing who won the Presidential election or what I can spin on the weekend that will still be valid on Thursday when the paper hits the street.

We’ve managed to do it the past two weekends.

This time rather than give our spin, we’ll give you our prognostications.

The courts will decide this one. Although the marginally Republican-controlled Congress will posture about their right to seat and recognize electors, their leadership will finally acknowledge that they will not interfere with the legal process of selecting the next President. This may take a couple of weeks and will be due in part to the fact that there will be several defectors in the party insisting that Congress stay out of the process.

That process will be ultimately be decided by the Florida State Supreme Court.

Although challenges will be brought to Federal and ultimately the United States Supreme Court, the nations highest court will either refuse to hear them or assert the fact that the Florida Election Law belongs in Florida State not Federal Court. Only suits under the Constitution or Voting Rights Act — One Man, One Vote type of stuff — have standing in Federal Court. It is the purview of the Florida Courts to decide on their State’s elections.

The Florida Supreme Court is a seven-judge court consisting of judges who are almost entirely Democratic (six Dems and one Independent). However, this independent and respected court is known for decisions based on merit not politics.

Under their direction, all recounts underway will be included in the vote total. All overseas absentee Military ballots will receive great latitude in meeting validity requirements and fewer than originally indicated will be disqualified. All other disputes will be resolved by local election officials or subjected to the appointment of a court master.

The court will meet with both sides and extract commitments to recognize the vote total that will be announced under court supervision and according to Florida Law.

At the end of the day — after you’ve read this column . . . and next week’s column, too — all the votes will be tabulated.

And then, by a number of votes no greater than the number of your fingers and toes, a winner will be announced. The name of the next President of the United States will be a four-letter word. And the other side will gripe and play "what might have been."

And the nation will go on and prosper. And very little will change.

God Bless America.