Weiner proves to be a mensch

[BurtWorm]

Anthony Weiner, the Dem Congressman from Queens, threatened former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer in the last weeks of the NYC Democratic mayoral primary, but not enough to really deserve a run-off, which happens when the leader fails to reach the magic 40% threshhold. Ferrer missed that threshhold, apparently, by a hair.


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/14/nyregion/metrocampaigns/14cnd-elec.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

Weiner Concedes to Ferrer in Race to Challenge Bloomberg
By PATRICK D. HEALY

...

"We must start getting behind Freddy Ferrer right away," he said, "if we are to beat a Republican like Mayor Bloomberg." He called his concession "the right thing to do."

According to preliminary, unofficial results Tuesday night, Mr. Ferrer held a strong lead over Mr. Weiner, who rode an anti-establishment political message out of last place in a four-way race in just the last few weeks.

But unofficial results showed that Mr. Ferrer captured 39.949 percent of the vote, just short of the 40 percent needed to avoid a runoff on Sept 27. It was unclear early this afternoon whether a runoff would still be required by law even though Mr. Weiner has said he does not want to participate in one.