• Weiner is number two in the polls now (a late surge), and it looks like he will deny Fernando Ferrer the 40% he needs to win the Democratic nomination outright.  Therefore, in a few weeks we ought to be treated to a runoff vote between Ferrer and Weiner.  I think that a lot of people think Ferrer is too old-school and tired to do anything interested vs. Bloomberg.  There is an outside chance that Weiner could end up beating Ferrer and setting up a show down with hizzona himself.

• In a very, very crowded field, I went with Scott Stringer because he seems to have the most experience (up in Albany) and a committment to work on skyrocketing rents and other housing issues in Manhattan.  He has also offered more concrete ideas than other candidates.  Winner takes all here, no runoff. 

• Despite virtually every big name NY Democrat endorsing Robert Mogenthau for his bazillionth term as Manhattan DA, Leslie Crocker Snyder decided to challenge him.  At first, she seemed a bit abrasive, but then I thought about it, and how the hell do you take on such a long-term incumbent without being abrasive?  I also met her on the street in Chelsea one hot, humid afternoon -- it impressed me simply that she was there.  Not sure if she has a chance, but much respect for trying. 

• Cool ads? Got me to notice him at least.  But his plan for free wi-fi everywhere in NYC is worth a vote, at least.

In such a Dem-heavy city, usually the winner of the Democratic primary has only token Republican opposition in November, so today is the big day.  The exception here is the mayoral race, of course, and whoever wins today or in the runoff can expect to get slaughtered by tens of millions of dollars of Bloomberg's own money. 

¶ 9:43 AM