Saturday, June 23, 2018

What happened to the once-upon-a-time fairy tale "Fusion Club" of Brooklyn and Queens ???


It once was a so-called "nonpartisan" political club that united a handful outer-borough Republicans with some of their Democrat counterparts,  and its members included a bunch of folks who had jobs in various city & state agencies, and/or the courts;  however, it disappeared years ago and is now virtually forgotten


The Republican names were Queens guys like John  Haggerty, Bart Haggerty and Joe Kasper, and GOP Brooklynites included Marty Golden,  and Democrats-turned-Republicans Joe and Ann English;  among the notable Democrats often associated with the club were Queens powerhouses like Melinda Katz and Alan Hevesi 


The meetings' venues generally alternated between spots like the Bay Ridge Manor in Brooklyn and various Queens restaurants and halls in Ozone Park, Richmond Hill  and Woodhaven



The reason I thought about this particular "in the day" political hybrid is that some folks seem to be talking about reviving it  ---  or something very close to it in 2018.   Except that  ---  this time I don't think Brooklyn GOPer Marty Golden will have the inside track, either when it comes to the politics or the catering.

68 comments:

Anonymous said...

Been working in the GOP a long time, never heard of this group. Given its members -- the Haggertys, Golden et al ... I'm glad I was never invited.

I guess David Berkowitz and George Metasky were otherwise occupied and unavailable.

Anonymous said...

Oh stop. David Berkowitz would never join a club where Marty and the Haggertys were members.

Anonymous said...

That was the LBCS Melinda Katz, back when she was being mentored by Hevesi and they were the local Queens rags' flavor of the month scandal (btw, 'LBCS' means 'long before Curtis Sliwa').

Anonymous said...

This was a shakedown operation that had more fund raisers and awards dinners than it did regular meetings.

Anonymous said...

Gail, I hope you do a follow up on this post, because I'm pretty sure nobody knows what you are getting at.
I think that I do because I'm inside your brain; and if it's what I think it is,
because you told me about it almost a week ago.

Anonymous said...

The cast of characters involved are either dead or in prison.

Anonymous said...

I remember the fusion club. A motley crew put together to elect Alan Hevesi for Mayor.

Anonymous said...

does motley crew mean they drank beer and passed out on the subway?

Anonymous said...

Does motley crew mean they got drunk, pissed on councilman Eric Ulrich' s carpet in his office and got fired from that job?

Anonymous said...

Did anyone see photos Dan Donovan put on social media today of him in Brooklyn campaigning ..Quaglione referred to as a nameless "volunteer ".

Poor guy. At lease McCabe is known as the guy running Grimm's bklyn campaign...even Capano was on stage with Donovan at his tally made weekend along with elected officials ..

Q a "volunteer"...poor guy

Anonymous said...

Except Liam isn’t REALLY running Grimm’s Brooklyn campaign.........

Anonymous said...

Liam is in charge..just open your eyes.

Anonymous said...

Everyone can agree that Donovan will lose. But look at Brooklyns tally. Grimm will trounce him 3 to 1

Anonymous said...

A vote for donovan is a vote for long/Kassar

Anonymous said...

A vote for Grimm is a vote for liam

Anonymous said...

A vote for Grimm sends a message to the justice department political operatives who tried to bury grimm that it all backfired. Donovan has done grimms campaigning for him.

Anonymous said...

I feel bad for John Q, he gets no respect from any one..he's referred to as just a volunteer with Donovan , Ghorra blows him off for GOP county leadership positions for Liam and his loyalists, and even his job answering phone calls for Marty will end after this election ..

Anonymous said...

After Tuesday, Liam is the heir apparent to lead the Brooklyn GOP and run for council in 2021.

Quaglione is out and done..

Anonymous said...

Liam Mc, Bob C and John Q all repositioned themselves following the 2017 City Council contest, ultimately won by Justin B.
Everybody involved started with their own unique and convenient analyses of what happened to them in 2017; then each did their own individual repositioning (with some necessarily new interpersonal elements) based on their newly adopted views on the obviously changed political landscape coming out of the 2017 race(s); and now all are trying to navigate on their newly charted courses.
At this stage, Justin, Liam and Bob appear to be more politically active than John.
S, if the measure is political significance, then by any rational analysis Justin is way ahead of this pack (but he always was). The other three have bounced back in very different ways, with Bob and Liam more visibly active than John.
If the measure is success in 2018, it will take until after November to see which of these guys has the lead. The safest and smartest bet would be on Justin; but the go-fer-broke flyer on Liam could be more interesting.

Anonymous said...

728am
Good analysis..
One adjustment , it may not take until after November. I think on Tuesday if Grimm wins primary, that puts Liam up, if Donovan wins Tuesday, that puts Liam out, and Capano up as he has been one of the most outspoken Donovan Brooklyn supporters..

Anonymous said...

7:32, 2018 has too many moving parts to decide a winner in June. Well after November is the time to do it, because, whether Donovan, Grimm or Rose actually becomes Congressman after 2018, nobody knows how their gratitude, largess and influence will actually be doled out to their faithful retainers, including the guys that ran for city council in 2017.

Anonymous said...

I do hear John Q has taken a turn for the worse since his loss...still very bitter, isolating self, realizing his own Political future is over, and knows his time with Golden (his only employer) ends this year or for sure in 2 years and he has no transferable skills..

Anonymous said...

good point 8:18

maybe bob can teach Q how to bag groceries

Anonymous said...

903
Maybe Bob can teach Q how to be a party CHAIRMAN and be on stage with Dan Donovan, Rudy Giuliani and other electeds, teach Q how to be in the local papers Every week with a column, work for a billionaire, manage over 100 employees, and teach college classes..
Ahahahahaha

Galewyn Massey said...

RESPONSE: THE "HEY, FOLKS, IT'S SUNDAY --- GIVE IT A BREAK !!!!!" EDITION

TO SOME OF THE OBVIOUS KNUCKLEHEADS COMMENTING HEREINABOVE

PLEASE, TAKE HEED OF GEORGE HERBERT --- "LIVING WELL IS THE BEST REVENGE"..... AMONG THE FINE YOUNG MEN, BOB CAPANO, LIAM MCCABE AND JOHN QUAGLIONE, WHO DO YOU THINK IS MOST/BEST ON THEIR WAY TO THEIR "...BEST REVENGE"


Maybe, it's JQ...........

Anonymous said...

GM has noticed and rightly pointed out that local Brooklyn GOP politics is a lot more complicated than may seem. John Q and a few others do have a huge stake in Donovan winning the Primary on Tuesday. There is one big difference that so far hasn’t been pointed out, no matter what happened on Tuesday even if Donovan loses, Q and others live to fight another day. On the other hand if Grimm loses, Liam and Ted are done literally the next day. Golden will be immediately interviewing candidates for Chair and even Kassar won’t be able to save Liam who has gone all scorched earth against Donovan.

Anonymous said...

2018 is Liams revenge

2020 is Liams victory

Anonymous said...

Chairman Ghorra will win, and will easily beat any successes Eaton had, with Liam.

Anonymous said...

Brooklyn Donovan supporters will live to fight another day if Donovan loses, on the other hand if Grimm loses Ghorra and McCabe are done the next day.

Anonymous said...

1214pm that makes no sense..Ghorra and Cats win with Golden, Malliotakis in Nov

Anonymous said...

12:35 go back to sleep...

Anonymous said...

When Grimm loses, Quaglione is in charge

Anonymous said...



Nah don't forget Quaglione's sidekick, Saperstein. He will be in charge too.They will play Game of Thrones and the loser will walk around in their underwear.

Anonymous said...

Saperstein has quietly gone to the Liam side. He is helping Grimm and Liam and Christine are canvassing for Saperstein.

Galewyn Massey said...

UPDATE & BACKFILL: THE "LIAM WANTS TO BE PART OF THE STORY" EDITION

BOB CAPANO HAS OBVIOUSLY GOTTEN UNDERNEATH LIAM MC CABE'S SKIN (CUE FRANKIE AND THE FOUR SEASONS)


McCabe's pro-Grimm letter in the Daily News shows that if >>> HE <<< can't be the story, then >>> HE <<< certaly wants to be part of the story.....

The question is >>> WHY <<< ???

The answer is >>> BOB CAPANO <<< !!!

Time for a show tune, covered by Frankie Valli as a rock'n'roll tune:

[Glissando] I...... I've got you under my skin
I've got you deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart, you're really a part of me (baby, Ba-baby)
I've got you under my skin
I've tried so not to give in
I've said to myself this affair
Never will go so well
But why should I try to resist
When darlin' I know so well
I've got you under my skin
Sacrifice anything come what might
For the sake of having you near
In spite of the warning voice that comes in the night
And repeats and repeats in my ears
Don't you know (little fool, little fool)
You never can win (never win, never win)
Use your mentality(never win, never win, never win); wake up to reality
But each time I do, just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
Whoa Baby, under my skin (never win, never win)
Baby, baby, under my skin
Don't you know that each time I do, just the thought of you
Makes me stop before I begin
('cause I've got you under my skin)
Under my skin
[Background builds & then recedes] Never win... Never win...
Never win...
OOOOH-EEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!
Never win... Never win... Never win... [Fadeout]

[CP -- FV -- FS]

Anonymous said...

Gale
Please explain your logic above..it seems very silly.

Anonymous said...

155pm is correct..Saperstein is with liam..Q got outmaneuvered yet again by Liam, just like when he got Ghorra to load up the Brooklyn GOP with his loyalists..

Quaglione positioned himself as Sapersteins biggest Bay Ridge supporter ...oh well

Anonymous said...

The only person who is really getting hurt is Saperstein. He is not nearly as slick as he thinks. Saperstein makes a deal with Liam that he thinks no one knows about he backs Grimm and he thinks no one knows. Whoever wins on Tuesday doesn’t matter, it’s not a City Council race, lets see how Stevie pays Steeplechase with $10,000 in the bank total.

Anonymous said...

This is not a surprise..Saperstein's "intern" Vito was at Grimm's Bklyn Spumoni Gardens event with Liam..

Anonymous said...

Vito is more powerful than any of the commenters on this blog.. Saperstein made deals with Liam, Q, Capano, And Lucretia. He also made deals with Brannan, Reverend , Tong and Carroll. There is also a back room deal with Max Rose and Omar Vaid

Anonymous said...

Only one reason why anyone endorsed Donovan. He is the incumbent. On June 26th at 10 pm he'll be forgotten.

Anonymous said...

It'll be over by 9:15

Anonymous said...

Nah you figure it’ll take until 10 for the Grimm cultists to accept that they’ve lost and move on to the next con job.

Anonymous said...

ok 6:08

On Tuesday we'll see who is right and wrong.

Anonymous said...

Grimm is going to win Brooklyn

Anonymous said...

If donovan runs with the reform party after losing the primary he can lose twice in one year just like bob did.

Anonymous said...

If Grimm wins the Primary one thing is certain, Max Rose is calling his realtor to find locations for Brooklyn and Staten Island Congressional Offices.

Anonymous said...


Grimm wins 52% by 9:45 pm

Anonymous said...

Max Rose calls Realtor for District Office locations at 9:46.

Anonymous said...

If donovan loses can bob still drink beer on the subway?

Anonymous said...

If Grimm loses, can Liam still piss on a Councilman's office rug in Queens while drunk and get fired or get arrested while drunk

Anonymous said...

If Grimm loses will Alexandra and Rob have to work on dog catcher campaigns in Upstate New York?

Anonymous said...

Yes, I heard Alexandra and Rob have been ostracized by the Manhattan GOP by Andrea Cats, who is with Donovan, as is her dad

Galewyn Massey said...

RESPONSE: THE "COMMENTARY ON MY BLOG IS REFLECTED IN THE CITY-WIDE PAPERS" EDITION

TO WHOM IT MIGHT CONCERN

THIS FECKLESS & JEJUNE PISSING CONTEST BETWEEN GRIMM & DONOVAN SUPPORTERS IS BEING PLAYED OUT IN PRINTERS INK ON THE PAGES OF THE NY POST & THE DAILY NEWS (AND IN THEIR ONLINE EDITIONS) --- THE MOST RECENT EXAMPLE IS THE QUOTE BY BOB CAPANO IN A NY POST EDITORIAL SLAMMING MIKE GRIMM'S QUEST TO GET HIMSELF THROWN BACK INTO JAIL


Sad to say altogether too many comments on my blog lately are exemplary of little more than their anonymity, pettiness and redundancy. In short, they are nothing more than the pusillanimous puerile pestering by people, who clearly can't think of anything more to do in a taught political contest, like the one between Donovan and Grimm, than hurl invective and insults at their perceived opponent(s).

Unfortunately for an even bigger audience, my blog is not the lone vehicle for this kind of stuff. Both Bob Capano and Liam McCabe have shown that they can get the same kind of "NAH-NAH-NUNNAH-NAH !!!!!" into the city-wide tabloids, like the News & Post.

Hopefully, we will be delivered from this plague of nattering locusts very shortly. However, I fear that is a vain hope.....

Anonymous said...

Gale,
From what your saying
Seems like Bob Capano (Donovan) vs. Liam McCabe (Grimm) tomorrow for bragging rights in Brooklyn.

Anonymous said...

Quaglione is the only "sober" one between the 3 former 2017 GOP candidates

Anonymous said...

Newsflash Alexandra and Rob were chased out of Manhattan GOP the minute Adele Malpass moved to Washington. Jerry Kassar is their only real connection left with any influence.

Anonymous said...

Something tells me after Dono van Tuesday, Liam , Alexandra, and Rob will be completely done. .

Anonymous said...

Gail, when you used the word 'vain' in your last comment, did you mean 'vain' as in self-aggrandizing or self-important, or did you mean 'vain' as in futile or pointless?

Anonymous said...

Not A Newsflash: Tomorrow Capano losses

Anonymous said...

the robocalls are driving me crazy

Anonymous said...

Not a Newsflash: T onorrow Liam loses again

Anonymous said...

16 hours until Liam is done..trust me, Donovan will make sure McCabe never gets a political job in NYC..

Anonymous said...

ALL POINTS BULLETIN!!!!!!

Ted Ghomora is missing. He didnt go to Donovan's campaign Kick-Off, didnt go to Donovan's Rally with Rudy, didnt go with Golden and Donovan Sat to the Rally in Dyker...and worse than that. AND he has not stepped foot into Donovans HQ in either Brooklyn or SI.

Rumor has it that Ghorra is secretly, or not so secretly backing Grimm.

And he is the new county chair.

What a douche

Anonymous said...

Ghorra and Liam win big tomorrow...

Anonymous said...

On Wednesday Bob will be conducting interviews for the next batch of losers. Pizza not included.

Anonymous said...

I guess Marty is a loser since he interviewed.
Ahahaba

Anonymous said...

If Donovan loses his Brooklyn supporters live tonfihht another day. If Grimm loses Liam and Ted are going on an anything but excellent adventure into obscurity. Liam and Ted are done in Brooklyn GOP politics. They’ll both have to go back to Conservative party hat in hand.