Who Knew About That Boy’s Sliky Pipes?

Who knew, as in Who knew Gifford Miller’s secret strategy to wrest control of the Mayor’s office hinged on his singing ability? The Times explains:

As backstage dressing rooms go, the rear seat of a sport utility vehicle is not exactly diva-grade. The lighting is bad, and the catering table nonexistent. But it was the only place available last month for Gifford Miller, the City Council speaker, as he prepared to face what would be, for most politicians, an almost insurmountable test of political courage.

In a few minutes, he would take to a lectern at the Eileen Dugan Senior Center, and he would sing.

“My wife doesn’t let me do it at home,” explained the speaker and mayoral candidate, as his vehicle crossed the Brooklyn Bridge. “But I’ve always liked singing.” He broke into snatches of a couple of tunes to illustrate the point. “It finally struck me that if I could find some captive – and uncritical – audiences, I could indulge myself a little more.”

Although “indulge myself” isn’t something one necessarily wants to hear from someone running for office, it at least helps contribute anecdotal evidence to support the maxim “Politics is Show Business for Ugly People.” And lest you try to accuse Miller of pandering, know that his street cred is real:

“Half my security detail can sing the ‘Hatikvah,’ ” he said, referring to the Israeli anthem, one of several he has learned and sung on the campaign trail, including the national songs of Greece, Kenya and Ireland (in Gaelic, though he usually sticks to English, since “most Irish-Americans don’t speak Gaelic, so it just seemed like showing off”). He especially enjoys the official anthem of Puerto Rico. “It’s called ‘La Borinqueña,’ ” he said, lolling his L’s lustily. “Laaaaaa Borin-QUEN-YA.”

No, certainly no one is showing off here . . . no siree!