Clarke Wraps Up All-Important Murtha Endorsement

Your latest 11th Congressional District news . . . controversial Congressman Jack Murtha — who is on the right side of the Iraq War for a, er, primary in the 11th Congressional District but the wrong side of basically every other issue CD11 voters care about has endorsed (!) Yvette Clarke:

City Councilwoman Yvette Clarke (D-Flatbush), one of four Democratic hopefuls for the 11th congressional seat, announced a high-profile endorsement by Pennsylvania Rep. Jack Murtha, trumpeting him as a leading figure against the war in Iraq.

But Clarke’s opponents quickly pointed to Murtha’s anti-abortion stance and opposition to gun control.

. . .

Murtha earned an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association in 2004 for his votes against gun control — while most city reps got an “F.”

Murtha also earned a 0 out of 5 on a 2005 scorecard by the pro-choice group NARAL, compared to the 5s given to most city politicians.

“We’ll take the support of [Attorney General] Eliot Spitzer, [former Mayor] David Dinkins and Brooklyn’s teachers over a pro-gun, anti-choice, out-of-state congressman any day,” said state Sen. Carl Andrews’ spokeswoman Melissa DeRosa, referring to Andrews’ own endorsements in the race.

Clarke defended Murtha’s endorsement and said her own views on social issues are more important than Murtha’s.

“The voters know where I stand, and they’ll be voting for me on [Sept. 12].”

Opposition research . . . complete!

Meanwhile, David Yassky works hard to distance himself from one of the more controversial developers in Brooklyn (outside that one guy , of course):

Meanwhile, City Councilman David Yassky (D-Brooklyn Heights) came under fire for nearly allowing controversial Brooklyn architect Robert Scarano to host a fund-raiser for him that was slated for last night.

The event, to be held at Scarano’s DUMBO offices, was abruptly canceled yesterday following calls by the Daily News.

. . .

A Yassky campaign spokesman would not discuss why the Scarano fund-raising event was canceled except to say, “The campaign didn’t think it was appropriate.”

Yassky has come under fire in the past for taking money from developers, while Scarano has sparked criticism in some neighborhoods for building condos that critics say are too big.

Scarano also was investigated by the Buildings Department for allegedly unsafe practices following worker injuries. He settled with the city last month and agreed to forfeit signing off on his own building plans.

Is it that hard to run a campaign, people? Come on!