Vogel: NYC Democrats in self-destruct mode once again

How is it possible that, though registered Democratic voters outnumber Republicans six to one in this town, a Democrat hasn't been elected mayor in two decades?

Beside the fact that our unique brand of pro-gay-marriage, pro-choice, pro-gun-control Republicans would be considered flaming liberals most other places, Democrats do their part by running a bunch of hack politicians who instill no confidence as they do their best to destroy one another. And this year's crop is taking it to a whole new level.

A TV ad that started airing last week attacks Christine Quinn, the City Council speaker and current Democratic front-runner, as a ruthless power broker who doesn't have the interests of real New Yorkers at heart. If you think its sponsor is a Republican hit squad, think again. It's a coalition of progressive Democrats and unions.

Quinn's team immediately put the blame for the ad on Democratic opponent Bill de Blasio. Public Advocate de Blasio's team quickly denied it and struck back, saying, "Nothing undermined our democratic system more than when Speaker Quinn overturned term limits and let Mayor Bloomberg spend $100 million, buying four more years." Zing!

And that's not all. When Democratic State Sen. Malcolm Smith's pathetic attempt to run on the Republican line was exposed, it also revealed an alleged plot by City Councilman Dan Halloran to use City Council discretionary funds to pay off a campaign contributor. Naturally, Quinn's Democratic opponents used this as an opportunity to jump all over her.

Candidate Bill Thompson accused Quinn of running a "broken system that . . . has clearly not been adequately reformed under the speaker's leadership." De Blasio's team also piled on, while Quinn's people angrily fired back that this was "mudslinging of the worst kind."

Yep, NYC Democrats have once again formed a circular firing squad. And if they believe they've got the election in the bag simply because they're overdue, the Democrats may be in for another rude shock come November.

That is, unless they have some white knight ready to save them from themselves. Hey, wait a minute, who's that charging up the hill?

Oh my God, it's Anthony Weiner!

Playwright Mike Vogel blogs at newyorkgritty.net.