With fallen DC lobbyist Jack Abramoff's plea deal freaking out the Beltway, people would expect him to turn over Republican congressmen Tom DeLay and Bob Ney. But Gothamist wondered if any of our area politicians were involved. And, naturally, some were, which isn't surprising given money Abramoff had at his disposal (through Abramoff's organization, about $915,000 went to Republicans in Congress, while $770,000 or so went to Democrats; however, Abramoff's personal contributions seem to be limited to Republicans themselves - about $127,000 worth). Newsday reports that Representative Charles Rangel was the top New York receipient of Abramoff's largesse, getting $36,000; he was followed by "Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-Rochester) at $7,000 and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester) at $2,000":

Rangel, who has not been implicated in any wrongdoing, said he is unfairly in the spotlight because of Abramoff's actions. "Don't know him, never met him, never took a dime from him," said the senior member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. more ›

The Mayor had uninvited Congressman Bob Ney to his pre-Convention shindig, because of Ney's refusal to give NYC funding. more ›

With less than a month until the Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden, the editors of Slice (Gothamist's favorite pizza site) have released GOPizza.net for the thousands of people in town for the convention. No news on whether there will be an Counter Convention pizza site from Slice. Now on the site, those hailing from the nether-regions of the country can learn how to order pizza in New York - it's a slice, stupid - and learn how to hold your pizza. more ›

And more on the Republicans-in-NYC tip, Mayor Bloomberg tells reporters he uninvited Ohio Congressman Bob Ney because "Congress is always out trying to help their constituents. Well, we are their constituents, we are the country's constituents This is where they come for funds and this is where they come for exposure and publicity, and I think that the political ramifications are all positive for the city if we stand up." Gothamist likes the Mayor's "Don't mess with NYC" attitude even though it seems more a way to attract voters and shed some of the traditional associations that being a "Republican" has. Gothamist on the univitation. more ›

Congressman Bob Ney's site. And more on the Republican National Convention here in NY. more ›

kind of fries will result in your arrest and you will be branded across your forehead with the words "Cheese-eating Surrender Monkey". For breakfast you will order Freedom Toast. Why they didn't go with Texas Toast, which is (as my friend Joe pointed out to me) already a synonym for the toast-that-dare-not-speak-its-name, is beyond my understanding. more ›