The Short List: Fantasy Politics Draft Edition

Ahhh, smell that fresh Chamber scent. Smells like anticipation for possibly the greatest single political blogging event in the history of New York City blogging.

On Saturday at 1 PM, A Short Story has assembled a veritable all-star Press Row of reporters, bloggers, and v-loggers to participate in the first ever City Hall Fantasy Politics Draft. Yes, you heard that right. We're going to draft New York City Council members, state legislators, executives, congressmembers, and commissioners over a period of ten rounds. Each will be assigned a football position such as quarterback, left tackle, wide reciever, etc., and selected in order of strength, speed, quickness and overall athleticism.

Points will be tallied based on legislation pased (6 points), major initiatives created (6 points), and press conferences/ press releases (3 points) per news cycle, and tracked through June.

Draft day rumors are already swirling. Several reporters have contacted me about trading up in the draft to get a better draft position to take a look at likely overall #1 pick Mayor Michael Bloomberg, but Senator Chuck Schumer and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo are also generating interest, as are Congressmembers Anthony Weiner, Jerrold Nadler, and Nydia Velazquez, Public Advocate Bill De Blasio, Comptroller John Liu and Borough Presidents Marty Markowitz and Scott Stringer.

There are also rumors of an agreement in place for Assemblymember Vito Lopez to be taken in the second round as left tackle with a guaranteed contract of $2.3 million, but that Lopez may get converted into a fullback. At a lunch with Senate candidate Harold Ford (and project late first round draft pick), Lopez denied the rumors, claiming to be more impressed with Ford's tremendous upside potential.

Check back this weekend for a full Running Diary of the Press Row Fantasy Politics Draft and draft analysis of the winners and losers on Monday. Have a good weekend, and draft wisely.