Some were worried that the new relaxed and apologetic Weiner returning to politics is not the same Weiner the Liberal base went crazy for, before the Twitter scandal occurred. After a two week kick-off, it seems Mr. Weiner is already comfortable in his own skin and back in full mode to energize his base towards victory in the September primary.

At a candidate screening by the New Kings Democratic club Wednesday night in Williamsburg, a shouting match broke out between the candidate and two Democratic activists, marking the most heated moment of his campaign to date.
Chris Owens, a Brownstone Brooklyn district leader, berated Mr. Weiner for his conduct at the start of a Q&A session, according to Jill Colvin and BuzzFeed’s Ruby Cramer.

“I have a three word question, ‘How dare you?’” he began. “I’m a parent, I’ve got two sons. I represent the Democratic Party. I am outraged and disgusted by you, both by what you did and by the fact that you have the arrogance to run for mayor now. And the only reason why you’re running for mayor is because you have this money that you’re going to lose.”

“I want to understand how you explain to us how you used public facility to tweet offensive material to individuals who may have included minors,” Mr. Owens said. “Now you come back–not even four, eight years later–you come back after two years and you expect us to embrace you because you have good ideas?”

According to Politicker, Mr. Weiner, at first, responded calmly, telling Mr. Owens, “I appreciate the question, Chris, and I know that some people will feel that way.” But then Mr. Weiner swung his first punch, accusing Mr. Owens of holding a grudge against him because Mr. Weiner endorsed Yvette Clarke instead of him during a 2006 Congressional race.

“Listen, Chris. You have the right to grandstand and I have a right to answer the question after you do, don’t I?” an increasingly agitated Mr. Weiner asked. “All I can say is that I have explained–and I’ll explain it to as many people who want to ask me about those things–that it was a personal mistake that I made. It was one that I regret and one that I’ve expressed apologies for … But now people have to decide whether or not it disqualifies me … I do think I have something to offer in this conversation.”

Then came another question, this time from Jesse Strauss, a club member who noted that three candidates in a row–mayoral candidate John Liu, Brooklyn borough president hopeful Eric Adams and Mr. Weiner–had all come to the Democratic club and apologized for something.

“Don’t you think that there’s something about public office that means that you have to have the trust of people, that we can’t have our politicians going around apologizing all the time?” he asked, noting that city employees like teachers are barred from tweeting photos to their students. “How are we going to have the stature as a city to tell that teacher that they can’t work for the City of New York when our mayor has done the same thing?”

Now Mr. Weiner was in full attack mode, his voice loud and hoarse. “Listen, if you believe that my personal failings disqualify me, don’t vote for me,” he said. “But, my friend, I’m not sure exactly what it is that you’re asking for.” He asked Mr. Strauss which candidate he supported. The answer? Bill de Blasio.

“That’s a surprise,” said Mr. Weiner, rolling his eyes. “I’m going to win this election, OK, and I’m going to govern this city really well,” he declared. “If you don’t think I should even be standing here today, I certainly would respect that. I mean, you’re supporting another candidate who’s not gonna win.”

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)