Council Clash Could Aid Quinn's Mayoral Odds

A barrage of attacks and a civil rights lawsuit against the City Council speaker could actually bolster Christine Quinn's anticipated mayoral aspirations and help her emerge as a strong leader known for standing up for her convictions, political observers say. Ms. Quinn faces an impending trial in a suit brought by a now-former council aide, Viola Plummer, who is suing for $1 million and charging the speaker with employment discrimination , harassment, and First Amendment violations. Ms. Quinn also is on the receiving end of frequent attacks by the aide's former boss, Council Member Charles Barron, who rails against Ms. Quinn and the "white power" he says rules at City Hall. Political observers say the attacks and the lawsuit won't hinder Ms. Quinn's likely mayoral campaign, in part because Mr. Barron's racial rhetoric falls flat for most New Yorkers, and because Ms. Quinn has taken a popular position on Plummer.

Ms. Quinn suspended the former chief of staff to Mr. Barron of Brooklyn after she promised to end the political career of Council Member Leroy Comrie of Queens, even if it took "an assassination." A professor of public administration at Columbia University, Steven Cohen, said that if the city were as racially divided as it was under Mayor Giuliani, Mr. Barron's combative stance against Ms. Quinn might be more potent.

But he said Ms. Quinn has a good reputation throughout the city and among African-Americans. "I can't imagine this is going to have too much currency," he said.

The dean at Baruch College's school of public affairs, David Birdsell, said that by disciplining Plummer, Ms. Quinn is showing she can be forceful and aggressive within the city bureaucracy.

He said Plummer's federal lawsuit, scheduled to go to trial on September 24, could give her the chance to show she is willing to suffer political losses to stand firm on matters of principle.

"That strong position is going to be popular and may give her an opportunity to buttress or begin to build a reputation for toughness," he said. "I think that she needs that." Mr. Birdsell said it would be possible for Ms. Quinn to mishandle the case by engaging in personal arguments with Mr. Barron. He said she is better off holding "the high moral ground , where she is right now."

The executive director of the New York Civil Rights Coalition, Michael Meyers, said he is not a fan of Ms. Quinn's , but he does admire her for standing up to Mr. Barron. But some observers, and those supporting Plummer's fight to retain her job, say Ms. Quinn's suspension has violated the council aide's First Amendment rights.

Plummer lost her job Friday when she refused to sign a good-behavior agreement with the council, a requirement of the speaker if she planned to return to work following the six-week suspension.

A lawyer and former executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union who is running for public advocate, Norman Siegel, has said Ms. Quinn raised serious First Amendment issues through the suspension, which he called "constitutionally suspect."