PR honcho Zimm wants in
Cindy Adams
ROBERT Zimmerman . My friend 30 years. So far back the subway was then a nickel, Marilyn Monroe was it, the phone had a rotary dial and all America saluted the flag.
Founding p.r. firm ZE Creative Communications 33 years ago with Ron Edelson, Zimmerman labeled public relations “a form of advocacy.” He lives in Great Neck. That’s his world. Me, my parents raised in Hollis, Jamaica and Freeport. He and I shared Long Island values.
Intertwining on charities and public service, he helped my annual Blessing of the Animals at
Park Avenue’s Christ Church. Helped pass Jazzy’s Law when my beloved Yorkie died in care of a dog trainer. Helped me fight for safety inspection for kennels.
Early on brought an upheaval in his personal life. He came to terms with being gay. He remembers some suburban educator actually suggesting conversion therapy and telling him: “A doctor can make you well.” This brought him to Temple Emanuel where Robert Widom, the family’s rabbi, encouraged him. Talked to him of Moses taking us from shelter and putting his foot into the Red Sea.
The resulting activism developed into a sense of mission. For himself, for others, for a government to stand up, for unseen senior citizens, for unvalued wounded vets, for an opportunity to be heard. Zimmerman is now a Democratic candidate in New York’s 3rd Congressional District — Long Island’s North Shore and Queens.
So, any nervousness at taking this big step? He says: “I’ve been knocked down before. I understand the risk of not succeeding, but a greater risk is not stepping up. The opportunity to try is more important. Changing direction is a commitment. Big responsibility. My family is supportive. I’m taking the shot because I have something to say.
“I’m standing up for democracy. For protecting the Constitution. To make sure Long Island and Queens succeed in this new era of infrastructure and innovation. I want Long Island to be included in clean energy union jobs. And to help clean up Long Island Sound. And I plan to hold Washington accountable.”
Right. OK. Great. I — a Republican since Abraham Lincoln — my only worry is, next time we have dinner with my old friend earning a congressman’s salary — will I get stuck with the check?
What’s in a name?
IF Joe Barfden called fine reporter Doocy a son of a bitch, what would he suggest we call his son Hunter?
IN the immortal words of Irving Plato: “A good candidate is one who runs his campaign deeply into debt — in the hopes that his family will have a chance to do the same for the entire country.”
Only in the USA, and New York, kids, only in the USA and New York.