Stringer seems to agree that other opponents to Bloomberg and Quinn could find themselves without money.

"I can't have an argument with both of them at the same time,” Stringer is quoted as saying in today's Crain's Insider. In explaining his push for independent budgeting, Stringer recalled, “what happened to Betsy Gotbaum, where they both decided to chop her budget in half.”

According to a bill introduced today, the funding for the public advocate's office will be "not less than nine thousands of one percent of the net total expense budget of the city." Currently, the level of funding is at the discretion of the mayor and the Council.

The bill also includes funding formulas for the conflict of interest board and the civilian complaint review board.

It's an interesting shift for the humbled mayor. Just last month, the mayor called the public advocate's office "a total waste of everyone's money," and he had pushed a 40 percent cut--a difference of just over a million dollars--in this year's budget. The current public advocate, Betsy Gotbaum, hadn't adjusted her spending to reflect the reduced budget number, and so she had gone through most of the year's budget--raising questions as to whether Mr. de Blasio would be able to hire sufficient staff and pay his own salary.

But the mayor is apparently feeling sympathetic--even a bit charitable--these days.

"He will be held harmless for the overspending by his predecessor," Stu Loeser, the mayor's spokesman, told the Post.

The $4,950 check from New Yorkers for Betsy Gotbaum to Thompson's campaign was recorded on August 31 of this year.

In March, Gotbaum attended a fund-raiser for Thompson but, when asked by reporters, declined to say whether she was endorsing him.

In the primary on September 15, Mr. Gioia finished a disappointing third, pulling only 18 percent of the vote and lagging 12 points behind second-place finisher Mark Green.

At this time last year, the public advocate's race was expected to be another rung in Mr. Gioia's rapid ascent. He was (and still is) young, energetic, idealistic and also quite politic. He seemed to like the cameras and the cameras seemed to like him. From a citywide perch, the thinking went, he could position himself for mayor, or Congress, or whatever opportunity might come along.

And then came term limits. When the Council voted--over Mr. Gioia's objection--not to re-shuffle the political deck in 2009, the public advocate equation changed. (The two-term incumbent, Betsy Gotbaum, declined to run again.)

Shortly after the vote, another popular councilman, Bill de Blasio, declared for the seat. Before the term limits vote, Mr. de Blasio had planned to run for Brooklyn borough president, but he had re-directed his ambitions when Marty Markowitz opted to run for a third term.

And then Mark Green, a two-term public advocate in the 1990s who had sworn off politics in 2006, couldn't help himself.

Mr. de Blasio got most of the unions and the helpful Working Families Party; Mr. Green had enviable name recognition forged through his prior service in the office, and his television punditry, and a series of high-profile losses in races for other, more powerful offices. Suddenly, Eric Gioia was swamped.

Mr. de Blasio got 32 percent; Mr. Green got 30 and the two headed for Tuesday's run-off.

Mr. Gioia came in at 18 percent, but received some small--but considerable-- consolation just before the primary: a new daughter.

His camp is coy, for now, about his future plans.

"The first priority for Councilman Gioia is to spend time with his family and get to know his daughter, Rosalee, a little bit better," said his spokesman.

Developing...

Vance and Velazquez were joined by Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum on the steps of City Hall, surrounded by supporters carrying “Women for Vance” signs.

It was a clear shot at rival Leslie Crocker Snyder, the only woman in the race, and at one point a supporter of the death penalty.

When asked about not supporting the only woman in the race, Velazquez, who represents parts of the Lower East Side, Brooklyn and Queens, said, “Mr. Vance has everything that I’ve been looking for in the next DA of Manhattan. And as I’ve stressed, the death penalty, for me, is fundamental.”

Gotbaum said in a public statement, “Having known Kirsten since before she became a Congresswoman, I know she is very bright, capable and extremely hard-working. Kirsten learned quickly now that she represents the entire state and has adapted very well to her role. She continues to be a strong and dedicated leader for New York's families, fighting for equal pay, quality and affordable health care, and the best educational opportunities for our children. I know that Kirsten Gillibrand will stand up for all New Yorkers and I am proud to support her."

The statement comes three days after Representative Carolyn Maloney of Manhattan announced she will not challenge Gillibrand. Maloney, who, like Gotbaum, is from Manhattan, has not said who she’ll support for senate.

Representative Jose Serrano is also not running, nor committing to supporting Gillibrand just yet.

It's part of a new video from the Manhattan district attorney's campaign. It was sent out to supporters by Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, who asks people to donate to Vance in advance of the July 11 fund-raising deadline.

The ad, and pitch from Gotbaum, are efforts to appeal more to female voters, the presumed base of support for the only woman in the race, Leslie Crocker Snyder.