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In any event, I lost; but I lost in a way that was so devastating -- I lost... I think I got 32% of the vote, which is an all-time low in the Village. Even Herman Gretizer, in the first district leader race against DeSapio, got about 37%. I think I got 40% overall in the Assembly district, which is also a devastating loss, because a 5% differential is generally considered to be a huge victory -- and here Passannante wins by 10%, no 20%. I never plan to run for controller -- I can't add -- but in any event, I get 40 and Passannante gets 60. It was devastating, and in the Village I only get 32%.

I remember the night of the election: I was brokenhearted. I was finished with politics. And I made a farewell speech that would rival Nixon's, who was yet to come on the scene with his speech, or maybe he had. When did Nixon make his speech?

You're talking about his gubernatorial defeat. That was 1962, two years, after his first Presidential defeat.

So mine was the first year. I said, “Politics is a dirty business and I'll never run again and I'm through with the whole business.” I had tears in my eyes, no question about it, and everybody was very tearful in the room. It was just overwhelming.

The truth is: it's the best thing that ever happened to me. You have to understand: Passannant e is still in the Assembly and I went on to Congress. Passannante is the only guy who can