Former Congressman Weiner Reportedly Eyes Political Comeback

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Could former Congressman Anthony Weiner stage a political comeback? That's what the political world is buzzing about amid reports Weiner is hoping to re-enter political life. NY1's Grace Rauh filed the following report.

At this time last year, a political comeback seemed unthinkable.

Anthony Weiner had just resigned from Congress after admitting he sent lewd pictures of himself to women he met online.

But now, there is talk of a run for public office. Weiner reportedly has his eye on the mayor's race or the Public Advocate race.

In an email to NY1, Weiner denied reports from the New York Post that he was looking to get back into politics, calling them made-up.

"If you want, you can take the two stories, insert 'not' after every sentence and you will have the facts right," he wrote.

But it may not be all that farfetched.

"It's probably a trial balloon, what we are seeing right now and it's good timing," said political consultant Basil Smikle, who advised Weiner in the past. "He can have some of these conversations and test the waters a little bit."

The Queens Democrat, who now lives in Manhattan, has largely kept a low profile since his resignation but he is starting to resurface. Last month, he appeared on WNYC for a radio interview.

"I still have regrets," he said in that interview. "I paid a very high price but I am still committed to the same things I was."

Smikle thinks a run for mayor would be a stretch but Public Advocate might be within reach.

"Public Advocate may be a safer bet given the crowd of candidates right now," Smikle said. "He still has the best name recognition, all the controversy aside."

But first, he says Weiner needs to talk about issues, as well as address the scandal that took him down.

"He needs to have that moment, that mea culpa moment," Smikle said.

Quinn: Weiner's Political Comeback Is A "Private Decision"

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner is said to be mulling a run for mayor or public advocate in 2013, and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, a potential mayoral rival, told reporters that such matters are "private decisions" for Weiner and his family.

If Weiner were to run for mayor, he'd face a crowded Democratic field. Some of the potential mayoral candidates were asked about Weiner's potential political prospects.

"I wish Anthony and Huma and his family all the best but those are private decisions for them to make," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

"Who drifts in and who drifts out, only time will tell," said Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.

"Congressman Weiner has to decide what he wants to do and what's best for his family," said Comptroller John Liu.

"You know, we haven't heard from him and I'm not going to work on rumors here," said Public Advocate Bill de Blasio.

Right now, rumors may be all that are needed to get Weiner back into the public eye, which is a good place to be for someone looking to get back into politics.