@Denis, I really don't think there's anything all that nefarious here. So the PBA told Hales his speech was "great." The real purpose of their e-mail was to suck up, and oh-by-the-way suggest a refinement of his sidewalk talking points.

They're a lobbying group, what are they going to do, e-mail him, "shitty speech there, Charlie?"

I don't think it follows at all that a throwaway "great speech" means PBA will "be at his side for whatever battles might come."

"Lobbyist Lobbies"

I note that the PBA is joined on the Mayor's super suspicious Task Force by representatives by no less than seven separate service providers. What could they be up to?!