When Rev. Floyd Flake looks out at his congregation at the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in Jamaica, Queens, he is likely to see two of the city's top politicians: Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), Flake's successor in Congress, and Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith (D-Queens).

Though he has been out of Congress for more than a decade, Flake still manages to keep himself in tight political circles. And not all of them are bible studies.

Smith and Meeks are just two of the many elected officials who look to Flake for political-and spiritual-guidance. That fact, in addition to his prowess in pulling in city, state and federal money for economic development projects, as well as the power of his endorsement, has kept Flake a major political figure.

And indeed, Flake has a flock of politicians who have embraced his moderate, up-by-the-boot-straps style philosophy even as they generally diverge from his socially conservative stances."To be pastor," Smith said, "you're like a politician."

For more evidence, look no further than Flake's desk, which is piled high not with religious tracts and sermons, but with periodicals-Newsweek, The Economist, the New York Times, etc.

"I try to stay informed about the world," Flake said.

Now he seems to have settled comfortably into the role of kingmaker, granting his political blessing on the chosen few.
"There are very few people who run for an office statewide, or even federal, that don't come consult or talk to me to find out what my positions are and whether they can get my support," Flake said, seated at a dark green marble table in his church office.

Those who have benefited under Flake's political tutelage say they admire his ability to make tough decisions when he knew they could be politically unpopular.

"He made the hard votes because he knew they were right," Meeks said. "I try to guide myself in the same manner."
Meeks said that Flake's influence has remained potent despite a decade out of office because he oversees one of the largest congregations in the city, with more than 23,000 members. That adds up to a lot of voters, he said.

"On any given Sunday, politicians from presidents on down will stop by just to worship," Meeks said.

The make-up of Flake's congregation, which is mostly middle-class homeowners, has also been an asset to his post-Congressional career.

"When you represent that many people, where the median income and voting rates are high, you will always be important to many people," said City Council Member Leroy Comrie (D-Queens), who has worked closely with Flake over the years.

Flake got his start working for the political campaigns of Ed Koch (D) and Jimmy Carter (D). Though he never expected to become a politician himself, he said he ran for office because he believed he could better use the political system to benefit his congregants and community. In 1986, he won his first term after a slate of economic development victories which he said demonstrated his skills at turning blocks of vacant land into businesses and affordable housing.

Throughout his career, he was alternately praised and criticized for his tendencies to reach across party lines to broker deals. He riled the Democratic Party by endorsing the re-elections of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani (R) and Gov. George Pataki (R).

He has crossed party lines beyond New York as well, co-chairing conservative African-American candidate Ken Blackwell's (R) unsuccessful campaign for Ohio governor.

Today, Flake serves as a senior fellow at the conservative Manhattan Institute, writing editorials in favor of school vouchers.

But Flake said his take on bipartisanship can be boiled down to a simple you-scratch-my-back philosophy.

"Most of the things we felt we could support each other on, we did," Flake said of his Republican colleagues. "The things we couldn't support each other on, we did not."

Flake has been an imperfect mentor to Democrats in the city in other respects. In 1990, he and his wife were indicted for embezzlement and tax evasion. Two years later, federal attorneys dropped the charges. Undeterred by his brush with scandal, Flake remained in office for another five years before retiring.

Flake said he has never accepted anything in return for his support and endorsement.

"Never got anything personal from a politician," he said with a grin peaking out from under a mustache that hugs the corners of his mouth. "Never want to."

Smith, who was district director of Flake's congressional office, credits Flake with inventing a new style of politics, one that he has since assimilated into his own style as Senate minority leader.

Flake often uses his pulpit to preach economic empowerment, Smith said. He encourages his congregants to contribute money to the church for the benefit of the community and then taps his political supporters to clear the necessary development hurdles.

The result, Smith said, is a new paradigm. And a new word.

"I would call it 'plurginess,'" he said, "a combination of political, clergy and business."

Flake's record of working with Democrats and Republicans is a model Smith said resonates especially in the minority community.

"One of the things, I think, from a minority community standpoint that's held us back is we've allowed ourselves to get wrapped up in the partisanship," said Smith, who was last elected to the Senate in 2006 carrying four ballot lines-Democrat, Republican, Working Families and Conservative.

This summer, Democrats and Republicans will be battling over the slim majority in the State Senate, giving Smith the opportunity to employ some of Flake's teachings-including "plurginess"-as he leads his conference through the campaign season.

Flake said, though, that he will limit his role in the race to that of a spiritual counselor for politicians seeking guidance.

"Spirituality is not a limitation to emotional catharsis but can be productive as an agent of change," he said.

Flake said he is looking forward to getting involved in the 2009 citywide election when the races become more settled.
"A number of candidates have come to see me," he said. "But I think the field is too vast right now."

At 65 years old, Flake said he has lost interest in elected office, saying that being the leader of his church is now the highest office he could want. Plus, he added, the perks are better.

"I basically have access to all the tracks to get the resources that my community needs without having to serve in office," Flake said, "and a better salary."