Unnamed Assembly Democrat Unhappy About Aubertine Win

if you don't like change (4.00 / 7)

last night was an awful event, whatever party you're in.

I'm not certain what direction the change will take us, but I'm still really glad it happened, not least because it makes people like the one quoted uncomfortable.

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by: simonstl @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 01:37:01 AM UTC

Exactly (4.00 / 3)

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by: Roatti @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 01:55:04 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

This assembly member should be outed (4.00 / 4)

I'd like to know exactly who this person is. It sounds like someone who will miss backroom decision making.

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by: cliffweathers @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 02:27:10 AM UTC

And that's exactly why he/she chose to be unnamed (4.00 / 2)

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by: Roatti @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 02:59:08 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

take your pick (4.00 / 3)

as roatti notes, there are literally dozens of folks that anyone paying attention could easily seeing uttering it. that said, i do know how this quote was obtained. azi emailed a group of folks last night, myself included, for their thoughts on what had just happened. i didn't reply because i was just too busy. but many did. this asembycritter was one of them.

and no, i don't know who this person is.

TODAY is day one. It always is.

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by: phillip anderson @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 03:08:19 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Wow (4.00 / 2)

Do you have a shortlist?

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by: Roatti @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 03:21:47 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

nope. (4.00 / 2)

it's literally the least of my concerns at the moment. like i said, take your pick.

TODAY is day one. It always is.

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by: phillip anderson @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 03:29:02 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

why (4.00 / 8)

Why would anyone POSSIBLY be surprised that there is this kind of thinking in Albany?

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by: NYCO @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 02:53:17 AM UTC

Well, might as well start at the top...n/t (4.00 / 5)

Oh, and did I mention that our Act Blue Page is live now?

Thanks

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by: Paul Newell @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 07:02:22 AM UTC

That was my first thought... (4.00 / 2)

This sounds like Shelly...

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by: Jrathman @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 15:03:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well, It's Not As Though (4.00 / 2)

any other Democratic member of the Assembly "can pass legislation".  If Silver doesn't personally approve of the measure, it will never see the light of day.  And if he does want it passed, the position of any given district's representative is immaterial.

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by: The Maven @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 15:07:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Indirect power is the key to change here (4.00 / 3)

Yes-- the position of any given district's representative is immaterial, under the current system.  But, that system is reliant on the "nonaggression pact" whereby territory is ceded to each party, and each house, and there are no competitive elections.  

The powerful thing about what is happening now is, without any one representative challenging the leader's power directly (which would be put down as a coup), the people are challenging it indirectly.  Silver can "not personally approve" of something, but, if there is a close race in a competitive district where people do approve of it, his hand may be forced.  Bruno's hand is being forced, and he is ignoring it and looking old and deaf.

I think it is fascinating that the darling of the hour is a Dem farmer who, like a good Catholic, is against abortion and in favor of public vouchers to parochial schools.  Oh, and likes both wind power and nuclear power.  Talk about diversity of thought on issues within the party!  He is a great legislator, though, and, hey, that's what those North Country folks are about, so, he represents them. If he were running in Tompkins County, I'd be supporting his primary challenger.

Oh, yeah-- indirect power of the people will also lead to meaningful primaries for legislative seats and the end of the incumbancy protection program.  "You may already be a winner."

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by: robinia @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 15:50:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

If I was an assembly Dem, I'd be scared too (4.00 / 2)

After this fall, they're next.

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by: thecount @ Thu Feb 28, 2008 at 15:41:20 PM UTC