Up is down, down is up

Interesting (0.00 / 0)

That's an interesting take on the situation -- especially since conventional wisdom seems to suggest that upstate will be hurt by the lack of upstate representatives in the leadership of New York State government.

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by: Upstatesman @ Sun Jul 06, 2008 at 21:19:07 PM UTC

That piece was way bizarre (0.00 / 0)

Yes Skelos sounds like big trouble, and he might be worse for the city. But if the Dems take control the majority leader most likely be from NYC. Am I way off base here? I kept looking for a reference to that in the article. Maybe I read too quickly and Moss did that analysis? He really avoided the donkey in the room so to speak.

The important question seems to be: how do the Dems--if/when we get the majority-- keep Long Island and Queens happy and, to a lesser extent, Westchester. Bruno understood the importance of LI. No coincidence that Bruno's successor is from there. I am sure there's a way to be fairer but how. Seems like keeping the LI seats blue will be tough without a similar suck up policy. Please tell me I'm wrong.  

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by: LOBlue @ Mon Jul 07, 2008 at 01:25:08 AM UTC

My take is (0.00 / 0)

that this guy knows Skelos and thinks he is scary, which he is.  Good thing he is gone before it matters.

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by: robinia @ Mon Jul 07, 2008 at 01:29:23 AM UTC

cause for concern (0.00 / 0)

The real problem, I think, is that the Senate Dems' preparedness to lead any region of the state is questionable.

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by: peterpiper @ Mon Jul 07, 2008 at 02:45:41 AM UTC

As Republicans' readiness has been (0.00 / 0)

I actually agree with this.  There has been a handy scapegoat available for both sides under the "arrangement," and that has meant that there is always an excuse available for why nothing is really happening to put together a plan for dealing with our long-term problems as a state.

That is part of why I am so passionate about a Dem-majority Senate-- it removes the excuse.  It is actually possible to hire your way into good policy analysis and judgement, which could translate into real leadership.  But, that would take a significant amount of managerial savvy (and a clear view of the Senators' personal limitations, as well as talents) to accomplish.  I actually think (on some days) that Malcolm Smith may have the business background to understand that, do what is needed. Got my fingers crossed.  No government leads without staff.  Who they hire, and how they deploy them, will be the crucial thing.

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by: robinia @ Mon Jul 07, 2008 at 12:18:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

So much to ponder (4.00 / 1)

I mean no slight to academics but Moss is teaching our kids? Ouch. He is way off base. I do agree that you needed Bruno to go along with the takeover of NYC debt, but he did it because Bloomberg is the single biggest benefactor of the RSCC. Who else transfers in hundreds of thousands like it's water. This Moss guy makes it sound like it's because Bruno understood the significance of NYC need, no it was the significance of the campaign committee's need.

I'd say the Senate has been dysfunctional for some time now. Anyone in control (be it Republican or Democrat) will suffer from that when control hinges on just a few seats. It's the nature of the beast, there is no comfortable margin for political error. It's just hard to see because they appear to do stuff, pass legislation willy nilly and point fingers at everyone else with culpability. Noise, they are good at noise. You have to be when your control hangs on a thin thread. And Bruno is no punching bag, he has been well served, (and Skelos will be too), by mass media and even Democrats beating up the awkward quiet one in the corner named Silver who doesn't protect himself. Skelos will get a free pass, you see the ground work being laid with this kind of revisionist history crap out of the academic world (placed in the NYTimes for all of us to absorb - Bruno he's your friend).

I'm setting my clock on Skelos bringing the Senators back in less than 2 weeks and playing "hero" to NY taxpayers. Like a boxer he'll come out swinging in round one and take the round easily. Aided of course by the governor himself who said passing a property tax cap is the SINGLE most important issue we face.

Simon you named this very well. Up is down and down is up and it's going to get more confusing in the months ahead.

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by: TruBlu @ Mon Jul 07, 2008 at 12:55:15 PM UTC