| This is actually making sense. Last weekend, in a print version only, Hugh Reynolds, in the Daily Freeman, wrote about what appears to be happening in the 42nd Senatorial District.
GONE JOHN?
Around Albany, they might be calling it "the Balboni Identity," a cleverly fiendish plot whereby Gov. Eliot Spitzer picks off willing Republican state senators in swing districts with an offer only a fool - or a party stalwart in a totally safe district - would refuse.
He then refers to the 2006 race between John Bonacic and Susan Zimet:
And now there's every indication the seductive Spitzer has been calling on Sen. John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope, whose Orange County-based district includes 16 towns in Ulster County and 65 percent of its population.
Bonacic, who tells local Republican leaders he isn't talking to the Freeman these days - supposedly it has something to do with "editorial policy" - signaled clearly to the Associated Press he was definitely interested in a deal.
"I've been my own boss for most of my life," Bonacic, a 64-year old attorney, told the AP. "I never want to say no, but it would have to be something substantive where you would have an impact, not just a job for a job's sake or trying to boost a pension."
There are two clear signals being sent in that sentence, that Bonacic will only serve as a department head and that he's in it for the short-term.
--snip--
Should Bonacic join Balboni, a special election would be held within 90 days of his resignation. Zimet, who hasn't stopped running since last November, will be the governor's choice. They already have the ads from last year. Orange County Republicans will scramble for a candidate to keep it respectable and hope to reload for the main event next year.
Or Bonacic could role the dice.
I'm thinking deal.
This all makes perfect sense to anyone who has been watching events transpire in Albany since Day One.
This comes as no surprise to me, but what is surprising is the speed and power of the plan's implementation. Since Azi is quoting a "senior official in the Spitzer Administration," I'm assuming this has been purposely leaked in order to add urgency to the offers. He's talking to the Bonacics of Albany: "The door is closing here...Deal or no Deal?"
The areas that are prime for strong Senate challenges in 2008 are Long Island and the Hudson Valley. Both have been trending blue, and many candidates in those areas garnered over 42% in 2006, a "prime district" threashold set up by the DSCC. Look for potential candidates to be gearing up very soon...building their organizations and begining to raise cash.
Craig Johnson doesn't even have a desk in the Senate Chamber yet. Looks like 2008 State Senate race may be starting sooner than we think. Eliot is moving with blinding speed...for a Steamroller. |
