The three quixotic Senate holdouts (a good friend referred to them as the "Diva Three") have finally cut their deal and pledged their support to malcolm Smith who will indeed be the next Majority Leader of the New York State Senate. Liz has the goods:
The leadership battle that has frozen the Senate since Election Day is over, and the three renegade senators known as the Gang of Three have all pledged to support Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith for majority leader in exchange for an agreement that will result in what Sen. Carl Kruger called "significant and historic reform" of how the chamber operates.
...
I called Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr., and he confirmed: "It's over. It's a done deal. We agreed."
But what about gay marriage - Diaz's signature issue and the one thing he said he absolutely wouldn't abide coming to the floor?
The senator refused to tell me anything about what kind of deal Smith struck on that (recall that Diaz said he wanted a written pledge that whoever he supported for leader would not bring a bill legalizing same-sex marriage). The only thing he would say was: "I'm comfortable that everything's going to be OK."
Diaz said all three of the gang members, including Senator-elect Pedro Espada Jr., were present at a meeting with Smith that lasted most of the afternoon.
Sorry, Dean. The calvary was never coming. You were never going to pick these folks off. You were never going to become Pedro Espada's Deputy ML.
I'd like to congratulate Senator Smith. He worked his tail off to get this majority and he's been working hard to prepare his caucus for the transition from the minority. And now it is time to deliver.
I both support the Senator and expect big things from him. That said, it's now put up or shut up time. For decades, the NY State Senate has been where reform went to die. There are no more excuses now. The people of this state have waited far too long for the type of leadership on these issues. We deserve better and we expect it, Senator.
Best of luck. |
