| It is official, as Phillip told us earlier: The deal with the "Gang of Three" is no more.
This is a good day for Sen. Malcolm Smith. Here's why:
- You can never allow three people to have what they want and then turn to the rest of the group and say that they can have what's left. That is what happened with the Senate Democrats. It would be like having the three biggest eaters in your family at the head of the line for Thanksgiving dinner. There needed to be common sense in the process. If these three senators need to be persuaded to vote for a Democrat, then they don't deserve the attention.
- The ball is now in Ruben Diaz Sr., Pedro Espada Jr. and Carl Kruger's court. What they do now isn't as a gang, but rather as individuals. If they choose to vote for a Republican majority leader, they will no longer be senators in 2010. They might think differently, but I think they will be gone. And I will help make sure that happens.
- This line in Sen. Smith's press release was a direct shot at Diaz: "Furthermore, real reform cannot and should not ever include limiting the civil rights of any New Yorkers. Those issues must be part of the legislative process." Like I have said time and time again, Diaz has the constitutional right to vote "no" against any bill that advocates for marriage equality. No one is preventing him from voting no. But to try and negotiate a bill off the table isn't democratic, nor is it Democratic.
- Let's face it: The original deal was a jab at many Democratic senators, especially for upstate senators. Sen. Bill Stachowski deserves to be chair of the powerful Finance Committee. Hopefully now he will have that opportunity.
- This whole process does, however, raise some serious questions about Sen. Smith's ability to lead. He needs to be strong and, when necessary, forceful. Even if that means being in the minority for another two years, never throw away your principles for leadership and power. It seemed to me that Sen. Smith had his eyes on being the most powerful man in the Senate and was willing to make a deal with anyone. But then when he had to go back and answer to the other 28 Democrats, they let him know how bad of a deal it was. It was a wake up call and hopefully he learned a great lesson.
The future of the New York State Senate is uncertain. With these three senators out on their own island, we don't know who will be in the majority come January 1. What is clear is that the "Gang of Three" won't be supporting Malcolm Smith anytime soon. That might mean two more years in the minority for the Democrats, but at least we get to keep our dignity. |
