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We all read this blog because we care about our state's government. We waited for Democrats to take back Albany and then, when they did, everything seemed to go to pot. We're mad as hell, and we claim we're not going to take it anymore.
The key word there is "claim." There's a great deal of hullabaloo about not just challenging Republicans, but taking on "bad Democrats." I'm all for this. Hell, I can't wait for challengers to emerge--but that's the thing. We're a year out, and we, as the concerned citizens who only want to fix our state government, continue to spin our wheels. Perhaps I'm over-eager, but I feel that if serious primary challenges are going to happen to senators such as Diaz, Kruger, Espada, etc... (and tomorrow's vote should give us some further indication) we need to start looking for candidates now.
The New York Democratic Party remains an institution dominated by an entrenched (yet often ineffective) machine. If we want to grab the reins and right this ship, like national Democrats did over the past four years, we had better start planning in the very near future. Running a campaign is no easy business, and it's even harder to mount a primary challenge. This shouldn't be a pie in the sky hope: progressive representation is something that we New Yorkers deserve.
We, as a community of conscientious, liberal New Yorkers need to come together and develop a uniform list of good, progressive primary challengers. If you live in a district that is often said to be in need of a primary shake-up, find somebody who you think would do your district justice and let us all know. Even if we don't live in your district, we will care and give support to any deserving candidate. No matter where you live, I think we can all realize that the road to a better State Senate doesn't just run through our own districts. It runs from Buffalo to Brooklyn, from Syracuse to Staten Island, from Rochester to Westchester.
Our time is now. Our job begins today. Who will help us take control of our state? |
