Bringing Republicans out of their bunker

by: simonstl

Mon Jun 22, 2009 at 08:48:16 AM EDT

While Democrats outside of the leadership have acknowledged flaws in how things were run and promised greater change, I've not found much chatter like that from Republicans. (I'd really like to be wrong - if anyone's seen such talk, let me know!)

For now, Republican Senators seem to have hunkered down with the leadership, staying in a parallel universe where somehow President Pro Tempore Pedro Espada and Majority Leader Dean Skelos can munificently preside over a 31-31 split Senate, just because they say they can. Apparently no one is worried about the implications of this for 2010, or for getting much done in the short term either. (All I can find from my own Republican Senator are these comments from back on the 11th.)

I've suggested that the answer to this breakdown may come from the backbenchers rather than the leadership, but the backbenchers taking the initiative - and then falling back - all seem to be Democrats. Not counting the original switch of Monserrate and Espada, Duane and Aubertine seem to have come closest.

So what's sustaining Republican unity? Is it sheer party loyalty? Is it the togetherness of the last stand, knowing that even their gerrymandered districts can protect them for so long? Is it patronage, the hope of reversing the Democrats' hires and replacing them with their own people? The sense that sticking together worked in the past, so why change now? Pride? Contempt for the Democrats? Tom Golisano? The threat of their local party machinery turning against them? I don't get the sense that they're actually all that fond of Pedro Espada.

But much more important, what might entice them out of the suicidal position their leadership is claiming? I don't think Paterson can appoint State Senators to the many open posts, even some of the vital ones, and expect them to accept.

What might bring them out of their bunker, into a functioning State Senate with room for two genuinely participating parties?

I suggested earlier that decentralizing Senate power might ease things, for members of both parties, but given the silence I'm hearing from Republicans, I don't think they're going to move forward soon on that basis.

A Question Inspired by the Commentariat

by: robinia

Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 09:03:48 AM EDT

Monserrate wants someone to pay for the legal bills. To even have that discussion is a federal crime.

I had just finished commenting about how corrupt this whole process appeared, although, with everything happening in secret cabals at Red Square and behind closed doors in the Capitol, it is hard to tell.  I was looking for the FBI to ride to the rescue, a la Joe Bruno case (and as per NYCO's classic statement that

if NYS were a third world country, the Feds would have already invaded and installed a democracy.)

But, wait, we actually do have some separation of powers here in NYS still.... and, you know, I think that Andrew Cuomo actually has an open case on Espada, no?  Yo, Andrew, can you please subpeona all records or witnesses to these secret meetings, and make them testify about what, if any, deals involving his legal problems Espada was trying to cut?  FBI, you could go for same on Monserrate, either under existing Bruno investigation, or, give the slasher his own Federal case, if multiple felony counts aren't bad-boy 'nuf fer him.

A legal means to remove the most corrupt Senate politicians would be an excellent way to give NYers a real chance at a new start.

Was Hillary's US Senate seat a part of the State Senate deal?

by: Amherst Guy

Fri Dec 05, 2008 at 11:41:49 AM EST

i have some evidence, starting with this bizarre quote:

Shortly after the conclusion of the meeting, one of the holdout senators - who is getting a influential job out of the deal - told The Buffalo News that he now supports an upstater getting the Clinton seat.

"I think upstate has given something and will get something much more powerful if I have anything to do with it," said Sen.-elect Pedro Espada Jr., D-Bronx.

"I will urge that the next U. S. senator come from upstate," Espada added, noting that all the major seats of power in the state are held by downstate Democrats.

Moving on to the correct-52%-of-the-time-which-is-better-than-just-guessing-Joe Illuzzi:

UPDATE: I am not going to get into it, however, there is NO doubt that Hil's senate seat was part of the discussions between Golisano, Paterson, et al. at the NYC University Club Thursday. ###

Further compounded by the strange silence coming from Upstate's political leadership...

If it's from upstate, and its a deal cut by Steve Pigeon "Tom Golisano", than its Byron Brown. Which is how they'll keep Senator Thompson on the ship - he'd be in line for Mayor.

Interesting at the least...

SD-54: Golisano Endorses Capanna

by: robinia

Mon Sep 22, 2008 at 11:02:35 AM EDT

Capanna Wins Endorsement of Golisano's Responsible New York!

(Webster, NY) -  Paloma Capanna, candidate for the NYS Senate (D, WFP, Webster) today released the news that she has been endorsed by Responsible New York, founded by Mr. Thomas B. Golisano to support candidates who "put the People first."

"It is a privilege to receive an endorsement from such an important local leader, a leader both in business and in philanthropy," said Capanna.  "The concerns of Responsible New York have been and will continue to be the priorities of our campaign, including responsible state budgeting, real estate tax reform with an end to unfunded mandates, and campaign finance reform."

Golisano endorsed 39 candidates on August 23, 2008, of which only 8 are challengers, from both Parties.

Capanna's opponent has been in office for 28-years, but has been unopposed since 1992.

I really like Paloma Capanna, even more so now that I have heard her speak a couple of times and met her.  And, I view Nozzolio as an unmitigated evil and a threat to NYS's future.  But, I have to admit, even though I am sure that the endorsement will help the cause, I just don't like Golisano throwing his weight around... and appropriating the idea of standing for responsibility.

Whatever it takes, I guess.  Congrats, Paloma.

Money Matters-- Golisano Throws Lots At Senate Challengers

by: robinia

Tue Jul 01, 2008 at 10:59:13 AM EDT

As we don't have any campaign finance reform, this is big news.  The report is crediting "unnamed sources close to Golisano," but being pretty specific.

Golisano will be supporting Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst (D) in her bid to unseat State Sen. Dale Volker (R-Erie), former boxer Joe Mesi (D) in his primary bid to succeed retiring Sen. Mary Lou Rath (R-Erie) and former State Sen. Rick Dollinger (D-Monroe) in his bid to unseat Sen. Joe Robach (R-Monroe), though Golisano is unlikely to announce these specific candidates at his press conference next week.

Robert, this is going to mess with your rankings!

What does it mean that billionaire Golisano is picking up where Eliot Spitzer left off on the bankrolling-Senate-challengers stuff?