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We all know what happened today. Regardless of what becomes of the parliamentary procedural game, what the two former Democrats did today is unacceptable and wrong. When I found out, I wanted to bang my head against the wall until I would realize this was all a bad dream. But it's not. This coup embodies everything that is wrong with Albany- a major development brokered through a backroom deal, legislators putting their personal gain ahead of the good of the state, elected politicians directly defying the will of the people who elected them, unqualified, corrupt scions rising to the upper echelons of power not for merit but for shady deals about power; it's all there.
While it may feel good to just sit and curse the traitors, Hiram Monserratte and Pedro Espada Jr., we should all take a deep breath, and refocus that anger into removing these pathetic, spineless, selfish losers from office in 2010.
So here are some steps we should all be taking now:
1. First and foremost, tomorrow every one of us should contact the chairs of the Bronx (for Espada) and Queens (for Monserratte) Democratic Committees and ask them for a commitment that under no circumstances will the committee put either Senator up for the Party's nomination in 2010.
Contact info:
The Bronx Democratic County Committee
Office: 718.931.5200
Fax: 718.792.3882
Info@BronxDemocrat.org
Queens Democratic Committee
Chair: Hon. Joseph Crowley
Phone: 718-268-5100
Fax: 718-268-7363
2. Identify and support primary challengers to these two jokers. I think John Sabini, Monseratte's predecessor in Senate Seat before Paterson appointed him to chair the Racing and Wagering Board would be an ideal choice. Espada's predecessor, whom he beat in the 2008 primary, Efrain Gonzales, is corrupt and wouldn't be ideal. So if anybody knows and good potential challenger, please drop a comment.
Once we have primary opponents declared we can start gathering donations and volunteers for them, but until then, I think Actblue should set up Nominee funds so we can donate to challengers before we have picked them yet.
3. If you're a blogger, googlebomb them. Hiram Monserratte and Pedro Espada Jr. have some very serious skeletons in their closets that their voters should be more aware of. Let's make sure the causal voter checking out the google knows about these things.
Once there are viable challengers identified, we can do much more, like knocking on doors and all the great grassrooty volunteer stuff. But for now, these steps should suffice.
Remember: revenge is a dish best served cold. 2010 will be cold, cold year for Espada and Monserratte. We can make certain of that.
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