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In a stunning turn of events, the Republicans appear to have taken back control of the State Senate after two Democratic senators defected and voted to place new leaders in control of the legislative body. Senators Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada, Jr., of Queens and the Bronx respectively, joined GOP senators in a 32-30 vote to make Espada temporary president of the Senate and Republican Dean Skelos the new Majority Leader.
Republicans sent a statement to the press stating, "A new bipartisan, coalition is being established that is bringing real reform to the Senate right now." After the vote, the in-house TV station went dark and all that appeared on the screen was a still photo of the Senate chamber and the words “Please stand by.” Liz Benjamin of the News quipped, "So much for the revolution being televised."
She also reports that "an observer in the Senate chamber tells me Skelos was sitting in (Malcolm) Smith's chair with a BIG smile on his face and Smith was nowhere to be seen." While it's not fully clear what specifically ignited the motion to strip power away from Smith, it appears that it may have been prompted by a handshake deal he had with the Gang of Four, the Democratic senators who originally considered challenging Smith's rise to Majority Leader in November, not to bring a same-sex marriage bill to the floor.
Monserrate and Espada Jr. were two of the Gang's four members, along with Senators Ruben Diaz and Carl Kruger. When Diaz was asked if he would join a group to support the GOP, he said, "Today? No. Tomorrow? Who knows? Tomorrow is another day. It's always another day. You ask me do I plan to do that. I say, no. In the future, who knows what the future brings." Keep in mind that Monserrate was indicted for beating his girlfriend (a charge he denies) while Espada is being investigated by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo over whether Espada used his non-profit to promote his political campaigns. Oh, and Espada doesn't even really live in his Bronx district.
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"Who knows what the future brings."
Flip-floppy words for someone who seemingly has strong convictions on gay marriage.
Those four guys are some true Mafioso-style thugs.
And Monserrate is a woman-beating p*ssy.
It's only a matter of time before they get what's coming to them.
"Four men in a cell".
These guys weren't with us on housing, the MTA, or LGBT rights. I predict that 2010 will be a rough year for them when they run for re-election. I'm hoping that Diaz and Kruger will be dumb enough to follow suit.
The GOP is just delaying the inevitable, and re-enforcing the perception that Albany is a shady, corrupt snakepit.
I'm hoping that Diaz and Kruger will be dumb enough to follow suit.
Oh I agree. I'm dusting off the votive candles, the rosary, and the Latin text in the hopes of making this miracle come true.
wasn't monserrate taken in for beating his girlfriend?
JK, he was. wonder what eric adams thinks of this, I usually see them together at press conferences.
What a bunch of self-serving pricks. Nice to know we owe much of the current (and future) dysfunction in Albany to their personal, reactionary stance on gay rights.
You can bet that there was one huge pay day for the deserters, or lack of one by the Democrats.
Malcolm Smith has been officially reamed up the ass. That's what you get for making Faustian deals with homophobes, abusive boyfriends, hypocrites, and incomprehensible half-wits.
They are both under investigation
They are both under investigation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8zvtYOd6Pg&feature=related
Pedro Espada attacks journalist.
Fucking politics...on both sides.
I feel disgusting and pathetic knowing that my taxes pay these assholes salaries!
My take on this is irrational rationality. The Democratic party is so corrupt and incompetent in New York State, including the city, that although I am a life long Dem., I am content to have republicans rule. At this point, it is better to disagree and be disappointed with the politicians in power than agree and be disappointed.
The only thing I hate more than republicans is corrupt and incompetent Democrats. I would blame this situation squarely in the Dem circle, as they have squandered their opportunity, with the governorship, and now the Senate. In the new world of the Obama era, New York establishment Democrats are dinosaurs.
It was mostly about the gay marriage bill. I guess I get to vote on it via referendum.
I've been in the market for a new home and I can tell you I will not be looking for one in New York. Screw this state. Taxed on everything short of the air we breath and you've got one of the most disfunctional governments in the nation. No state government is perfect but this is beyond ridiculous.
See ya Empire State I'll take my tax money elsewhere.
If you listen quietly you can hear our founding fathers rolling over in their graves........... My grandchildren (13) and great-grandchildren (4) will have to pay for this whole mess. I hate to think I have to leave this mess for them to clean up. I can only try to do something to leave them with the real values of life.
Monserrate doesn't get angry, he gets stabby: first his girlfriend's face, next his constituency's back.
LMFAO - oh to hear the howls and groans from the extremists is joy and music to my ears - this spending, lack of moral principles, overbearing, narrow-minded, socialist era is coming to an end and, like many movements, is beginning in New York - now all you reptiles on the left eat that sandwich and smile - now its going national and revenge is the coldest cut of them all...hahahahahaha, what a bunch of losers you truly are