Republicans Seize Control of State Senate (New York)

The New York Times ^ | June 8, 2009, 3:50 pm | Jeremy W. Peters AND Danny Hakim

[Syncro]

Republicans Seize Control of State Senate

By Jeremy W. Peters AND Danny Hakim

Rob Bennett for The New York Times; Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times

Two state senators — Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens — moved to defect to the Republican side, which would end Democratic control of the chamber.

Updated, 6:20 p.m. | ALBANY – Republicans apparently seized control of the New York State Senate on Monday, in a stunning and sudden reversal of fortunes for the Democratic Party, which controlled the chamber for barely five months.

A raucous leadership fight erupted on the floor of the Senate around 3 p.m., with two Democrats, Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens, joining the 30 Senate Republicans in a motion that would displace Democrats as the party in control.

It was a noisy and acrimonious scene on the floor of the Senate as Senator Thomas W. Libous, a Republican from Binghamton and the party’s deputy leader, shouted for a roll-call vote, while Democrats attempted to stall the vote by asking to adjourn the session.

All 30 Republicans stood with their hands raised, signaling a vote for a change in leadership. Mr. Espada and Mr. Monserrate joined them, each raising his hand. Republicans won the vote by a 32-to-30 margin. The Senate will now be governed under a new joint leadership structure, with Mr. Espada serving as the president pro tempore, and Senator Dean G. Skelos, of Long Island, as the new majority leader.

[ReformationFan]

‘What amuses me is the whole “we captured it once, it’s ours for life” attitude some of the younger Dems seem to have. The pros have seen it all before.’

Indeed. The young have no knowledge of history and don’t seem to realize the folks get bored of anyone after a while.

[Theodore R.]

These two Democrats will be voted out at the next election, one can be sure. If there is anything certain, NY Democrats have tolerated no dissent at all since the days of Al Smith. People in NY believe in “the party”.

[Maelstorm]

This is just beautiful. Looks like no gay marriage for them this year.

[Theodore R.]

You’re right, a person in NY has to say he is liberal even if he is lying! The only exception to that was the long-time State Senator John Marchi.

[nickcarraway]

The Republican Senate under Bruno was a check on some of the potential excesses the Democrats may have taken.

[nickcarraway]

For example, it may forestall the charge for homosexual marriage.

[Alberta's Child]

I dunno about that.

Hiram Monserrate is the guy who has been indicted for domestic abuse and assault for allegedly slashing his girlfriend with a broken bottle last year.

His stay in the New York State senate may be a short one -- regardless of his party affiliation.

[NeoCaveman]

For example, it may forestall the charge for homosexual marriage.

I think that was part of the impetus for the switch.

[AndrewB]

Norman Fell

Pedro Espada (Left)

Coincidence? I think not...

[AmericanMermaid]

Maybe 2012 is coming a little earlier than expected. Woo hoo!!!!

[moose2004]

Skelos is a true conservative and Golisano is a deficit hawk, and those are facts.

[Tublecane]

“Republicans Seize Control of State Senate”

Discarded headlines:

Traitors Abet Republicans in Rape of State Senate

Republicans Lie, Cheat, and Steal Their Way to Power, Again

Republicans Assassinate Gay Rights Agenda

Democrats Flip Sides, Join in Oppression

Republicans to New York Gays: Drop Dead!

[Fitzy_888]

“The Senate will now be governed under a new joint leadership structure...”

So, now both parties will have a bloated leadership staff, we can bring back some of the patrons recently let go. 60-80k per year to order lunch sandwiches and browse the spiegel catalog -good work if you can get it.

[Cicero]

Now all we need to do is turn Republicans into conservatives...

Kind of like turning water into wine.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Hillary Clinton went on her listening tour years ago and said she would bring new jobs to upstate New York. What happened?

[fwdude]

The appalling bilge on the left was just getting to be too much for them.

[Syncro]

Yea, I said that with a straight face!

LOL

[nickcarraway]

Pun intended with, “straight.”

[Arguendo]

This is New York state politics; I’m not sure I’d go that far.

[ChicagoHebrew]

Indeed. But are they actually conservatives or just liberal Republicans in the tradition of the late NY GOP governor Nelson Rockefeller?

Worse. They are uber-corrupt liberal Democrats. They didn't split from their party over principle. They split because the GOP offered them even more goodies to send back to their district, and (it is believed) quiet some ethics complaints against them.