Posted on 06/08/2009 11:48:50 PM PDT by neverdem
Malcolm Smith Ousted As Senate Majority Leader; Dems Turn Off Lights, Cut Internet Power In Attempt To Stop Coup
Paterson Goes Ballistic: I'm Here To Stand Up For Democracy
That was the big question Monday night following a political standoff in Albany.
The Republicans said they pulled off a coup, snatching power away from the Senate majority, but the Democrats said it was illegal and that they're still in control of the Legislature.
And the whole thing has Gov. David Paterson lashing out at lawmakers.
It was a carefully crafted coup -- five weeks in the making, with independent Tom Golisano in on the plotting.
And when it was over Republican Sen. Dean Skelos of Rockville Center was back in power as Senate Majority Leader. Dumped was former Democratic leader Malcolm Smith.
"I want to thank Pedro and Hiram," Skelos said. "I know the difficult votes you did today. But they did the right thing and I want to thank Tom Golisano, who certainly has been a leader."
The thank yous to Pedro Espada and Hiram Monserrate were because the two controversial Democrats crossed party lines and voted for Skelos to lead the Senate. The flip of the senators give Republicans a 32-30 edge in the chamber.
During the coup, Democrats fled the chamber, turned out the lights, and cut off the Internet feed of chamber proceedings, leaving Republicans and their two Democratic friends to take the vote in the dark.
A media advisory released by Mark Hansen, a spokesman for the Senate's GOP conference, foreshadowed the shake-up: "An historic change in leadership is taking place at this moment and a new bipartisan, coalition is being established that is bringing real reform to the Senate RIGHT NOW."
Smith was elected Temporary President and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate in January of 2009, becoming the first African-American Majority Leader in New York State history and the first Democratic leader in almost 40 years.
Conversely, Monserrate was recently indicted for beating his girlfriend. And who can forget Espada, who represents the Bronx and lives in Mamaroneck. He put on an orange ski hat when CBS 2 HD confronted him outside his home.
And then when we went to Albany to get answers from Espada all he could do was laugh off our questions and then accuse us of behaving inappropriately.
This is what Espada had to say about the coup and his decision to join:
"At the end of the day what you witnessed today may be characterized as a power grab – a coup. But please understand this is a new beginning for New York state, a new beginning of bipartisan government," Espada said.
Smith didn't see it that way. He said the coup was illegal and he was still the majority leader, although he only has about two dozen Democrats with him not the 32 he claims to have.
"Let's just be real clear. The Senate Democrats are still in the majority. Senator Malcolm Smith is still the majority leader," Smith said.
Paterson addressed the issue Monday night at a news conference and made it clear he's furious.
"I should be standing here talking to you about the issues that the people need Albany to address. Once again Albany's dysfunction has raised its ugly head," Paterson said. "I came here today to stand up for everyone in this state who still believes in a democracy -- that there are perimeters in which we govern, that Albany can be more than the dysfunctional wreck it has become over the years. And I don't care if the only one standing, but someone has got to stand up and say that this is wrong.
"The last two weeks of session is not the time when we conduct campaigns. It is not the time when we elect leaders. It is not the time for politics. It is the time for governance."
Right now we have a real standoff.
Skelos and Espada took their oaths of office -- and get this: if something happens to Gov. Paterson, Espada, as president pro tempore of the Senate, fills in.
Both sides will contest the other, with the Democrats saying the move is illegal because the session was already gaveled out.
In the end it will likely end up in the courts.
Stay with WCBSTV.com for more on this developing story.
Thread Bump.
If Dems took over it would be “Change comes to the New York Senate.” But here it’s a takeover! Body snatchers! YOU’RE NEXT!!!!!
Heh...good description! If this holds up, I will be one happy Camper...(and I don’t camp out)...
I love how Paterson talks about the dysfunction in Albany, when the rats have been in charge of the Gov. office. So really, no leadership from the governors office.
How do people get any work done in New York? It’s always somethin’ up there...
These kinds of shenanigans have occurred in a couple of other states recently. In general my impression has been that GOP-to-Dem party-switchers have been reprehensible power-greedy RINOs while Dem-to-GOP switchers have been motivated by disgust with their own party’s corruption and venality. But in this case I’m not so sure — I have a bad impression of the switchers, who sound unprincipled to me.
I wasn't impressed either, but the Lord works in mysterious ways. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
New York: Status of Anti-Gun Bills Uncertain as Balance of Power Changes in Albany
FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.
Well, being on the Left Coast...I sure wish OUR *cough* elected officials wouldn't get any work done either!
It appears as though Golisano made it worth their while to switch.
Nothing will change much nationally until we have a viable conservative 3rd party.
Absolutely wrong. A third party will not get off the ground unless an incumbent (and popular) President switches to that third party and takes the voters with him. Barring that amazing occurrence, a third party will do nothing but give the left permanent power. No ifs ands or buts. A third party is only relevant (and important) to politically junkies. Common citizens barely have the time to check their kids’ homework, let alone have to spend weeks and weeks learning about a third party.
You have to change our party from within. It’s not difficult IF we find a young and energetic leader who is not in it for elective position, but is instead in it to build the party. Once a conservative is in leadership of the party and the grassroots is clearly controlled by that leader, it’s simply a matter of telling congressman and senators that if they do not actively seek out our platform of ideals and legislation, they will not receive funding and will not be allowed to run as a GOP candidate.
We need to look at this as a 12 year project or longer - just as ACORN and SOROS have viewed their project to destroy capitalist America and recreate it in the image of everyone sharing the misery equally with Soros flying around petting the poor on their heads as if he’s the great giver and grandfather of the people.
No third parties. Third party talk will only make those frustrated with the GOP NOT VOTE. This is what gave us Obama, gave us Clinton, and will give us the next liberal leader - if the country makes it through this episode.
Stress is building on traditional Democrats right now. They support liberalism only as far as it can go before it actually impacts their lives. We’re at that point now - or very close. When non-liberal Democrats are pushed to the brink, they want the country governed as they live their lives - which is center-right to right.
As of late I haven't any real differences between the two parties with the exception of a few people here and there...then there's Sarah.
So lets see what these clowns do. Maybe there will be some improvements. Still, I can hardly get excited about "socialist light".
I wish this would happen in Chicago.....never mind, 49 of the 50 alderman are democratic.....
Chyrsler case in point.
The bright side to a truly viable always conservative 3rd party it keeps politicians operating in a more honest fashion and closes the door on under the table behind closed doors cross the aisle deals that screw the US citizen. Shamnesty comes to mind for one big issue, not to mention spending, tax increases, energy policy and foreign policy.
I respect your opinion, but look at the recent amount of party switching at the national level. RINO's dominate the GOP now.
And when two Donks wander off the Plantation in NY, they are anti-democratic usurpers.
I love this quote from the article...
Smith was elected Temporary President and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate in January of 2009, becoming the first African-American Majority Leader in New York State history and the first Democratic leader in almost 40 years.
Conversely, Monserrate was recently indicted for beating his girlfriend. And who can forget Espada, who represents the Bronx and lives in Mamaroneck. He put on an orange ski hat when CBS 2 HD confronted him outside his home
So, why is being an African American the converse of beating your girlfriend, defrauding voters or (shudder...) wearing an orange ski hat? It is not related at all. There is this notion that being the first African American (Fill-In-The-Blank) imbues a politician with all sorts of wonderful qualities, which are just assumed.
Thanks for the ping, neverdem.
The only problem with all of this is - in New York - how exactly do you tell the difference between a Republican and a democrat?
And in the end - all the decisions come down to 3 guys regardless of how many are sitting out there raising their hands.
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