Bronx Democrat, State Sen. Espada, Switches To GOP

WABC TV ^ | February 4, 2002 | Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press

[southern rock]

Bronx Democrat, State Sen. Espada, Switches To GOP

(Albany-AP, February 4, 2002) — State Sen. Pedro Espada of the Bronx switched Monday from being a Democrat to a Republican and joined the GOP majority in the Senate. Espada signed a new voter enrollment form at a state Capitol news conference surrounded by his family and his new Republican colleagues in the Senate.

Espada, who was first elected to the Senate in 1992, said he was joining the Republican majority not only to improve his own stature in the Senate but also for the good of his mostly minority constituents in the Bronx. He described his district as one of the most underprivileged in the state Senate.
"We are tired of being poor," Espada said. "We are tired of being powerless."

Espada's addition boosts the Republicans' advantage in the Senate to 36-23 with two open seats to be decided during special elections Feb. 12.

It also takes some pressure off majority Republicans to win what has been a hard-fought and high-spending campaign in one of those special elections, in Manhattan, between Republican state Assemblyman John Ravitz and Democrat Liz Krueger.

Democrats are expected to easily claim the other seat, which was given up by Brooklyn Democrat Marty Markowitz.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[southern rock]

I post this simply to pose a question to all the big-tent, "make new Republicans at all costs" crowd. The Freepers who are thrilled with all the "wooing" and the supposedly high numbers of new registered Republicans.

Honestly, do you believe that this guy has become the least bit more conservative? Do you believe he is suddenly for less taxes, and smaller, constitutional government? Has he changed one bit?

Welcome to the new Republican party.

[GraniteStateConservative]

If the committee chairs are more conservative than liberal, then his joining the GOP keeps the more conservative leadership in power.

Just like having Leahy and not Hatch running the Senate Judiciary.

[strela]

I feel the same way about this guy that I do about Jim Jeffords. You dance with who brung ya, and its a cheat to the will of the voters to switch political affiliations like this in mid-term.

And, just as I wouldn't trust Jim Jeffords to be dogcatcher ever again, I wouldn't trust Espada either. If Espada wants to be a Republican, let him run as one and be elected as one.

[anniegetyourgun]

Do you really believe that anything that passes for "conservative" in NY is recognizable as that anywhere else in the country? Politically speaking, the entire state is an anomaly....and an anathema.

[SolitaryMan]

The new mayor of New York City is endorsing pro-abortion, pro-gay rights, pro-gun grabbing state senators too.

[Oschisms]

pro-abortion, pro-gay rights, pro-gun grabbing state senators too.

Democrat or Republican? Here in NYC, that set of beliefs covers every candidate running for every office. Sigh.

[SolitaryMan]

Assemblyman John Ravitz (R), hear the commercials on WABC during Hannity's show.

[Oschisms]

Well, the alternative in that race is Liz Kreuger- who holds the exact same views, plus she's a proven liar from her ads in the last race. (vs. "Red" Roy Goodman)

[rmlew]

Just once, I would like to see the Conservative Party run a candidate here, if only to enliven things and piss offf the NY Times. The Libertarian PArty is runing Jack Karako, but aside from stickers on lightposts, he is invisible.

I just received a flyer from Ravitz in the mail crowing about his pro-abortion, and anti-school choice vioting record.

It could be worse. I remember Roy Goodman's last flyer where he was running againsta bogey right-winger. I called his campaign to find out who it was so I could vote vote him.

The Democrat Candidate Liz "Nightmare on 60th Steet" Krueger is also running on the Working Family Party line. In other words, she is an open commie.

[samtheman]

Are you advocating a "little tent" Republican Party? Little tents are what the Taliban are reduced to living in, now that we've bombed their caves. Is that the kind of future you propose for the Republicans?

[rdb3]

No, the question is, "Do you want him to be?"

Why is it that when a person in a minority shows interest in the GOP, the rank and file of the GOP always looks at it as "suspect?"

[Malcolm]

The GOP is not an ultraconservative party, that's for sure. But the Democrats and Republicans are not identical twins either. Not every person in the GOP is conservative. I wish it were otherwise, but it isn't. Our choices are 1) a GOP that is somewhat conservative, or 2) a Democratic party that is very liberal. The dream of a USA governed by a true conservative party will never be realized. Its best to use what we now have, an electable Republican Party, and work as much as possible to influence it in a conservative direction. NY/NJ/NE is not the place to expect ultra-conservative Republicans to be elected anyway. Why have totally unrealistic expectations? Be glad we at least have the GOP. As liberal as the US was in the 60s and 70s, it's a miracle that it isn't like Canada and Europe at this point in time.....

[rmlew]

Teh NY Republican party is not conservative. It never reformed in 1964. New York was Rockefeller's. Instead, in 1961 the NY Conservative PArty was formed. The CP sometimes suppoprts a Republican or Democrat, or runs their own candidate. Jim Buckley and Al D'Amato were both elected as Cponservatives and later also joined the GOP.

[HateBill]

Hispanics in New York can be socially very conservative. They are *vehemently* opposed to the gay agenda. The real reason he switched may be because he's being pressured to vote "yes" to gay marriage, which, no doubt, will be part of the party platform in 2004. Immigrant communities in NY are far more conservative socially than the white liberals who run the Democratic Party.

[samtheman]

The GOP is not an ultraconservative party, that's for sure. But the Democrats and Republicans are not identical twins either. Not every person in the GOP is conservative. I wish it were otherwise, but it isn't. Our choices are 1) a GOP that is somewhat conservative, or 2) a Democratic party that is very liberal. The dream of a USA governed by a true conservative party will never be realized. Its best to use what we now have, an electable Republican Party, and work as much as possible to influence it in a conservative direction. NY/NJ/NE is not the place to expect ultra-conservative Republicans to be elected anyway. Why have totally unrealistic expectations? Be glad we at least have the GOP. As liberal as the US was in the 60s and 70s, it's a miracle that it isn't like Canada and Europe at this point in time.....

Worth repeating.

[southern rock]

Are you advocating a "little tent" Republican Party? Little tents are what the Taliban are reduced to living in, now that we've bombed their caves. Is that the kind of future you propose for the Republicans?

No. Let's just keep having Democrats turn Republican without changing a single view or policy. That's much better.

[hinckley buzzard]

I don't know how far back you mean to go, but the Republican party is a lot more conservative than it was, say, 40 years ago.

Remember too that when Barry Goldwater was heading for nomination in 1964, he had serious and ultimately crippling opposition from within, well before the LBJ bunch had at him in the general election.

Does "Scranton for President" ring a bell? How about "House Minority Leader Bob Michels?"

If this man wants to join up I say fine. At least he will further the idea that Hispanics have a home in the GOP. Then the more conservative among his fellows may be encouraged to join him next time around.

[firebrand]

Not exactly the same. Liz Krueger is a LOT farther left than Ravitz. She once said she thought there should be a food pantry on every corner. Plus her people are obnoxious. When we're handing out Ravitz material, they hear about it and come exactly where we are and jump in front of us when a person approaches to give the person a Krueger flyer first. Anyway, we don't ever want a Democrat majority in the State Senate. With both the Assembly and the Senate, it's bye-bye whatever hasn't already gone bye-bye.

[Torie]

That's intersting. It is rare that a politician becomes the first registered Pubbie in his district.

[samtheman]

hinckley buzzard, excellent points

Also, we shouldn't forget that to a certain extent there is a PR war going on, at all times, in the media. And despite the fact that there are some Republicans that are too liberal for our taste (too liberal for my taste too) it is always good news, and always good publicity, and ultimately good strategic strength, to have a Republican Majority that the scumbag press is forced to notice.