This year, we’re looking at the real possibility — probability — of giving Governor Patterson the luxury of Democratic majorities in both the Assembly and the Senate to work with.
There are more reasons for that than the fact that, as Democrats, we’d like to elect Democrats.
As New Yorkers, we want to see a real effort at reforming the way things are done in Albany.
Check out this video, to get a crash course in how things happen in our state capital:
So, let’s run with that ‘winds of change’ cliche and say that those winds of change seem to have blown Mr. Bruno right out of the State Senate.
Yes, you read that right. The news came down last night: Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno will not seek re-election this year.
The New York Times reports that there may be any number of reasons for the sudden announcement, although they say that exhaustion from the pending federal investigation into his “outside business interests” was not one of them.
Yeah, whatever.
The story also mentions criticism leveled at Mr. Bruno “[a]fter the Senate Republicans lost a key special election in February.” That would be a reference to that wonderful upset victory by Darrell Aubertine that was still sending us all to bed with smiles on our faces right through April.
No doubt Bruno realized that he wouldn’t be Majority Leader after the election in November. He only had a one-seat edge and we all know he’s going to be losing it very shortly.
Speaking of this, by the way, a June 12 Quinnepac Poll found that 51% of respondents want to see the Democrats take control of the Senate, while only 35% said it should remain in Republican hands. We have some really terrific candidates like Don Barber and Paloma Capanna and, as TAP pointed out recently, upstate may very well hand the Senate to Democrats all by itself.
Much to the State GOP’s surprised chagrin, I’m sure.
On behalf of Chairwoman Sheila Comar and the Washington County Democrats, here is some information about two petition campaigns that are taking place to urge the Democratic superdelegates to use their vote at the Convention to support the candidate who wins the popular vote.
Remember Florida??? There is still time to be certain that our political representatives do the right thing!
These petitions do not endorse anyone — just request that the superdelegates honor the popular vote. Both can be submitted. This could well be the most significant issue of the coming convention — regardless of whom each of us supports going into this event. Feel free to pass them on to others — anywhere in the country.
Also a reminder: Darrell Aubertine, a fellow Democrat, is running for the NYS Senate in the 48th District. Find out how you can help at Darrel’s web site. You can also view Darrel’s Commercials, Media, etc. here.
The New York primaries may be over but the campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination continues.
Supporters of Hillary Clinton take note: A group is organizing to continue working to promote Senator Clinton as the Democratic nominee called Rural NYers for Hillary. You can find them online here (opens in a new window).
Instructions:
1. Click on the link to access the Rural NYers for Hillary page
2. Click “Join Group”
3. Create an account username and password
Supporters for Barack Obama take note: Similarly, there is a local group in support of Senator Obama’s campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination called Oneonta For Obama, which is available online here (opens in a new window).
Instructions:
1. Click on the link to access the Oneonta for Obama page
Leon Kalmus (of the Otego County Democratic Committee and the NYS Democratic Committee) is having a meeting of supporters of Barak Obama in order to 1) exhibit the existence of an Obama constituency 2) develop or adopt a program for promotion, i.e. letters to the editor, rallies and connection to other similar groups 3) ask for donations to the Obama campaign, to be sent the Obama campaign collectively by us, and 4) drink coffee.
We will be meeting at the Neptune Diner in Oneonta (Route 23, Southside) on February 2nd at 10 a.m. Please RSVP to kalmus4 [at] verizon.net
