Friday, December 5, 2008

'Gang of Three' Dems' Pissing Contest Over

Yes folks, the 'Gang of Three' Dems pissing contest with Albany is finally over... And it turns out that our neighbor, Pedro Espada Jr., can piss the farthest.

After a "handshake deal" yesterday afternoon, the New York Times reports the following agreement:

"Mr. Smith would be elected president pro tempore, a constitutional office that makes him the chamber’s leader. Mr. Espada would be elected to what would be the subordinate post of majority leader and appointed vice chairman of the Rules Committee, which must approve all legislation that goes through the Senate. The agreement makes Mr. Espada arguably the most influential Hispanic elected official in New York." [New York Times]

Well, I guess we now know why Mr. Espada didn't have time to appear for his already re-scheduled appearance at our local Bedford Mosholu Community Association meeting. Many of Mr. Espada's constituents present at the meeting were looking forward to hearing from him, but were disappointed to learn he sent a representative to speak in his place.

No worries... We the people understand that wheeling and dealing in Albany and trading votes for titles and power are more important than meeting with the people you claim to represent, Mr. Espada. Since I can't seem to catch you at the local community meetings, maybe I'll see you in the Bainbridge House lobby one of these days and we can chat about our collective hopes for our community.

Here are some linky-loos to coverage of this story:
3 Senate Democrats End Holdout in Return for Power Sharing [New York Times]
Dem rebs' secret power-share deal [New York Post]
Elizabeth Bejamin's 'The Daily Politics' [Daily News]

*Photo courtesy of Rob Bennett/NY Times*
~ErLu

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