Sellouts, Hustlers, Embarrassments

This video comes to us via PolitickerNY.com. In it, the usually controversial Brooklyn City Councilman, Charles Barron, tells us what he really thinks of Espada and Monserrate. BD's favorite quote: "These are hustlers hustling hustlers."


At least someone's being honest about how selfish, unethical, and cowardly these two clowns behaved. And I also agree that we cannot allow either of these two to be re-elected in 2010.

~ErLu

Monserrate Getting Cold Feet? Coup in Jeopardy?

It looks like Hiram Monserrate might be getting cold feet (or ambition for a better purchase price for his vote). The Daily Intel is reporting that Monserrate has been having meetings with several Democrats in Albany (Eric Schneiderman, Carl Kruger, Bill Perkins, and Malcolm Smith's heir-apparent, John Sampson) and that a deal might be developing that would spell the end of this short lived Republican coup in the state senate. In any outcome it seems that Malcolm Smith will lose his leadership position for not being able to herd his party's votes, not foreseeing these machinations right under his nose, and for texting during a meeting with a billionaire patron.

Even more serious are reports that President Obama himself has put calls into both Senators Espada and Monserrate to convince them to return the tender bosom of the Democratic caucus.

BD prediction: Monserrate defects back to the Dems with a balance shifting Republican and John Sampson is elected Majority Leader. Does anyone know what happens if only only Monserrate comes back and it's 31-31? Who holds the tie-breaking vote with no lieutenant Governor?

~ErLu

The Traitorous Two: Espada the Snake and Monserrate the Accused Felon

The world of State Senate politics in Albany has been turned on its head by that nefarious lout, Pedro Espada Jr. Mr. Espada has betrayed the people of the 33rd district who voted for a Democratic majority in the State Senate. When I called Espada's office to let Mr. Espada know how angry I am with him, I was told that he hadn't changed parties. Mr. Espada has a funny way of showing it.

Mr. Espada and and Queens Senator, Hiram Monserrate, who happens to be up on felony assault charges for allegedly attacking his girlfriend, teamed up to become "the traitorous two." Nice company to keep Mr. Espada. I am officially ashamed to live in a state where this can happen.

Maybe we know now why Mr. Espada still hasn't opened up a district office; he was busy betraying the people who elected him to garner personal power for himself. He now claims to be the President of the Senate Pro Tempore. This is scary stuff.

At least Majority Leader Malcolm Smith is crying foul and claiming that the procedure used was illegal. As far as Mr. Smith is concerned, the Democrats are still in power and he is still Majority leader. Here is a blurb from his statement:

“This was an illegal and unlawful attempt to gain control of the Senate and reverse the will of the people who voted for a Democratic Majority. Nothing has changed, Senator Malcolm A. Smith remains the duly elected Temporary President and Majority Leader. The real Senate Majority is anxious to get back to governing, and will take immediate steps to get us back to work.”

Not only does Mr. Espada probably not live in the district, nor does he have an office open here, but now he even sold the district out so that the can aggregate more power and lulus.

I am disgusted to have Senator Espada as my representative. We'll see how this all plays out. It's sure to be a top grade Albany soap opera.

~ErLu