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I don't know what is going on behind closed doors regarding control of the New York State Senate, but I've just learned that a deal between Majority Leader-Designate Smith and three "Democratic" dissidents, namely Sen.-elect Pedro Espada, Jr, Sen. Ruben Diaz, and Sen. Carl Kruger, fell through.In short, the so-called "gang of three" wanted to appoint Senator-ELECT Espada as Majority Leader, block gay marriage from being introduced, and appoint one of them to chair the finance committee -in a time of budget crisis.
To make matters worse, their demands contain hints of homophobia and racism.
According to the Queens Tribune, Espada Jr is frightened in his boots about the "prospect of a black president, black governor, and black senate majority leader." Well. I wonder if I searched through articles on him whether I'd find similar statements in regards to white Presidents, white Governor, and white Senate Majority Leaders. Doubt it.
An affirmative diverse leadership is essential, but not any any one's expense.
Exactly who does Espada think Obama, Paterson and Smith work for? Black people? Please. This is not only racist, it's preposterous. It would be more understandable if the three didn't include Barack Obama and David Paterson, executives with no special "black" imprint or design. You can't have one when making policy for 300 million Americans, or 30 million New Yorkers.
Another dissident, Diaz, is quoted as saying "The gays are calling my office. They're jamming my phones. They're going to see what we can do. They've going to see exactly what we can do... They're just going to see. That is what I'm telling you." This is the same guy who "compromised" to block gay marriage from reaching the floor.
No. Get it on the floor, build a coalition, and vote it down, if that's your legislative prerogative. Doesn't matter if you're pro or anti gay marriage. It should see the light of the Senate floor, if the Senators so chose.
Finally, these three are willing to cede control of a chamber to which Democrats have not controlled in over three decades, in order to shake down Malcolm Smith and other Democrats. How could their constituents, who voted FOR the democratic candidate, put up with such extortion? They are blocking necessary progressive legislation in the name of personal interests.
So, Malcolm Smith, thank you for standing your ground. You can't just give up the post of Majority leader, block your conference from bringing up gay marriage, and appoint a dissident as Finance chair without sacrificing your principles.
It's not that you aren't ready for prime-time, as Espada said; It may be that Diaz and his gang aren't ready for mature compromise politics.
