Chaos In Albany: GOP Coup Upsets Balance In Senate

I guess enough is enough. It's the first sign of common sense coming into play.

This is hot off the top of the Drudge Report.

wcbstv.com...

Malcolm Smith Ousted As Senate Majority Leader; Dems Turn Off Lights, Cut Internet Power In Attempt To Stop Coup
Paterson Goes Ballistic: I'm Here To Stand Up For Democracy

[edit on 9-6-2009 by j2000]

Mod Edit: All Caps – Please Review This Link.

[edit on 9 Jun 09 by Gools]

Republicans, who lost control of the New York State Senate last November have apparently regained control, and without an election!

The GOP power play involves two renegade Democrats and a billionaire businessman.

Welcome to New York politics.

What happened Monday night in Albany, a coup in the state Senate five weeks in the making, made for a unique kind of drama, pitting Senate Democrats against Republicans.

Out of power? Former Democratic State Senate President and Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.

"Let's just be real clear, the Senate Democrats are still in the majority," said Smith. "Malcolm Smith is still the majority leader."

Assuming those titles in a return to power is Senator Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre.

How did it happen? Democrats can thank their own: Pedro Espada of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens, who turned their backs on their fellow Democrats and joined with Republicans.

"I want to thank Pedro and Hiram. I know the difficult votes you did today (Monday) but they did the right thing and I want to thank Tom Golisano who certainly has been a leader," said Skelos.

In fact, it was upstate billionaire Tom Golisano who brokered the coup. Democrats intend to fight the powergrab in court, arguing, among other points, the Senate was adjourned when Republicans seized power.

"I don't care if I'm the only one standing, but someone has got to stand up and say that this is wrong," said Paterson.

For Espada and Monserrate, both of whom have legal troubles, the switch is intriguing.

During the coup, Democrats fled the chamber, turned out the lights, and cut off the Internet feed of chamber proceedings, leaving Republicans and their two Democratic friends to take the vote in the dark.

Turn the lights out and cut the power? Wow, they got really desperate!

The Democrats sure didn't argue when Specter became left the Republican party. Now its an outrage. I know I am comparing state and federal - but whats good for one should be ok for another.

I really would like to know how they are going to take the legislative body to court.

Wouldn't that undermine the authority of the congress to write laws? I think it is a knee jerk reaction personally, the dems go to acting like little kids because they are no longer in power.

Oh well, from what I saw somewhere else it seems the republicans can bring up there own laws on the books to charge the dems with, for turning out the lights and unplugging the internet.

Poolousey did the same thing in DC two months ago. This seems to be the childish tactics that the Dems fall back on when things don't go their way. Just like kids on the playground, they take the ball and go home crying to everybody that bothers to listen. Yup, Change you can be proud of!!

Zindo

I was speaking with a friend about this and he thought this was a good thing, I tend to agree. Maybe the Democrats are finally seeing that Obama Caters to anyone to get his way and democratic ideals are not on the top of his list.

The more people to oppose the socialist agenda the happier I am.

Maybe now they can balance their budget.
I know I don't want to pay for states that can't, or banks, or buisnesses.

Let them go under.

If they are "Too Big To Fail", that's the Govts fault for not using the laws on the books. Anti-trust and monopoly laws.

They need to make adjustments with those and that will keep our system running smooth.

reply to post by Tentickles


I would expect very few people in almost any level of politics these days associate themselves with Republicans or Democrats to be motivated by moral fortitude.

However as long as they are fighting with each other at least they are busy to keep screwing their constituents....

[edit on 9-6-2009 by Anonymous Avatar]

Albany Circus Act Continues
Dems Refuse To Recognize Espada As President Pro Tem, Don't Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance During Special Session

Republicans Fail To Take Podium, Pass Bills By Acclamation

wcbstv.com...

WTH is going in, it seems there is a widening rift in government.