Newsday has another little profile of incoming Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, Democrat of Queens.

It's a new year and I'm feeling the spirit of clean slates and open minds - and, y'know, hope. But, Senator Smith, we'll be watching.

Will you act as a true leader of the opposition, rather than giving in to the temptation to accomodate the Republican leadership and appear "bipartisan"?

Will you embrace and openly advocate for a progressive legislative agenda?

Will you aggressively prepare the ground for a Democratic takeover of the state Senate in 2008?

Will you work with Governor Spitzer and the Assembly Democrats to put pressure on Senate Republicans?

Will you clearly and enthusiastically support legislative rules reform to introduce democracy and accountability to Albany?

The go-along-to-get-along days are over. The Albany Sewer has festered in obscurity for a long time now, but not because the public approves of it. It only needed a light to shine on it, and activists and bloggers are working to get better and better at shining that light.

Happy New Year, Senator Smith and Democrats of New York State.

We'll be watching you.