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Malcolm Smith
"Albany at its most sordid"
State Senate leaders manipulated the choice of who would build New York City’s first casino, leaking information and showing favoritism to a troubled bidder that was donating to Democratic candidates and had ties to key political figures, the state inspector general said Thursday.
In a scathing 300-page report on the competition to install video slot machines at the Aqueduct racetrack in Queens, the inspector general described a chaotic and ultimately doomed process that was without formal rules or objective criteria, and was awash in “unrestrained political considerations,” lobbyists and targeted campaign contributions. [...]
“This report reveals Albany at its most sordid,” said Blair Horner, legislative director of the New York Public Interest Research Group. “Every New Yorker should be outraged. We urge the district attorney and U.S. attorney to move quickly on the I.G.’s finding of possible violations of the public officers law.”
This report, not to state the blindingly obvious, could not have been released at a worse time, with all of twelve days to go until New Yorkers go to the polls.
New York Democrats are actually doing remarkably well in this cycle. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand appear locks for re-election, Andrew Cuomo is stomping tea party anti-everything-of-goodness-and-value loon Carl Paladino, and even the relatively unknown Progressive standard-bearer for Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman, is quite comfortably ahead in the polls. On the House side, things are a bit grimmer, but even there recent polls show some improvement in a few key races. That improvement correlates with wider national trends that may, just may, save us from electoral Armageddon.
In New York State itself, it's safe to say, the tea party wave - if there ever was one to begin with - crested a while ago, breaking on the shoals of its own candidate freak show.
That leaves, of course, the Democratic State Senate to piss in the punch bowl. And with this report, that is exactly what they did.
CapTon’s Kaitlyn Ross, who is at a Capitol press conference with Fisch, sent this quote from the IG: “Senator Sampson’s testimony was incredible; I stopped counting the number of ‘I don’t recalls’ after 100.”
From the report:
“Unfortunately, and shamefully, consideration of what was in the public’s best interest, rather than the political interest of the decision makers, was a matter of militant indifference to them.”
How bad is it? Really bad. Enter Dean Skelos, in a press release today:
The people of New York expect and deserve honesty, openness and transparency from their government, instead they have been hurt by the arrogance of one-party rule. This scandal proves once again that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and makes the best case for having checks and balances in state government.
The Inspector General’s words regarding this corrupt process conducted by Senate Democrats simply could not be strong enough. I encourage the Manhattan District Attorney to conduct a thorough investigation into the corrupt bidding process and into the possible perjury committed by Senate Democrats and their staff in testimony to the Inspector General.
So what about the Democratic candidates? Brian Foley in Suffolk is already in trouble, per Newsday, with his campaign now being run from headquarters. Elsewhere, it gets worse.
The Daily Politics: Dem Hopefuls Running From Senate Leadership Like Seabiscuit Over Aqueduct Mess
Democratic candidates are already starting to distance themselves from the embattled Senate leadership as a result of today's Inspector General's report on the Aqueduct racino bidding process, State Capitol Bureau Chief Ken Lovett finds:
Joanne Yepsen, who is running as a Democrat for state Senate, just said if elected she will not support John Sampson, Malcolm Smith or Eric Adams as conference leaders because of their activities outlined in the scathing report.
Fantastic, isn't it? Going out on a limb here: what are the chances that all those fantastic Democratic candidates we have this cycle are anything other than mortified?
There are some really good people in the Senate. Maybe it's time to put them in charge. read more »
Dueling press releases
So this is intriguing. Since the coup, press releases from the Senate Majority have been going out under two headers: one, Austin Shafran for Senator Smith, and two, Selvena Brooks for Senator Sampson.
Today, however, they sent two, one from Smith, one from Sampson.
Smith, excerpted:
Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, on this day, a band of courageous patriots representing the hearts and minds of the new world gave birth to our nation. Founded upon the sacred principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, an idea was born- one that has lit the world for over two centuries.
Today that idea lives on in us. It is seen every time an American flag is hoisted atop a building or planted firmly in the front yard of houses across the state. It is heard in this Chamber when a Senator stands to speak on behalf of his or her constituents. And it is demonstrated around the globe by the brave men and women of our armed services who have chosen to put themselves in harm's way to protect our country. We may celebrate this day with barbeques and fireworks and salutes to our flag, but it is about more than that. It is about all of us continuing the greatest and most successful experiment in
democracy the world has ever known.
Sampson, briefly noted:
As our nation prepares to celebrate its independence with backyard barbecues and front lawn fireworks, the New York State Senate Democratic Conference and I want to wish all New Yorkers a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday.” [...]
“We salute our servicemen and women who place their lives on the line to the protect the principles in which our nation was founded on, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
“So whether you’re at a parade, concert or baseball game, remember today, and not just this day, but every day, the freedom we all share and take part in that truly makes us an independent nation.”
A trifle odd, no? read more »
Dems saw at Malcolm Smith's chair
A group of Democratic lawmakers told ousted Majority Leader Malcolm Smith on Friday he must relinquish his leadership role for the party to regain control of the Senate.
The senators gave Smith the bad news that his resignation as leader is the only way to get one of the two renegades, Sen. Hiram Monserrate, back into the fold.
"If Monserrate comes back in, Malcolm will be out," one senator said.
But it gets much better.
Sen. John Sampson (D-Brooklyn), who is considered a likely successor to Smith, and other Democrats are expected to meet with Monserrate this weekend to try to flip him back to the Democrats, a Senate aide said.
Sampson is a thoroughly undistinguished legislator whose main claim to fame is the primary he ran against Brooklyn D.A. Charlie Hynes in 2005. His openly stated objective was to stop Hynes from prosecuting Brooklyn party boss Clarence Norman. Norman is currently serving a multi-year prison term; He was accused, among other things, of trying to sell judgeships and taking illegal campaign contributions. There's a fourth charge still outstanding, alleging extortion.
So why even consider Sampson? We're always telling people about our hopes for reform, transparency, accountability, all that great stuff. Simple: after the stellar success of David Paterson - take a look at the devastating report on his dysfunctional management style as leader - and that of Malcolm Smith, whom they're trying to boot, the black Senators have decided among themselves that no matter what, the next leader needs to be black as well. Which is, I suppose, the best way to run the upper house of a legislature.
So. Does anybody still care about Eliot getting a blowjob? read more »
Democrats react to Sotomayor choice
Here's what they're saying.
[...]“In addition to having more overall judicial experience than anyone confirmed for the Court in the past 70 years, Sotomayor will bring an important perspective to the Court as both a woman and a Latina. Her life story, which has taken her from a public housing project in the Bronx to the finest schools in the county and a distinguished legal career, is beyond compelling. It will give the Court some needed understanding of how ordinary Americans live. Her outstanding legal mind, and her compelling life experience, is just the combination this Court needs in its next justice.
“Given her track record of excellence and moderation, and her life story, it’s going to be very hard for any senator, Republican or Democrat, to vote against her.”
“I spoke with President Obama this morning and told him that he had made a historic and fantastic decision,” said Senator Gillibrand. “In Judge Sotomayor, we have a superbly qualified jurist, who understands, respects, and connects with the people whose lives will be affected by the Court. Judge Sotomayor will bring invaluable experience and much needed diversity to our nation’s highest court. I look forward to a respectful and swift confirmation process in which Congress and the American people can learn more about Judge Sotomayor’s phenomenal qualifications.”
Paterson and Smith over the fold. read more »
Mr. Smith goes to Washington
Malcolm Smith is in Washington today to meet with the President.
Friday’s meeting follows a bi-partisan Senate delegation visit last month to the Capitol to meet with U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and our state’s congressional delegation, as well as White House officials. The New York State Senate delegation was the first state delegation in the nation to meet with Obama Administration officials.
Senator Smith will be participating in a national meeting with other state
legislative leaders convened by the National Conference of State Legislatures in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. A major focus of that meeting will be the federal stimulus package and how it can be used to grow our economy.
Good. They're doing stuff.
