Albany is the site of one of this nation's most dysfunctional state legislatures. It is well known for getting nothing done. This is one thing that cannot be completely blamed on the Republicans because Democrats like Shelly Silver are just as do-nothing as the Republicans. Winning the State Senate, and thus getting rid of the worst obstructionist, Joe Bruno, is a critical part of reforming Albany...and one I focus on at our NY State Act Blue Site [1], helping defend Andrea Stewart-Cousins' seat and supporting Jimmy Dahroug and Jim Gennaro in their State Senate bids. But there is more to reforming Albany than just electing more Democrats. We also have to defeat those Democrats who have become part of Albany dysfunction.
Marty Connor is a complex case. There is no question in my mind that Marty Connor is smart and is on the right side of most issues. There is also no question in my mind that over the years he has lost touch with the voters and gotten sucked into the dysfunctional way Albany works. This makes him vulnerable. In 2006 he was fiercely challenged by Ken Diamondstone. Diamondstone did better than most people expected, in large part due to the fact that Marty Connor has to a large degree lost touch with the voters.
For various reasons, partly because of my connections to a club that is close with Connor and is bound to endorse him, I stayed neutral in that race, mainly criticizing Connor for what I saw as a difficulty talking with constituents and for being part of the problems in Albany. In essence, I was suggesting that Connor could and should do better.
This year the situation is more complex. Marty Connor is being challeneged again by Ken Diamondstone. But a third candidate has also entered: Dan Squadron. Normally this would help Connor since both Diamondstone and Squadron hail from Brooklyn and so might largely be splitting the same vote. But Chuck Schumer might be weighing in.
According to the Daily News:
Chuck Schumer backs former aide over veteran pol in heated state Senate race
Monday, April 7th 2008, NY Daily NewsSen. Chuck Schumer, who likes to say he doesn't choose sides in Democratic primaries, is poised to break that rule yet again in a contentious state Senate race.
Veteran Brooklyn State Sen. Marty Connor said he was shocked when Schumer informed him during a rural Democrats' event in Saratoga Springs on Saturday that Schumer will back his former aide and political neophyte, Daniel Squadron, against Connor this fall.
According to Connor, Schumer, speaking in "a cold voice," informed the former state Senate minority leader: "You weren't there when I needed you; I owe you nothing."
At issue was Connor's 1998 endorsement of then-Rep. Schumer's U.S. Senate primary opponent, Geraldine Ferraro. Schumer went on to win the primary that year and oust Republican Sen. Alfonse D'Amato in the general election.
I should note two things here. First off, I don't see why Marty Connor himself is spreading this rumor. Schumer has not himself made this public. By going public with it Connor does nothing except reduce his fundraising effectiveness. That said, Connor is known for speaking his mind, often without regard to tact. It is one thing that makes him vulnerable. This shows that his lack of tact can apply to his own interests as well. The positive side to this is he is honest. The downside is he is tactless. Of course some have said much the same about me.
Second, if Connor is acurate about Schumer's reasons, and I suspect he is, I might actually side with Connor on this one. Politics, ideally, is not all about favors and vendettas. Of course too often it is, but that is often what I am most critical about. So, I am not sure I agree with Schumer's motives. But regardless, this is a body blow to Connor's re-election. Back to the Daily News:
Schumer spokesman Josh Vlasto said the senator has not endorsed anyone yet, but added: "Daniel Squadron is one of the smartest, most honorable, and hardest-working people ever to serve in his office; anything the senator does will be based on the relative quality of the candidates."
Squadron, who co-authored Schumer's book, "Positively American: How the Democrats Can Win in 2008," has never held elective office. He recently left the consulting firm Knickerbocker SKD (founded by ex-Schumerite Josh Isay) to campaign full time for Connor's seat and has been endorsed by the Working Families Party.
WFP and Chuck Schumer are a powerful combination when it comes to fundraising. This means this is the biggest challenge Connor has had and Schumer's backing could put a dent in Connor's Manhattan vote.
I will again stay neutral this year. I know Connor has good qualities as well and I am on the board of a club that is likely to endorse him. I also do not know Squadron. I have my suspicions that a Schumer ally may not be the best reformer.
This race strikes me as wide open at the moment. Incumbancy vs. fundraising. Only time...and money will tell.
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