New Yorkers are still in limbo on who will lead the Senate: the victorious Democrats, who captured a majority of votes and seats, rubbing out long-serving republican Senators, or republicans, who are eagerly courting a small group of traitor Democrats. Among these, as ever are Carl Kruger of Brooklyn, a looming target for a primary, and newly elected retread Pedro Espada, best known for narrowly escaping a Federal indictment for corruption some years ago. According to the estimable Liz, Espada and Kruger won't back Malcolm Smith for Leader. Some of the more laughable rumors have it that Espada, a freshman Senator who didn't lift a finger to attain this new majority, would generously settle for being Majority leader himself.
So here's my experience with Malcolm Smith, gained through having consulted with his caucus over the last six months (more on that later).
Malcolm Smith is one of the hardest workers in state politics. He has been working tirelessly for over a year not just to take the majority, but to be able to govern once that majority is attained. If you like and respect hard work, Malcolm is someone you'll get along with and appreciate. Espada, Kruger and Diaz - whose main goal in life seems to be posturing on keeping the queers down - have done nothing, and I mean literally nothing, to get this majority. Now, of course, they're posturing at the expense of the hard labor of others.
On policy, Smith is exactly where New Yorkers want him to be. He has spoken convincingly and consistently, publicly and privately, on reforming the chamber, in line with the Brennan Center's recommendations. I've heard him argue passionately for reform, including campaign finance reform, in closed-door meeting with high-end donors. This is real. The same applies on every Progressive issue you could name: labor, choice, taxation, equality (though, to appease that Bronx Bigot Diaz, we're going to have to be patient until we don't need his vote anymore after the special elections expected next year).
Of course, some people are also making an argument based on race (it was ever thus). With a black President and a black governor, apparently, we can't have a black Majority Leader. This because, I suppose, blacks are generally over-represented at the highest levels of government. Oh, wait, they're not.
As you may gather from this, I like Malcolm Smith. In general terms, that doesn't mean much; there are a lot of likable people who don't belong in public office, let alone the legislative leadership. That said, Malcolm has demonstrated that he has the qualities needed to move this state forward in difficult times. He should be Majority Leader.
