If you had ventured, say, at New Year's, to entertain the possibility that in 2008, Eliot Spitzer would resign in disgrace after being caught in a hooker sting, that Joe Bruno would be retiring, and that Hillary Clinton would not be this year's Democratic nominee, you would have been dismissed as mildly eccentric even by blood relatives. But here we are, and now, you can add one more improbable occurrence to this year of the unexpected: Tom Golisano is going to spend literally millions of dollars to shake things up in this state by targeting incumbent legislators.

That's potentially an earthquake.

The New York Sun (a rightwing fishwrapper characterized by bad writing, a rightwing editorial slant they don't even the decency to try to hide, but one redeeming virtue, their stubborn opposition to Speaker Shelly Silver) today speculates that among Golisano's targets may be Silver himself.

Mr. Golisano, a three-time gubernatorial contender who is forming a PAC to spread his wealth to candidates across the state who pledge their support for his movement against Albany's establishment, is considering bankrolling an effort to topple Mr. Silver, the longest-serving Democratic speaker in state history.

The possibility that one of New York's wealthiest residents, a sharp-tongued, politically unpredictable businessman who has a history of saturating the state airwaves with his self-financed political ads, may target Mr. Silver has provoked some concern within the speaker's political operation, according to a knowledgeable source.

There's even a rumor that Golisano may be looking at Marty Connor's seat, where the incumbent is facing a spirited challenge from newcomer Daniel Squadron. Having had a conversation about upstate economic development with Squadron myself, I'd suggest it might be worthwhile for Golisano to have the same.

Breaking via NYT:

The Republican-led state Senate moved on Tuesday to install Dean G. Skelos, a Long Island senator for more than two decades, as its new majority leader.

Mr. Skelos, who will replace Joseph L. Bruno, the powerful majority leader who said on Monday that he would not seek re-election, is expected to be elected by his colleagues in a closed-door conference later in the day.

The selection of Mr. Skelos was confirmed by Thomas Libous, a Republican senator from Binghamton who was widely seen as the Long Island senator’s rival for the job.

Say hello to the last republican Senate Majority Leader.

The Daily Gotham is pleased to announce our inaugural interview in a series, in which we're going to be talking one on one with Democratic movers and shakers from around New York. We're kicking off the series with Doug Forand, of the New York State Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

TDG: Tell us a little bit about the DSCC. What does it do?

Doug Forand: The DSCC is the statewide campaign committee that supports the political goals of the Senate Democrats and helps Democrats get elected (or stay elected) to the State Senate. We raise funds; design campaign plans and provide campaign oversight; help with targeting; recruit campaign staff and provide whatever means of support are necessary for as many campaigns as possible. Our most visible work is in recruiting candidates and raising funds which we spend on our candidates’ behalf.

TDG: What role do you see the New York blogosphere and the netroots generally playing in the 2008 election for the State Senate?

Doug Forand: I think that down ballot races, such as State Senate races, are the next frontier where we’re likely to see a real impact by blogosphere. From the breakthrough impact on the 2004 presidential campaigns to last year’s Congressional races (the work by Take 19 in the John Hall district being a great example), each successive election cycle has seen an increased impact due to new media and electronic organizing. That being said, State Senate and other down ballot races are really in their infancy when it comes to being prepared to capitalize off of this medium, whether it’s in organizing, communications, or fundraising. That’s a challenge we have to address.

Looking specifically at New York’s blogosphere, I see huge potential for State Senate races. The blogs’ readership tends to represent a strong progressive base, and moving this base to a point where they recognize the importance of State Senate races can motivate them to be more involved in those races will pay significant dividends. The blogs’ coverage of our races, our candidates and our opponents will influence how the main stream media perceives and covers the races. Finally, the blogs’ influence can translate into fundraising support for our candidates and our committee.

TDG: What is, in your opinion, the track record of the current Senate majority? Why does New York need a Democratic Senate?

Nothing like a bit of an existential threat to focus republican legislators on that most foreign of concepts, work. Witness this article in Business Review.

The man who once called Amtrak's intercity passenger rail service "embarrassing as hell" was delighted on Wednesday to unveil the first initiatives toward bringing high-speed rail to the state.

Joseph Bruno, the state Senate's Majority Leader, announced $22 million in projects that bring the state closer to that goal. Half of that money will go to the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station to add a fourth train track, extend platforms and demolish an existing building.

Hooray, high-speed rail! No downside to this, right?

Wrong. Buried in the body of the story is the actual lede, which is:

All the projects spawn from a $5 million study several years ago on the possibility of creating a high-speed rail corridor between Buffalo and New York City.

In short, the story really should read: "Kicking and screaming after years of footdragging and delay, Joe Bruno finally does something that could have been done several years ago."

It's back to business as usual in Timewasterville Albany, reports Newsday.

Monday, August 27th, 2007:

It appears unlikely there will be an official inquiry into allegations that Republican campaign consultant Roger Stone Jr. threatened the father of Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

The heads of three Senate committees that could investigate the controversial voice mail expressed no interest yesterday.

Thursday, August 9, 2007:

Today, the Senate Committee of Investigations and Government Operations is set to start what will likely be a series of hearings onTroopergate, in which aides to Gov. Eliot Spitzer improperly had State Police re-create helicopter and other travel records of the governor's political nemesis, Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno.

Odd how the Senate's investigatory zeal has lessened now that there's scandal inching ever closer to Joe Bruno, isn't it?