Baldeo Dropping out of State Senate Race
Albert Baldeo, the Democratic challenger who almost managed to unseat Republican State Senator Serf Maltese in 2006, and who decided to run again this year, is dropping out of the race and endorsing the other Democratic challenger, City Councilman Joe Addabbo, according to Addabbo's campaign.
It's considered an important race because the State Senate has a slim two-seat majority now. Baldeo's departure will help unify Democratic support behind Addabbo.
i wonder what he's getting in return
It doesn't matter that Baldeo is dropping out - Maltese will win the election in November. Baldeo was going to lose the Primary anyway and he really doesn't have any backing - whatever happened 2 years ago was just one of those incident that we witness once in a while in some elections.
I guess Baldeo made a deal with Addabbo that once he leaves the Council in 2009 he will support Baldeo for that seat. That's what we call a 'sweetheart deal' which most of the time that deal falls through and in this case Baldeo will be, once again, screwed by the democrats!
Baldeo - take this as Political Lesson 101 "How To Get Screwed in Political Deals".
Baldeo lives in White's distirct, not Adabbo's so try another theory
Baldeo's out because he know he was beat. Addabbo already endorsed and is supporting Gallushio for the 32 Council.
Baldeo doesn't live in Addabbo's Council District. He lives in Tom White's.
Rumor has it (and as far as I know it's just a rumor) that some time ago Baldeo asked for a judgeship in exchange for dropping out, but was rebuffed because he missed a deadline for the annual judicial nomination process. There is clearly bad blood between Baldeo and the party leaders in Queens County, so any excuse to deny him anything would probably be enough for them.
On the other hand, the fact that Baldeo apparently never followed through with his stated intention of running in November as an independent (no petitions on file with the State Board of Elections), combined with his withdrawal today, indicates that some sort of deal was struck.
My guess is that, at a minimum, he gets an at-large district leader position, and some sort of support as an organizer in the South Asian community in Queens. A judgeship isn't out of the question either; there are people who became judges several years after striking their deals.
As far as who will win in November, I'll wait for the results to come in before celebrating, and until then I won't engage in speculation -- but I'm optimistic.
Very nicely said Dan Jacoby - you finally are realizing that the election for the 15 SD is not in the bag for your man Addabbo. As far as a judgeship for Baldeo - unless he comes up with a bag full of $$$$$$$$$$ there is no way he will get it. Why should they give it to him otherwise? But then, Baldeo may have the $$$$$$$$$$$ because of what he specializes in...the crook!
Enrollment in the 15th SD:
Party Nov. 2006 March 2008
Dem 73,993 72,254
Rep 32,255 29,995
Other 36,767 35,390
Back in November of 2006, registered Democrats were 51.7% of registered voters.
As of March of 2008, that number had risen to 52.5%
During that same period, registered Republicans dropped from 22.55% to 21.8%.
Those numbers alone provide most of the extra votes Addabbo will need over what Baldeo got two years ago. Add the fact that Joe Addabbo is far more well-known in the district, the higher turnout that happens in a presidential election year, and the climate of change...
Regarding Baldeo, I have panned his political abilities, but he has proven himself to be a brilliant immigration lawyer, and was a remarkable judge in his native Guyana before moving to the U.S. It's bad enough that you attack people's politics from the cowardly position behind the wall of anonymity, but when you get personal you are worse than a coward, you are a cheap, pathetic excuse for a human being. Come clean!
AL BALDEO IS LIVING TESTAMENT TO WHAT PUTTING PARTY ABOVE SELF MEANS. THE BIG QUESTION IS "IS IT WORTH IT?" QUEENS COUNTY MUST CLEAN UP ITS ACT AND INCLUDE MINORITIES AND IMMIGRANTS TO BROADEN THE BASE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, AND BRING IT IN LINE WITH NATIONAL OUT REACH GOALS. WE HAVE TO MAKE THE TENT BIGGER AND MORE DIVERSE, TO REFLECT QUEENS POLITICS.
The 15 SD registration was always a 2 1/2 to 1 democrat - Maltese always won and he will win again. So what's your point Dan Jacoby.
And another thing - why should any of these bloggers identify themselves to you or anyone else. Isn't the whole idea of the bloggers to choose whether or not they want to be identified? You "cheap, pathetic excuse for human being". By the way - the clown outfit you're wearing in your website fits you well! I always knew you were a clown.
Reading this blog I cannot help it but laugh and laugh. I for one do agree with the last blogger - why should anyone should identify him/herself - Also, if my memory serves me right, Addabbo has been toying with the idea of running for the Senate seat since Maltese's first election - what took his so long to go for it now? Because he is going to term limit and he needs another job so that he continues to getting paid by the tax payers because he cannot do anything else. Plain as that.