Between Sabini-Monserrate and the Queens Machine, Malcolm Smith
One angle I haven’t considered yet regarding the Queens County Democratic Party endorsement meeting on Friday is what it means for State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith.
If the Queens County is going to endorse City Councilman Hiram Monserrate over the incumbent State Senator John Sabini, as looks likely, Smith will presumably be in the unenviable position of protecting a current member of his conference against the efforts of that member's local Democratic machine. However, by protecting Sabini, Smith may put himself at odds with the county organization that helped make him the Democratic Senate Leader. (Smith is from Southeastern Queens).
Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf says, “[Smith] has to prove he’s a leader by protecting his members from the Queens County Organization.””
According to State Senator Diane Savino that's the choice Smith will make, if he has to. “[Malcolm] is 100 percent standing behind his member,” she said.
Savino went on to say that the Democratic senators all have an interest in defending Sabini from political opponents.
“Today it's him. Tomorrow, it can be any one of the rest of us,” Savino said. “We support each other.”
She then added, “We were all willing to take a shot when nobody was interested in the State Senate. And now that these seats are becoming more attractive, you'll see more intra-party primaries. But at the end of the day, we were here when nobody wanted to be here.”
Remember, Smith publicly praised the Queens County Democratic Organization for helping him secure votes to become the Democratic senate leader after that position was vacated by David Paterson.
Smith's spokesman did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment about the race.
UPDATE: Smith's office emailed the following statement from the senator:
"We expect to win the majority but while winning is important, there are other things that are just as important such as principle and loyalty. I support Senator John Sabini just as I expect my members will. I stand behind John and all of my members. We will work together to win the majority. We all stand committed to passing legislation that will benefit all New Yorkers, including lowering property taxes and creating jobs."
- Poll
- Obama (D)
- McCain(R)
- Spread
- RCP Average
- 46.9
- 43.3
- Obama +3.6
- Candidate
- Favorable
- Unfavorable
- Spread
- Obama
- 52.6
- 34.4
- +18.2
- McCain
- 51.2
- 34.2
- +17.0
Maybe Savino is right. Maybe President Marty Markowitz will run again, now that is seems the senate democrats are on the verge of becoming the majority. LOL
A few thoughts. 1) Who does Diane Savino think that she is sounding as entitled as she does right now? 2) Anyone who critizes others in the way that she does here, is clearly not planning on running for Congress. Otherwise, she would not have stated her unequivocal commitment to being in the State Senate majority. 3.) Why are members speaking on behalf of Smith, and not his spokesperson?
Bunch of hypocrites! Why are they not helping Albert Baldeo when he ran without their so called zeal to take back the majority? Baldeo gained 49% of the votes last time w/o any support. Now she's pushing Addabbo-you know why!
Bunch of hypocrites! Why are they not helping Albert Baldeo when he ran without their so called zeal to take back the majority? Baldeo gained 49% of the votes last time w/o any support. Now she's pushing Addabbo-you know why!
Savino's right - if they were still 6 or 7 seats away, no one would even be looking at running for Senate. And I say kudos to the Senate Dems for not backing Baldeo - I read the press coverage and he seems unstable - and it shows they've got standards for their candidates and won't just back any Dem who's willing to run. Addabbo seems like an up & comer - I was told he's an accountant and lawyer - we can use him to bring some fiscal responsibility to the overspending legislature that we currently have. I don't envy Smith, but I think Savino's words ring true.