The WFP and Joe Bruno
On the Daily Gotham, Daniel Millstone notes that what was claimed as a great victory by the Working Families Party - they were originally sued for spending $130,000 to defeat a sitting district attorney in a Democratic primary in 2004 - could actually hurt them by allowing, say, the Republican Party to spend money in WFP primaries.
Here's a related, wilder theory someone mentioned to me this morning: The ruling could provide the Senate Republicans with a means of remaining in power by electing... Democrats.
The idea is that in Democratic-majority districts where it might be impossible to elect a traditional Republican, the Senate majority could use its considerable cash advantage to back Democrats who, once they win, would vote for Joe Bruno for Majority Leader.
Imagine how this could have affected the primary between Stephen Kaufman and Jeffrey Klein two years ago. Or whether the Republicans might consider spending some cash to support Noach Dear, who is famously friendly with the Senate Republicans, in his primary challenge against Kevin Parker.
Most of the Republican pick-ups in recent years, it's worth noting, have come about when incumbent Democratic Senators switched party loyalties.
Just a thought.
-- Josh Benson
Bruno & the Republican did bankroll Kaufman's Democratic Primary campaign last year. The difference between what they did and what the WFP did was that the WFP was honest about it. Bruno set up a phone committee that his donors contributed to.
Once again the " Golden Rule " wins--whoever has the most gold, rules!
Beware reformers (unions, WFP) who think they should be allowed to be "bosses." usually, they operate like Boss Tweed Fascistos. And then when Dems and GOPers do the same thing they cry foul.
you need to stop talking to scott levenson - noach dear is in a weaker position this year because it is a head to head race - last time there were three african americans. giving money to a democrat is not a reality otherwise it would have been done already
Scott Levenson is working for Noach Dear?
Not that this will change Bruno's playbook in any way, but how could a Democrat running in a Democratic primary explain why he was taking money from the Republican Primary? NY Forward will continue to thrive.
no, scott levenson is not working for noach dear. and yes, the senate republicans will and do try to influence dem primaries in an effort to derail the seats. and yes, noach will sit with the republicans if he wins, and no he won't win.
Wasn't there a court case about this in another state where a democrat switched party allegiances right after getting elected? Not sure how it turned out.