Smith Explains Himself
Malcolm Smith was at last night's annual fundraiser for the Empire State Pride Agenda, where I photographed him with former New York Blade editor Steve Weinstein (l) and Sen. Tom Duane (r). Smith said told me last night that supports gay marriage, and added, "I always have."
That's a little different from what he said earlier in the day.
When I asked him about an old Queens Chronicle cover story in which said that he wouldn't state his position on gay marriage, Smith said that the story was written when he was on vacation.
Going by the piecemeal evidence that we have, then, Smith's evolution on the issue coincides with the speech Eliot Spitzer gave last night in which he told the state's largest gay lobby that he fully supports gay marriage.
Looks like Smith will be the kind of minority leader Spitzer can do business with.
-- Azi Paybarah
And yet another loss for the west side manhattan delegation eric and liz
First of all, Liz does not represent the West side, she reps the east side.
Secondly, Malcolm cannot and will not attempt to destroy Eric and Liz. Malcolm knows how hardworking the two of them are and that they are the policy/legislative leaders of the Senate Democrats. Malcolm needs Liz and Eric to continue doing what they have been doing for years - working on progressive issues and getting good candidates to run against the majority.
As for Duane, he sold himself out, but he was never reliable to begin with. Now that he is considered a Smith ally, we'll see what he gets in exchange.
Finally, on Klein. This guy is a lowlife part of the Bronx machine. He will use a leadership role to run for Congress in 2008 or 2010.
Klein running for Congress? For what seat? He's in Crowley's district. I think he's in the State Senate at least until redistricting.
Duane sold out years ago when he decided to support Quinn's ambition and let the developers in the bulldoze Chelsea.
I would say look for Klein to run in 2012, when Crowley's redistricted completely back into Queens.
Duane is a paper tiger do nothing
Duane is a great guy. He has never sold out and never will. Can Klein really win in the majority histrict district likely to be drawn in the Eastern Bronx? I would think Diaz, Jr. or Palma is more likely.
I think Klein can win that district nad Palma moves up to the State Senate.
i would imagine that klein is eyeing prospects for higher office (as are pretty much all others) now that malcolm smith has the leaership spot, and is unlikely to be going anywhere anytime soon.