Sending Help, Slowly
Writing in today's Times, Jonathan Hicks hit on the curious indifference some Democrats have exhibited towards their party's razor-thin loss to Republican state Senator Serph Maltese in Queens.
The theory behind the lack of interest is that Maltese enjoys good relations with his Democratic counterparts that has somehow tempered their enthusiasm for ending his legislative career. And as a member of the majority, he's been a reliable source of state aid for the city and Queens in particular.
But a Democratic insider told me there's been a slight change of attitude.
Senate Democrats will be sending lawyer Henry Burger - who is in charge of the Andrea Stewart-Cousins recount in Westchester - to oversee the recount in Queens, where less than 800 votes separates Maltese from his opponent, Albert Baldeo.
-- Azi Paybarah
who is paying that bill?
Berger ain't cheap.
Democratic Councilman Joe Adabbo is waiting in the wings.....
Queens Dems really missed the boat on this. I guess the lack of recent contested elections really made them blind to the demographic changes sweeping this district. Unfortunatly, in 2008 the GOP will probably run a more energenic and heavily financed Gallagher to hold the district, and might be able to pull it off.
Even with Berger, Serf's margain seems too large to overcome. Alas!
Adabbo should have taken Sheekey's advice and run!
Democrats lack of interests towards Serf's razor thin win has more to do with the fact that Baldeo is a sleazy person who county wouldn't want to represent the party up in Albany. The same way that the people at Austin Street probably were relieved when Shirley Huntley beat Ada "coffee in your face" Smith
12:26's point is well taken, and maybe Austin Street should be forgiven for that particular trespeass. What can't be forgiven is their decision to not field a real candidate and make a real effort in the first place; it didn't have to be Baldeo. One wonders is Adabbo would have decided differently if he'd gotten any support at home.
Of course, now that Malcolm is Minority Leader, they might actually have a pecuniary interest (seemingly the only interest which means anything to them) in taking the majority.
Crowley: In the words of Gordon Gekko, "Greed is Good". Go for it, and Padavan too.
maltese has delivered for his district and enjoys a great working relationship with queens democrats and senate democrats. he never made himself a target like vito fossella. nobody in queens took baldeo seriously and therefore did not invest much money in supporting him. an addabbo candidacy could have had more positive results for dems but would also have opened the floodgates of campaign dollars to help serf. 2008 is two short years away and time will tell how badly senate dems want this seat.
Councilman Gallager, call your office.Joe Bruno on line one.
Baldeo only came close because Maltese didn't care about the race. My prediction is that a recount will produce better results for Maltese.
Baldeo's lawyer is Sarah Steiner, an election lawyer from Manhattan who also represented him last year. Berger is from the Senate Campaign Committee. The interesting part of this story is that Baldeo was a good bit ahead when 88% of the vote was counted. The canvass should be interesting.
Who would have thought a former Conservative Party chairman would become such a part of the establishment, move left on a few issues (i.e. pork and rent control), and collaborate with the Democrats to save his own skin?
Hey, George Marlin, why don't you write an op-ed on Maltese?