Big Apple Republicans: Going … Going ... Gone
With the expected turn-over of the state senate this week to Democratic control, New York Republicans will lose their ability to run contract, patronage and other controls of government’s budget needed to sustain a viable political party. For the first time in its history New York is now a one party state. The 2010 governor’s race is shaping up to be the last stand for the state’s Republican Party. Rudy Giuliani, Bloomberg - now a registered independent, Rep. Peter King - the bench strength is not very good for the Republican team. Giuliani can try to revive his crime buster image to go after dysfunctional and corrupt Albany, but with former Senate Majority leader Bruno expected to be the next elected official taking mug shots after being fingerprinted, it will be hard to run against democrats on a anti-corruption platform.
An examination of the state’s demographics and the 2012 redistricting indicates that it will be a long time, if ever, that the Republicans regain any power in New York. With the loss of population upstate, two or three assembly seats and one or two state senate seats will be shifted to the heavily democratic city during the 2012 redistricting. Many upstate Republican state senators, some of advancing age, are expected to leave office once their party loses its majority senate position. The final kill off of Republicans will come in 2012 when senate democrats will control redistricting and redraw senate districts Bruno and his buddies gerrymandered in 1982, 1992 and 2002 to elect republicans.
With the expected turn-over of the state senate this week to Democratic control, New York Republicans will lose their ability to run contract, patronage and other controls of government’s budget needed to sustain a viable political party. For the first time in its history New York is now a one party state. The 2010 governor’s race is shaping up to be the last stand for the state’s Republican Party. Rudy Giuliani, Bloomberg - now a registered independent, Rep. Peter King - the bench strength is not very good for the Republican team. Giuliani can try to revive his crime buster image to go after dysfunctional and corrupt Albany, but with former Senate Majority leader Bruno expected to be the next elected official taking mug shots after being fingerprinted, it will be hard to run against democrats on a anti-corruption platform.
An examination of the state’s demographics and the 2012 redistricting indicates that it will be a long time, if ever, that the Republicans regain any power in New York. With the loss of population upstate, two or three assembly seats and one or two state senate seats will be shifted to the heavily democratic city during the 2012 redistricting. Many upstate Republican state senators, some of advancing age, are expected to leave office once their party loses its majority senate position. The final kill off of Republicans will come in 2012 when senate democrats will control redistricting and redraw senate districts Bruno and his buddies gerrymandered in 1982, 1992 and 2002 to elect republicans.
Brooklyn has 49 elected officials - 16 Councilmembers, 8 State Senators, 19 Assemblyman and 6 Congressmembers. Only one, Senator Martin Golden is a Republican. And that seat will be gone in 2012 when his gerrymandered district is redrawn by a Democratic majority redistricting team. Manhattan and the Bronx have no elected Republicans. In Queens, only Republican Senator Padavan is hanging on by less than 500 votes in the recount. Once he leaves office or after the redistricting of his seat, it too will be safely Democratic.
Albany GOP PLOT TO TAP STATE STAFF FOR RE-ELEX BIDS *** Bruno's kid didn't have to show up at the office to get her $84K a year *** FBI is probing the work activities of Susan M. Bruno, the elder daughter of the former Senate leader *** Brodsky: Postpone Vote on Bonds for Mets, Yankees *** Still a tug of war for Senate Dems - "Gang of 3" plays their card till the end *** Political bigs gorged on Hevesi pension fund trough - Hank Morris and other city power players *** Scandal, budget woes rocked state government in '08 *** More than half of Assembly and State Senate members work other jobs--lawyer, real estate agent, lifeguard.
Albany GOP PLOT TO TAP STATE STAFF FOR RE-ELEX BIDS *** Bruno's kid didn't have to show up at the office to get her $84K a year *** FBI is probing the work activities of Susan M. Bruno, the elder daughter of the former Senate leader *** Brodsky: Postpone Vote on Bonds for Mets, Yankees *** Still a tug of war for Senate Dems - "Gang of 3" plays their card till the end *** Political bigs gorged on Hevesi pension fund trough - Hank Morris and other city power players *** Scandal, budget woes rocked state government in '08 *** More than half of Assembly and State Senate members work other jobs--lawyer, real estate agent, lifeguard.
Daily News Editorial: New York still has the most dysfunctional, anti-democratic, boss-ruled, slovenly legislature in the country. Almost five years after nailing New York's Assembly and Senate as partners in America's worst legislative branch, the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School has compiled a fresh set of scandalously damning data. We know the problems already, lets start looking at the Dysfunctional Incumbent Protection Political System that makes the Swamp in Albany possible - Member Items, Lobbyists and a gate-keeping system of petitioning for ballot access.
Term Limits Battle Opening Arguments Begin Today in Federal Court to Challenge the constitutionality of the NY City Council Term Limits extension vote *** Term limits battle in Bklyn.
Bloomberg in Israel Mayor Bloomberg whisked into bomb shelter in Israel *** Bloomberg in Israel Tells CNN reporter to ‘Check his Facts’ *** Hikind Wants Statement From Obama Regarding War Against Hamas.
There is Gambling Going On at Rick's Place
Health care and construction corruption are investigated when they get into the papers, but never stopped *** HOSP DRUG 'ABU$E': SEVEN IN $50M MEDICAID 'SCAM' - Programs run by Special Care Hospital Management Co., headed by CEO Robert McNutt - His campaign contributions include: Clinton, Giuliani, Carnahan and Clyburn *** Manslaughter Charges Expected in Crane Collapse *** New charges in deadly crane collapse *** President of business indicted in Deutsche Bank fire linked to companies with rich N.Y. contracts - More on the John Galt Corp *** Madoff: Cheat, Pray and Love - The New Yorker *** Madoff Chasers Dug for Years, to No Avail.
The city has signed a $3 million contract to advertise anti smoking and other health messages in phone booths, although it already gets free advertising in bus shelters and public bathrooms - Van Wagner Kiosk Advertising *** TLC wants cabbie cams *** Murders up in NYC *** Political Machine membership has its privileges *** Commentary: What New York needs in a senator - by Rudy Giuliani *** Cabbies Balk at Plans to Install Cameras.
Washington Pay for Play New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson yesterday withdrew his nomination to be Barack Obama's commerce secretary *** Scandal hits Obama administration *** Leaders want Hispanic in Cabinet *** ABC News: Transition Team Feels Richardson Wasn't Forthcoming About Investigation *** Team pressed Richardson, got nothing *** DONOR AIDED BY SEN. CLINTON ALSO GAVE TO CLINTON CHARITY... ***McAullife is going to run for governor.
Emotional Obama lands in Washington *** Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine To Take Over As DNC Chairman *** Schumer, who heads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, says Al Franken should be seated in the Senate when it convenes tomorrow *** Funny Business in Minnesota - Wall Street Journal *** Obama Eyes $300 Billion Tax Cut.
Local Politics Vacca considers Borough President race *** Mark Weprin planning run for brother’s Council seat *** Developer in game of chicken over Coney Island's future *** Boardwalk of shame! Boutique shuttered for criticizing Coney landowner.
Economic Meltdown New York Times Concedes Reality, Sells Front Page Display Ad For First Time *** Prominent Magazines Lose Weight, Shedding Nearly Half Their Ads *** Former newspaper rivals cooperate as jobs are cut... *** Nine shows close doors in aftermath of financial meltdown *** Movie Ticket Sales Slip 4% For Year... *** New York - Thruway Toll Hike Begins.
