Senate GOP seizes control in political coup

[Sophie Scholl]

I think Patterson should order the National Guard to the Senate, so that they could restore democracy.

Burn down the building with the doors barred and everyone inside.  It's the best way to save New York I can think of.

[alfred russel]

How is this different than when the republicans had a senate majority (50-50 w/ Cheney being the tiebreaker) a few years ago and Jim Jeffords switched parties throwing it to the democrats?

The difference is that these guys didn't switch parties.

This does seem banana-republicish.

I don't think Jeffords actually switched either, I think he just dropped out of the Republicans and switched his leadership vote.

If two people that call themselves democrats lose faith in the current leadership, they are free to vote for new leadership. We don't have enforced party discipline in this country. Now if they switched because they were bribed, then I agree with you.

[Sheilbh]

If two people that call themselves democrats lose faith in the current leadership, they are free to vote for new leadership. We don't have enforced party discipline in this country. Now if they switched because they were bribed, then I agree with you.

That'd be my view.  Their motivation matters.

[Vince]

It's like our little Banana Republic!

Of course, the state of New York is larger, richer, and has a higher GDP than any banana republic probably, but still...

Well I have heard people say parts of Central NY can be compared to a run down 3rd world country.   

[DGuller]

BTW, one of those two guys is currently indicted for assaulting his girlfriend with a broken bottle.  I wonder what would happen if he were to go to prison?  My guess is that Patterson is ringing the DA's phone off the hook trying to get them to expedite that case.

[Phillip V]

The two guys wanted power plain and simple. Disgusting display of ego. Both defectors were already under criminal investigation. They will either get arrested or voted out. I have little respect for state legislators. They are as dumb as me if not dumber.

[derspiess]

If two people that call themselves democrats lose faith in the current leadership, they are free to vote for new leadership. We don't have enforced party discipline in this country. Now if they switched because they were bribed, then I agree with you.

What do you consider a "bribe" in this case?

[Razgovory]

BTW, one of those two guys is currently indicted for assaulting his girlfriend with a broken bottle.  I wonder what would happen if he were to go to prison?  My guess is that Patterson is ringing the DA's phone off the hook trying to get them to expedite that case.

Well if the Republicans want him I suppose they can have guys like that.

[Valmy]

Ah the coup of 19 Priarial of the Year CCXVII

[Octavian]

So not really, because it's only a State Senate.

Albany's always been a pretty constant source of amusement. I should call my dad about this; he lives about 5 minutes away from the state building- it would be interesting to see what kind of ruckus is taking place up there.

I suspect he will find that the state building have been surrounded by tanks with the govenor standing on top of one of them

Something like this:

[KRonn]

Interesting, amusing. I'm surprised that there were enough Repubs in the NY State Legislature to pull this off with only a couple of Dem defectors. I guess it just means that majority control has temporarily shifted away from the Dems? In name anyway? At least until the dust settles, or what ever.

[Octavian]

Current update:

[Strix]

It seems that Golisano was behind the move.  He has been pressuring NYS government to reform. It appears he kicked it up a notch.

[saskganesh]

we need Frau Rocket to storm Albany again with her wheelchair panzers.

[Martinus]

Does anyone have any idea why they did this?

To make sure fags can't marry. Doh.