Bronx Dems Raise Money For Senate Takeover
Bronx Democratic Chairman Jose Rivera is hosting a “Take Back the Senate” fundraiser next Friday at the Seashore Restaurant, a $400-a-head event at which both Gov. David Paterson and Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith will be “distinguished guests.”
I believe this is the first such event that Paterson will attend since his March 17 swearing in.
Given the tenuousness of the situation at the Capitol (budget deadlines, scandals etc.) the new governor has studiously avoided discussing whether he will pursue a Democratic majority in the Senate as aggressively as his predecessor, Eliot Spitzer.
The budget should be done by next Friday, but the legislative session won’t be over. Nevertheless, Paterson evidently feels it should be safe by then to attend an event that might upset the delicate balance of his relationship with Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno.
Spitzer, of course, made ousting the Senate Republicans from power a priority in 2006 when he campaigned on behalf of Democratic candidates, and then continued that quest once he took office (7th and 48th SD special elections, Troopergate etc.) at the expense of his legislative and reform agendas.
When questioned on this topic, Paterson has repeatedly noted that during his tenure as minority leader he took four seats from the Republicans - three in one year (2004) - and brought the Democrats within spitting distance of taking over the chamber, while also maintaining his cordial relationship with Bruno.
SOURCE: NYDailyNews.com
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