POLITICAL NEWS AND NOTES…MONSERRATE LOSES HIS CHARIMAN…COLLINS’ DOUBLE CAMPAIGN

Add Queens Democratic Chairman Joe Crowley to the growing list of people abandoning Sen. Hiram Monserrate in the wake of his conviction on a misdemeanor assault charge. Besides Chairman Crowley, the anti-Monserrate movement includes at least five of Monserrate’s fellow Senators, including a number of women. Still, the Senate Democratic caucus’ Hispanic contingent are sticking with the Queens Democrat, pointing out that other non-Hispanic Senators have kept their seats despite being implicated in even worse offences.

The factual point at issue seems to be this: When Senator Monserrate was caught on camera dragging his girlfriend out of a room, was he doing so to force her to seek medical attention for facila cuts, as his attorneys allege…Or was he doing so to inflict physical damage or at least intimidation on her as part of a “jeolous rage,” the contention of the Senator’s critics.

Then there’s the issue of what would happen to Senate Democrats if Monserrate’s seat became vacant. Could they pass legislation with only a 31-30 majority, rather than the 32-30 bulge they have with him? One point in their favor comes from Governor Paterson’s appointment of Lt. Governor Richard Ravitch over the objections of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, among others. This little coup furnishes the Dems with an extra vote in the Senate in the event of a tie.

In any case, Queens Chairman Crowley clearly has made up his mind about Senator Monserrate’s fitness to serve.

“I think that the conviction on reckless injury to his girlfriend leaves too many questions about (Monserrate’s) judgment and his ability to lead. His violent behavior is not befitting a public official,” Crowley said. “I think his Queens constituency deserves an opportunity to elect a new senator who represents their values. Senator Monserrate should bring a close to this chapter in his troubling career by resigning his office now.”
Finally, will this year’s county legislature races in neighboring Erie become a major factor in the Empire State’s gubernatorial race in 2010? Some observers are asking this question as Erie County Executive Chris Collins continues to move around the state doing his impersonation of a candidate for Governor while, at the same, time actively promoting certain GOP candidates for the downtown Buffalo Legislature. If the Collins Caucus of contenders does well on Nov. 3, some are wondering, if this success in a Democratic county might propel this Clarence resident toward the Governor’s mansion or at least the Republican nomination for same?

Quite understandably, Erie County Democratic Chairman Len Lenihan doesn’t think much of a possible Collins bid for Albany glory, recently observing that, “Crazier things have happened,” than a successful CC state-wide campaign. Then again, Collins does have his admirers too, especially in the GOP. His first big test since being elected to his current post may come in a few weeks when the voters of EC get to weigh in.