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| Diaz would like to see the Senate Democrats
hand over leadership positions to the IDC to help regain the majority. |
State Sen. Rev. Ruben Diaz Sr. really brought it this time with his "What you should know" essay.
He says the Democrats in the state senate should give state Sen. Jeff Klein and the rest of his Independent Democratic Conference members leadership positions if they agree to come back to the Democratic Party.
They should start negotiating right away with Senator Jeff Klein and his three Independent Members – even to the point, if necessary, for the New York State Senate to transfer Senator Klein’s leadership position and the leadership positions of his Members to the Democratic Conference.
Everyone needs to put aside all personal differences – and pride – and do with Senator Klein and his Members as was done with Pedro Espada when the Democrats wanted him back.
Diaz, as most remember, was one of the 'four amigos' that held the Democratic Conference hostage in 2009 after jumping to the Republican side. They only returned after they were given leadership positions, with head honcho Pedro Espada Jr. becoming Majority Leader.
Diaz won't have the full support of his fellow Dems, however. A Democratic senate insider tells us that they will not be toyed with like they were with the Amigos.
"Senator Diaz does not speak for his colleagues," the source said. "We will not allow the Democratic Conference or the state Senate to be taken hostage by another four amigos who care more about power than they do about the future of New York State."
A message was left with the IDC's spokesman as of Wednesday evening.
"Senator Diaz does not speak for his colleagues," the source said. "We will not allow the Democratic Conference or the state Senate to be taken hostage by another four amigos who care more about power than they do about the future of New York State."
A message was left with the IDC's spokesman as of Wednesday evening.
Jump below for Diaz's full statement (the bold is his):
I am not a political analyst, I
am not a political consultant, neither am I a political strategist, but
looking at our recent situation as Democrats in the New York State Senate,
I cannot refrain from putting in my two cents.
Can our leadership re-claim the Majority in the next year’s election? From what I see, this is not impossible, but it will be very difficult due to the fact that Senator Oppenheimer is resigning and I am very concerned that her seat might be won by a Republicans and the Democrats could lose that seat. Also, with Senator Carl Kruger’s resignation, that open seat might also be in jeopardy – there is a very good chance that a Republican may win that seat also.
There are other Senate seats occupied by Democrats throughout the state that might be in jeopardy.
Aside from that, I believe that the four Senate Independent Democrats will never come back just to be simple Members of the Democratic Conference.
This is my opinion, and my advice for the Democratic leadership in New York State and in the State Senate:
They should start negotiating right away with Senator Jeff Klein and his three Independent Members – even to the point, if necessary, for the New York State Senate to transfer Senator Klein’s leadership position and the leadership positions of his Members to the Democratic Conference.
Everyone needs to put aside all personal differences – and pride – and do with Senator Klein and his Members as was done with Pedro Espada when the Democrats wanted him back.
The leadership needs to start this conversation now – before it’s too late. Otherwise, I am afraid that we will never see the Majority again.
These are my two cents.
I am Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.
Can our leadership re-claim the Majority in the next year’s election? From what I see, this is not impossible, but it will be very difficult due to the fact that Senator Oppenheimer is resigning and I am very concerned that her seat might be won by a Republicans and the Democrats could lose that seat. Also, with Senator Carl Kruger’s resignation, that open seat might also be in jeopardy – there is a very good chance that a Republican may win that seat also.
There are other Senate seats occupied by Democrats throughout the state that might be in jeopardy.
Aside from that, I believe that the four Senate Independent Democrats will never come back just to be simple Members of the Democratic Conference.
This is my opinion, and my advice for the Democratic leadership in New York State and in the State Senate:
They should start negotiating right away with Senator Jeff Klein and his three Independent Members – even to the point, if necessary, for the New York State Senate to transfer Senator Klein’s leadership position and the leadership positions of his Members to the Democratic Conference.
Everyone needs to put aside all personal differences – and pride – and do with Senator Klein and his Members as was done with Pedro Espada when the Democrats wanted him back.
The leadership needs to start this conversation now – before it’s too late. Otherwise, I am afraid that we will never see the Majority again.
These are my two cents.
I am Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.
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