Just when you thought Albany dysfunction couldn’t get worse, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith steps up and proves you wrong.
Only this time, New York happens to be on the brink of fiscal disaster.
In two (yup, two) bizarre press conferences yesterday, Smith faced reporters and proceeded to shove his foot further into his own mouth. He actually left the first briefing before it was over.
The key question: Who’ll run the Senate come January, when Democrats will have a 32-30 majority? After all, its leader is one of three pols, along with the governor and Assembly speaker, who make all the key decisions in Albany.
Normally, Smith would be expected to take charge. But three Democrats – Sen.-elect Pedro Espada of The Bronx and Sens. Carl Kruger of Brooklyn and Ruben Diaz Sr., also of The Bronx – refused to fall in line without sufficient bribes.
Last week, the so-called Gang of Three announced, in essence, that Smith had met their terms: high-level Senate leadership posts in exchange for their backing. But Smith refused to confirm that – and yesterday he ducked every question thrown at him.
And there’s broad speculation the whole deal may fall apart.
Smith – and his Democratic colleagues – are playing with fire. Amid an anemic economy, the state is staring down the barrel of a $14 billion budget gap.
It’s time for the shenanigans to end – and if Smith hopes to be a serious player, he needs to be the one to end them. If he can’t, well, that’s instructive, too.
After all, how – as Senate head – will he stand up to all the special pleaders looking to be spared the budget axe if he can’t control his own members?
On the other hand, if Smith does have what it takes, now’s the time to prove it.