You want marriage equality in New York? Here's your chance.

Let's be completely up front and pragmatic: it's not happening until 2011 at the earliest, but it can happen. Eight state senators need to be replaced in order to do it, and anyone who has seen the New York State Senate in action knows that between the ratfuck Republicans and the turncoat Democrats it's a target rich environment. Here's a list of eight particularly noxious "nay" votes that are in potentially winnable seats. You want progress? These people all need to go. That takes volunteers, it takes candidates, and it takes money. In no particular order:

Joe Robach (R-Rochester) - Famous for having an affair with a subordinate, getting caught by her husband, beaten up by the husband, and being left naked outside while the husband called Robach's wife to come and get him. Also for having work done on his house illegally using taxpayer funds.

Carl Kruger (D-Brooklyn) - One of the turncoats who threatened to throw control back to the Republicans at the beginning of this year unless they were basically given extra pay and unlimited legislative control in the Senate.

Ruben Diaz Sr. (D-Bronx) - The guy who claimed that having the "Gay Games" take place in New York would result in an increase in AIDS cases and turn kids gay. Also another one of the turncoats.

Dale Volker (R-Depew) - Sponsor of the bill to ban gay marriage in New York, a man in control of a district gerrymandered to be 15 miles wide and 110 miles long, where he's held the same office for 35 years.

Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn) - No particular controversies, he's just basically a prick by nature.

Shirley Huntley (D-Queens) A 71 year old sophmore legislator whose only previous claim to legislative experience is having been a member of the local school board.

Dean Skelos (R-Long Island) The guy who helped engineer the coup that nearly stopped us from even having a vote in the first place.

Hiram Monserrate (D-Brooklyn) A former police officer who, before he even got sworn in to office, was arrested for slashing his girlfriend in the face with a broken glass and dragging her out of the apartment.

Not to mention dozens of other Republicans all of whom voted solidly as a block against this bill.

holds onto his seat by the skin of his teeth. he only was elected because of a special election a couple of years ago. not to say that anyone anymore liberal would stand a chance, just that he is vulnerable as well. I'll take one of the area RINOs over a DINO.

There has to be room to let a few people break from the party. Granted that's difficult when, like in the NY State Senate, you've got a razor-blade thin majority. But Aubertine has the good excuse of being a Dem in a rural, conservative district where he barely eked out a victory. If it came down to targeting him or a much more obnoxious Republican, I'd go with the latter.

I'm just hurt because I worked to get him elected and even spoke to him a few times on this and other issues.

'cause I'm in a liberal area but gerrymandered into one of our stupid crazy shape districts that is GOP - which MUST be why the Senate is so much more conservative than the Assembly?

New York State

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New York City

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Long Island


I was born and raised and used to live in the 52nd District (Binghamton area, Sen. Libous).
I've since gotten married and moved to Conencticut

But there won't be redistricting until after the 2010 election, meaning we've got to hold on to control of the State Senate next year in order to redraw the lines. If the Republicans take it back, which only requires a couple votes, then we'll probably get another compromise plan designed to protect the incumbents.