RealRepublicanMajority.org

Reminder to our Followers

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Real Republican Majority would just like to remind our readers that the official RRM Blog has been moved to Wordpress. The blog can be accessed at:
http://realrepublicanmajority.wordpress.com/

Please continue to follow us for updates and information!

Daily News Round-Up for July 2, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:11:00 +0000

Union Leader (Manchester, NH)
Former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu, considered by many the strongest Republican candidate to fill the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Judd Gregg, said yesterday he will not seek any elected office in 2010.

Politico (Washington, DC)
Gov. Mark Sanford's long and emotional interview with The Associated Press Tuesday appears to have been the final straw for South Carolina's Republican establishment, much of which is now actively seeking his resignation.

Washington Post (Washington, DC)
At some point last month, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) said she would refuse to fill out anything more than the number of people in her household on her Census questionnaire. Republican colleagues have now called her boycott illogical and illegal and are calling for her to end the boycott.

Daily News Round Up for July 1, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:08:00 +0000

Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN)
The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Al Franken in the Minnesota Senate race. Former Senator Norm Coleman (R) conceded last night when given the news, and Democrat Franken should be seated after the July 4th holiday.

Google News (USA)
Legislators in more than a half-dozen states, their revenues evaporating in the recession, frantically worked to stave off government shutdowns and devastating service cuts. California failed to meet a midnight deadline and now may need to issue IOUs instead of paying bills.

The State (Columbia, SC)
Six of 27 members of the conservative Senate Republican Caucus Tuesday night issued a letter calling on Gov. Mark Sanford to resign.

Politico (Washington, DC)
A hard-hitting piece on Sarah Palin in the new Vanity Fair has touched off a blistering exchange of insults among high-profile Republicans over last year's GOP ticket - tearing open fresh wounds about leaks surrounding Palin and revealing for the first time some of the internal wars that paralyzed the campaign in its final days.

Washington Post (Washington, DC)
Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's staff contacted federal regulators last fall to ask about the bailout application of an ailing Hawaii bank that he had helped to establish and where he has invested the bulk of his personal wealth.

Daily News Round-Up for June 30, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:51:00 +0000

Politico (Washington, DC)
House Minority Leader John Boehner has tapped Rep. Pete King (R-Long Island) for a slot on the intelligence committee -- a move that is likely to put the outspoken security hawk on the sidelines for the 2010 GOP Senate primary in New York.

Washington Post (Washington, DC)
The Supreme Court's rejection of a decision against white firefighters endorsed by Judge Sonia Sotomayor gives Republicans a renewed chance to attack her speeches and writings but is not expected to imperil her confirmation to the high court, political and legal sources said yesterday.

The Hill (Washington, D)
Republicans looking for resurgence in the Northeast will probably need some stumbles by President Obama and the Democratic majority, but they are getting the pieces they need to take advantage.

Daily News Round-Up for June 29, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Washington Post (Washington, DC)
Virginia Republicans, eager to rejuvenate their party, already are turning to an issue that has been one of their most reliable: taxes.

The State (Columbia, SC)
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted Sunday that his first thought as the scandal broke about his extramarital affair with an Argentinean woman was to leave office with 18 months to go in his last term.

New York Times (New York, NY)
Republicans on Sunday roundly criticized an energy plan passed by the House that is intended to address global warming and change the way the United States produces and uses energy.

Real Republican Ally Moves Up in GOP

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:33:00 +0000

Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) was elected to serve as chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee after John Ensign (R-NV) stepped down last week.

Real Republican Ally Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) was chosen to take Senator Thune’s seat as vice chairman of the Senate GOP conference. The Real Republican Majority feels that this is a definite first step in the right direction for the GOP.

After the 2008 election defeat, the GOP has finally realized that common sense wins elections, not extremism. RMC, has always supported candidates with a message of inclusiveness and moderation and is proud that Senator Murkowski is moving up within the Party. RMC is hoping that with your help and our allies, like Senator Murkowski, we can return the GOP to its original big tent philosophy by supporting and electing common sense Republicans.

Daily News Round-Up for June 26, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:32:00 +0000

Politico (Washington, DC)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) was elected to take new Chairman Sen. Jon Thune's place as vice chairwoman of the Senate GOP conference.

Google News (USA)
The man who would replace South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford if he resigned over his affair with a woman in Argentina says the governor should remain in office.

Philadelphia Daily News (Philadelphia, PA)
The strong backing of Democratic Party leaders has done little to change slumping public support for the party's newest convert, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter. Only 28 percent of all those surveyed say that he deserves re-election, according to the latest Keystone Poll, and double that number say it's time for a change.

Bloomberg News (USA)
President Barack Obama prodded lawmakers to approve a "historic" bill to limit greenhouse-gas emissions as part of intensifying lobbying efforts for a vote in the U.S. House that could come today.

Daily News Round-Up for June 25, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:46:00 +0000

Politico (Washington, DC)
In an attempt to highlight what they refer to as a House Democratic "culture of corruption," Republicans have zeroed in on the alleged ethical improprieties of a handful of senior Democrats with ties to the now-defunct PMA lobbying group.

The State (Columbia, SC)
Gov. Mark Sanford admitted Wednesday to an extramarital affair with a woman living in Argentina and to lying to South Carolinians to cover up his tryst - then asked everyone, including his family, for forgiveness.

Times Union (Albany, NY)
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has offered a proposal for a constitutional convention to address many of the issues that have roiled the state in recent years, and the Capitol in recent weeks.

Union Leader (Manchester, NH)
The Republican Party needs to rebuild itself from the bottom up, said Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour last night before addressing a gathering at a New Hampshire State Republican Committee reception.

Daily News Round-Up for June 24, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:05:00 +0000

Philadelphia Business Today (Philadelphia, PA) RMC Ally Rep. Mike Castle (DE-AL) in the News
Rep. Mike Castle (R., Del.) turns 70 next month, and he's facing a tough career decision. "They've asked me to run for the Senate as a Republican. I don't know if I'm going to do that."

The Hill (Washington, DC)
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is moving forward with a floor vote on climate change legislation this week even though many Democrats are undecided on the controversial bill.

Salt Lake Tribune (Salt Lake City, UT)
Lt. Gary Herbert hasn't even been sworn in as governor yet and already there is a movement afoot in the Utah Republican Party to challenge him in the 2010 special election. GOP sources are buzzing about a draft Kirk Jowers movement. The plan is for Jowers to run for governor and Josh Romney, the son of 2008 presidential candidate Mitt Romney, to run as his lieutenant-governor running mate.

USA Today (USA)
President Obama delivered his harshest criticisms of Iran, saying Tuesday he is "appalled and outraged" by the killings of protesters and questioning for the first time the "legitimacy" of the June 12 presidential election.

The State (Columbia, SC)
S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford arrived in the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport this morning, having wrapped up a seven-day visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina, he said. Sanford said he had not been hiking along the Appalachian Trail, as his staff said in a Tuesday statement to the media.

Daily News Round-Up for June 23, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Politico (Washington, DC)
You could almost see the campaign commercials as Sen. Chris Dodd - hard at work in shirt-sleeves - presided last week over three very long days of committee action on health care.

The Hill (Washington, DC)
In a surprising development, House Democrats have reached an agreement to bring a sweeping climate change bill to the floor by the end of the week, Democratic aides announced late Monday night.

Washington Post (Washington, DC)
A key part of the landmark Voting Rights Act survived a constitutional challenge yesterday in the Supreme Court, but justices made it clear that a law forged in the darkest days of the nation's civil rights struggles may no longer be appropriate in a new era of American racial politics.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA)
Neda Agha-Soltan, 26, 'was a beam of light' and not an activist, friends say. The video footage of her bleeding on the street has turned her into an international symbol of the protest movement.

Daily News Round-Up for June 22, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:36:00 +0000

Politico (Washington, DC)
Nearly a month after President Barack Obama picked her for the Supreme Court, Republican senators say Sonia Sotomayor isn't serving as the political lightning rod some in their party had hoped she would be.

New York Daily News (New York, NY)
Republican senators slammed President Obama as "timid" Sunday for not strongly supporting Iran's protesters.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA)
Republicans questioned the cost of healthcare reform plans Sunday, and even Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) acknowledged similar concerns and said she wasn't sure there were enough votes among President Obama's fellow Democrats to pass a plan at the moment.

Washington Post (Washington, DC)
Despite signs that the recession gripping the nation's economy may be easing, the unemployment rate is projected to continue rising for another year before topping out in double digits, a prospect that threatens to slow growth, increase poverty and further complicate the Obama administration's message of optimism about the economic outlook.

Daily News Round-Up for June 19, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:53:00 +0000

Washington Post (Washington, DC) RMC Ally Sen. Olympia Snowe (ME) in the News
Seven senators have formed a bipartisan group to find consensus on health-care reform legislation, a sign of fresh momentum after a week of setbacks.

Politicker NJ (Trenton, NJ)
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani talking to current Mayor Michael Bloomberg about endorsing Republican Chris Christie for Governor of New Jersey.

Politico (Washington, DC)
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele urged supporters Thursday to "fight" ABC News over the network's planned televised town hall on health care that is set to air directly from the White House.

Daily News Round-Up for June 18, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Daily News Miner (Fairbanks, AK) RMC Ally Sen. Lisa Murkowski in the News
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has decided to seek a spot in the Senate Republican leadership that suddenly became available Wednesday.

Politico (Washington, DC)
Health care reform hit a serious setback Wednesday, with the Senate Finance Committee blowing its own deadline for a bill and the Health Committee breaking sharply along partisan lines - developments that place President Barack Obama's August deadline for passing a bill in doubt.

Washington Post (Washington, DC)
President Obama's plan to rein in federal spending on health care could end up shifting costs to the private sector, economists say.

The Hill (Washington, DC)
GOP congressional candidates in the notoriously libertarian Mountain West believe they have an issue that could reap electoral gains in 2010 - government spending.

Daily News Round-Up for June 17, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Washington Post (Washington, DC)
Sen. John Ensign (Nev.), considered a rising star in the Republican Party, yesterday acknowledged an extramarital affair with a former campaign staffer who is married to one of the lawmaker's former legislative aides.

Politico (Washington, DC)
Republicans in both chambers are calling for the White House to develop an "exit strategy" for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, the $700 billion rescue plan conceived by the previous administration.

St. Louis Today (St. Louis, MO)
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is under pressure from top Democrats to abandon her long-expected campaign for governor and instead seek President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat next year.

New Orleans Times Picayune (New Orleans, LA)
The treasurer of Gov. Bobby Jindal's state campaign organization has asked another group of the governor's supporters to cease and disband its activities as a federal campaign organization for a future Jindal presidential bid.

Extremist Views Will Not Win in 2012

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 20:15:00 +0000

It’s only the summer of 2009, but the first signs of the 2012 Presidential elections are already appearing in the GOP. Over the weekend, both MN Governor Tim Pawlenty and supporters close to LA Governor Bobby Jindal made moves that have lead most to believe that they are seriously considering a run for the GOP nomination. Both Pawlenty and Jindal hold far right views on many social issues and will be watched closely to see how they will reconcile their positions with those of the majority of voters. At RRM, we join the millions of Republicans who are looking for a common sense candidate who will promote common ground and moderation of the extreme social agenda which has dominated the GOP in recent years.

In 2008, we saw divisive social issues again sully the waters and Americans reject this method of fishing for votes that has been recently favored by the GOP. Americans don’t want the government to control their personal decisions, but are looking for solutions to the tough problems that are facing us currently, including real ideas to cut our deficit and help our economy rebound. Republicans that are going to be nominated and continue to bring the extremist dialogue to the table are not Republicans who can win in 2012.

RRM wants to know from other moderate Republicans- who would you like to see on the 2012 GOP ticket?

Daily News Round-Up for June 16, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:59:00 +0000

The Hill (Washington, DC)
Congressional Republicans pushed back immediately against the Obama administration's healthcare promotion on Monday, warning of solid opposition to any plan that includes a government role.

New York Daily News (New York, NY)
The White House dangled the ambassadorship to Ireland in front of GOP Rep. Pete King, even before that coveted post went to the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Daily News has learned.

Kansas City Star (Kansas City, MO)
Kansas Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh dropped out of the 2010 race for governor Monday, saying he just couldn't compete with fellow Republican and U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback.

Politico (Washington, DC)
Former Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday that he hopes his "old friend," CIA Director Leon Panetta, was "misquoted" in a magazine story suggesting that Cheney seems to be wishing for the United States to suffer a new terrorist attack just to prove that Cheney is right about the United States being less secure under the Obama administration.

Real Clear Politics (USA)
Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubio will be joined in Washington tomorrow by a leading right-wing voice in the Senate, Jim DeMint of South Carolina.

Daily News Round-Up for June 15, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:13:00 +0000

Google News (USA)
Republicans are lining up behind a pointed political attack line: President Barack Obama is nationalizing American industry and socializing medicine.

US News and Reports (USA)
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has decided against running for a third term in 2010, will spend the next two years traveling the country to see if he can build enough support to run for president in 2012, according to associates.

Southern Political Report (La Grange, GA)
Once written off for dead by the media, the Northeastern Republican is poised for a huge comeback in 2010.

Politico (Washington, DC)
In the nearly five months since he was sworn into office, embattled Dem Senator Burris (IL)has not been the lead sponsor of any of the 1,300 amendments filed for Senate floor consideration.

Times Picayune (New Orleans, LA)
A group of Gov. Bobby Jindal's political supporters, including an uncle of the governor's wife, Supriya Jindal, are forming a federal political action committee to support a presidential run by the 38-year-old Republican.

Daily News Round-Up for June 12, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:58:00 +0000

The Hill (Washington, DC)
The suspecting in the Holocaust Museum shooting had the office address of a member of Congress. The Capitol Police has stated that there is no immediate threat to the member at this time.

The Hill (Washington, DC)
The Virginia Gubernatorial election is being closely watched as many observers see it as the first referendum on President Obama's policies.

Politico (Washington, DC)
With so many key pieces of legislation, such as heath care, energy, war funding, and the Supreme Court nomination hearings facing the congress this summer should be intense.

ABC News (Washington, DC)
Gov. Palin says she sees 'a lot of disagreement' within the Republican Party in an interview on what her future roll will be in the party.

ABC News (Washington, DC)
The Iranian election has the potential to offer an early verdict on the impact of Obama's new approach to foreign policy and the Middle East.

News Round-Up for June 11, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:33:00 +0000

The Hill (Washington, DC)
U.S. Capitol Police have tightened security around the Capitol after a security guard at the Holocaust Memorial Museum was shot and killed by an elderly man with ties to white supremacist groups.

The Hill (Washington, DC)
Republicans are hoping to use House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's poor approval ratings as a method to gain national support for republicans in the mid-term elections. Republicans hope they can use Democratic policies that have met with widespread opposition for their political gain.

Politico (Washington, DC)
The Republican Party must gain a significant portion of the Hispanic vote in order to win national elections.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA)
Gov. Schwarzenegger has threatened to shut down the state government rather than agree to a high-interest loan to keep the state afloat if he and the legislature do not close the yawning budget gap in coming weeks.

Newsweek (Washington, DC)
There is a potential compromise on one of the most difficult issues of the health care overhaul debate - whether to create a new government-sponsored health plan to compete with private insurers. The compromise would create health care cooperatives owned by groups of residents and small businesses, similar to how electric or other cooperatives operate.

ABC News (Washington, DC)
Rep. Eric Cantor predicted today that Republicans would trounce Democrats in the 2010 midterm elections and could take back control of the House of Representatives.

Alert: Affordable healthcare, but at what cost?

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:49:00 +0000

While affordable healthcare should be a main concern for the U.S. government, the newly released healthcare reform bill offers a resolution for the estimated 46 million uninsured Americans, but the results would be bigger government, more restrictions and higher costs for those that are already insured.

The only way to obtain the goals of the healthcare reform bill would be to raise taxes, co-pays and premiums of the millions of Americans who already have insurance. Moreover, if the government aims to keep costs low, patients will most likely not have a say in which doctors, procedures, and hospitals they can chose.

In an ideal situation, affordable healthcare would be available to each citizen of the United States, while keeping overhead and costs low; however, the healthcare reform bill offered by Democrats has lofty goals with no real prescription for obtaining them. However, with Democrats so eager to pass the bill, it is probable that they will compromise with Republicans, resulting in a more comprehensive and cost-effective plan.

Real Republican Majority would love to hear your views on this complicated issue! Affordable healthcare is a crucial element in achieving RRM’s goals, but is this the best viable plan? Should the American people take whatever plan we can get our lawmakers to pass? Or should we demand a plan that actually works?

News Round-Up for June 10, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:41:00 +0000

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA)
Democratic voters and local party officials have begun bucking the party establishment by encouraging U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak to make a run against Sen. Arlen Specter in the primary, Sestak said Monday.

The Hill (Washington, DC)
House Democratic leaders gave members their first glimpse of their version of President Obama's healthcare overhaul on Tuesday, with liberals leaving the meeting happy and centrist Democrats walking away skeptical.

The Hill (Washington, DC)
A new survey indicates that self-identified Republicans do not feel like there is a clear leader and that a third of them do not think of the Republican Party in a "favorable-light".

Politico (Washington, DC)
In a surprising victory State Senator Creigh Deeds crushed two opponents Tuesday to win the Democratic nomination for the Virginia Governorship.

Politico (Washington, DC)
The Republicans are getting ready for a N.Y special election in the 23rd. Democrats have picked off five GOP-held upstate House seats, whittling down the state's GOP House delegations to just three members. Now, Democrats are eyeing McHugh's district, which, if lost, would leave Republicans with just two of New York's 29 House seats.

Alert: Virginia Gubernatorial Primary Results

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:43:00 +0000

Yesterday, State Senator R. Creigh Deeds won Virginia’s three-way Democratic primary for governor. Deeds won 50% of the vote, followed by former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe with 26% and former Alexandria delegate Brian Moran with 24%.

It was a surprising victory for Deeds as his two opponents were better-funded and better-positioned. Despite having a more conservative message, which is uncharacteristic of the people of Northern Virginia, Deeds was able to combat McAuliffe and his estimated six million dollar campaign. It was an upsetting loss for McAuliffe who outspent both candidates, had a larger campaign staff and even had the endorsement of President Bill Clinton.

Deeds will face Republican Robert F. McDonnell in the general election, reminiscent of the race for attorney general four years ago, which McDonnell narrowly won after a late surge by Deeds.

Will the Real Republican Please Stand Up?

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:33:00 +0000

Over the past few weeks, the Republican Party has been less concerned with the fact that its popularity is dwindling and more so with the debate of who is the real Republican—Cheney or Powell? Instead of trying to unite the Party and move forward using the original big-tent philosophy of the GOP, key members of the Party have set out to divide, with the only consequence being the ultimate demise of the once majority-holding GOP.

Last night, however, Newt Gingrich offered a new message, one of inclusion. Gingrich and other Party leaders are finally responding to the mainstream majority in the GOP who know that the promotion of a true big-tent is the only way our Party will ever win elections. Gingrich said, “History teaches us that there is a road back to the majority, if we are prepared to be inclusive and not exclusive. I am happy that Dick Cheney is a Republican. I am also happy Colin Powell is a Republican." He reminded members at the annual GOP fundraiser that within a majority-holding party there would always be debate about he direction of the Party, but it is only with the support of conservatives, moderates, and even Democrats that the GOP will have a chance of defeating their opponents.

We at RRM have long championed the return of the Party to its core big-tent beliefs and hope that Party leaders have finally joined us in supporting this call. Please let us know what you thought of Newt Gingrich’s speech and other statements made at last night’s fundraiser.

For full audio version of Newt Gingrich’s speech please visit this link.

Daily News Round-Up for June 9, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:56:00 +0000

Politics Daily (Washington, DC)
The Republican Party seems to have faced a number of existential choices recently -- Powell or Limbaugh? Limbaugh or Cheney? Gingrich or Palin? The Gingrich/Palin question provided the highly dramatic backdrop for Monday's annual fundraising gala for the Republicans' House and Senate campaign committees.

Newsday (New York, NY)
A sudden state of confusion in the leadership of the NY State Senate has the potential for significant leadership shifts in the committee structure of that legislative body not to mention the legislative agenda of Gov. David Patterson.

Washington Post (Washington, DC)
President Obama is pushing for new pay-as-you-go rule that would require lawmakers to pay for increases in entitlement programs or tax cuts through spending cuts or tax increases.

Bloomberg News (New York, NY)
House Democrats drafting health-care overhaul legislation will lay out proposals today that include creating a government-run program to help cover the uninsured, even as Republicans stiffen their resistance to that idea.

Richmond Times-Dispatch (Richmond, VA)
Primary voting is underway across Virginia this morning and the turnout is expected to be light despite a contentious three-way race for the gubernatorial Democratic nomination between R. Creigh Deeds, Terry McAuliffe and Brian J. Moran

A Parliamentary Coup on the NY State Senate

noreply@blogger.com (RealRepublicanMajority.org) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:11:00 +0000

In a stunning and rapid series of events yesterday, the majority in the NYS Senate shifted back to the GOP after Democratic Senators Pedro Espada (Bronx) and Hiram Monserrate (Corona) joined the GOP in a vote to oust Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.

The genesis of this coup began months ago when Smith was named Majority Leader with a lot of help from Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano the titular head of the state Independence Party. Golisano quickly became disenchanted with the new majority when the new state budget significantly increased taxes on upper incomes. His next move was to lobby for shared non-partisan leadership in the Senate.

The two defecting Senators were interesting choices, considering one is currently under indictment for a domestic violence charge and the other is being investigated for living outside his district and failing to file campaign finance reports. If the former is convicted and removed from office the the GOP and Democratic Party will essentially be tied in the State Senate. If the investigation results in further legal action for the other the majority could swing back to the Democrats by a single vote.

As of today the NYS Senate Majority Leadership has been recaptured by Republican Dean Skelos of Rockville Center, while Democrat Pedro Espada has been named President Pro Tem of the state Senate, the second most powerful position today due to the absence of a Lt. Governor.

It is anticipated that a series of law suits will be filed by this afternoon nullifying or at the least suspending yesterdays actions so no additional changes in powerful committee leadership positions can be made.