Obama now getting involved in the New York Senate fight
Lookout Florida resident Tom Golisano, there’s a new heavyweight in town. According to New York Magazine, the President of the United States himself has been on the phone with Democratic defectors Pedro Espada and Hiram Monserrate in an effort to bring them back into the fold:
Though it’s been reported that the White House political director Patrick Gaspard has been on the phone with Albany, the rumor right now is that President Obama himself placed calls to both Monserrate and fellow defector Pedro Espada, Jr. - that’s unconfirmed, but if true, it’s presumably to coax them back into the Democrats’ fold. There’s also buzz that Obama might have spoken with another Democratic senator, Darrel Aubertine, who is reportedly considering a run for Congress.
Monserrate has also been meeting with Senator John Sampson, the likely heir to Malcolm Smith as Democratic Leader. It is clear that at the very least, Monserrate is conflicted about his role in the coup and may be looking for a fast way out. Sampson has also been using some big guns in the caucus to persuade Monserrate to stick with them, none other than Carl Kruger and Ruben Diaz, the two of the “Gang of Three/Four” who didn’t defect.
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