Maybe yesterday’s New York State Senate shake up isn’t all bad news? Despite the apparent loss of two Democrats to the Republican party, at least one of them is calling on his peers to bring same-sex marriage to a vote.
As we noted yesterday in our analysis of how marriage would be affected by the fracas, Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx (who yesterday, along with Hiram Monserrate of Queens, aligned himself with Republicans) openly stated he supported marriage equality.
In an interview this morning, he declared he wanted the bill to go to a vote. But, he notes: “There will be no guarantees and no quid pro quos, I think there will be a vote of conscience of the senators. And with my partner in government, Senator Skelos, we have not discussed bringing it out to the floor. I’m expressing my own personal desire to see a full debate and decision on this matter.”
Which means while Espada may want the vote brought to the floor, his new Majority Leader Sen. Dean Skelos may not allow it. Which wouldn’t exactly be much of a turn of events; the Democratic Majority Leader (up until yesterday) Malcolm Smith wouldn’t give the bill a vote, either.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Cam
Well if the Dems want money etc… to help them retake the chamber, I’m donating based on Marriage this time around, if they aren’t for it then good luck and don’t call for money.
Captain Freedom
@Cam: I totally agree. The Democrats in New York are despicable. At first I was strongly vehemently outraged by the coup but now looking at it in retrospect it might not be the worst thing.
Pedro Espada says he is for gay marriage and Monserrate may be leaning in that direction too. That is a major step forward.
Indeed Malcolm Smith made that corrupt bargain with mafia Don, Ruben Diaz and prevented marriage from happening at all.
However, there were MANY Republicans who were undecided but not because they were anti-marriage rather because they didn’t want to ally with Malcolm Smith. Fair enough. Now that he’s gone let’s hope they unite with the coalition and lets get marriage passed NOW.
MFairness
Regardless of what these questionable politicians are doing in their various powerplays, let’s speak out on how we, as constituents, want marriage NOW. Visit MarriageNY.com to find out how you can do so in only a few minutes!
galefan20004
Seriously, we need to get over this democrats love gays and republicans hate gays idea of thinking. It simply is not that way anymore. I know plenty of democrats that do not support gay marriage (hell Obama is on that list) and more and more republicans are getting behind the idea. The religious right is dieing a slow death, but not because of politics. There has been a wide spread shift in religion in the past ten years and more members are going to churches that teach love thy neighbor lessons as compared to those that teach be a bigot for Jesus lessons.
tavdy79
Espada Jr. was one of the original “gang of three” that blocked Smith’s election over the gay marriage bill, so evidently someone has been doing a lot of legwork in NYC to convince him to change his position. Since Skelos is a Long Island Republican, and so one of the Repubs being targeted as possible “yes” votes, I wouldn’t be so sure about Skelos not bringing the gay marriage bill to the NY senate floor – he could well have relatively little to lose. Skelos was first elected to the NY senate in 1982, and a constituency can change a lot in 27 years.
I t certainly put it past Espada Jr. (and Monserrate if he’s also a yes vote) to have cut a deal with Skelos – again, because Espada has tried exactly the same thing (albeit in reverse) on this very topic before. It doesn’t make sense to me for Espada to change allegiances like this otherwise since his earlier threat to caucus with the Repubs was based on a position he has now reversed. The possibility of it leading to the shaming of both Diaz and Smith in the eyes of Dem voters may be an additional sweetener for Skelos.
Jeff Campagna
Regardless of our speculation, it is important that we keep pressure on Skelos, Espada, and Monseratte to ensure that there is a vote.
Espada’s alleged good intentions will not translate into a vote on marriage unless we pressure him to pressure Skelos. We should all feel justified in calling him, no matter where we live since his position as President Pro Tempore of the Senate is an at large position.
And Skelos should not feel free of the scrutiny that Malcolm Smith received. We must all call every day to make sure he does bring the bill to a vote and to make sure he gets the message that the advance of civil rights is the people’s business.
As for Monseratte, he’s a real piece of work. Last year he wouldn’t stop calling me to ask me to hold fundraisers in the gay community for him. Am I ever glad I didn’t. This guy knows his time in office is going to be short. He’ll be lucky if he doesn’t go to jail or get impeached. Don’t just trust him to vote for the bill. Call him, wherever you live in the country, let him know you’re watching, and that you expect him to fiercely support the bill.
Numbers for all three can be found at http://www.ThePowerOnline.org/blog.
andy_d
@Cam: Based on the lack of support from the presidential candidates, that’s why I returned ALL mailings I received from the Democratic National Committee asking “Why should I support a group that won’t support my right to marry?”
Steve
Same-sex marriage is not going to pass in NY this year. That much seems certain. They might not even be able to pass a budget. If I were a D in the NY Senate, I would NOT vote to end debate on anything, even a budget, for as long as the R’s hold leadership hostage.
But NY is not the only show in town. It has been entertaining, surely, but it is not the only show.
What is happening in New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, or other nearby states?
PaulD
@Steve: Jersey has a shot. Having grown up in PA, I can tell you that they do not. PA has too many old people and too many Catholics. Plus, while Gov. Rendell is on our side, the legislature won’t go for it.
Michael E. Freeman Saulsberre
Gays are despicable evil sinful people who want to destroy the fabric of america with this homo-marriage nonsense
Obviously you people don’t believe in Gods word so don’t get mad when you’re sent to Hell for this .
BrianZ
@Michael E. Freeman Saulsberre: Are those the things you tell yourself to keep your own queer inclinations under-cova?
michael E freeman Saulsberre
BrianZ, watch ya mouth you faggot gayblade I love women I love vagina I love the way it feels you Homo that’s why you’re gonna burn in hell if youre not burning with aids right now homo