A Tipping Point in New York?

This hasn’t been the best week for New York Democrats. The State Senate has virtually ceased to function thanks to a crippling coup staged by GOP leadership and dissenting Democrats, Governor David Paterson is growing increasingly unpopular, and the race for his seat in 2010 looks as though it could play out like the reunion show of a 90’s era sitcom: names and faces we remember, all clamoring to revive their careers.

(Flickr user phlewzy (cc: by-nc-sa))

But with the new week came a much-needed respite from the dizzying incompetence in Albany, and from an unlikely source. Former State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (R., NY-43) hopped the fence and joined Gov. Paterson and Senate Democrats who support a bill that would legalize gay marriage in New York.

Of course, Bruno doesn’t have any legislative power, but supporters of the bill are hoping that the sight of one of the most influential and well-known Republicans in New York coming out in favor of marriage equality will persuade more moderate Republicans (and for that matter moderate Democrats who don’t already support the bill) to follow suit.

Bruno explained his about face to the AP:

“As a Republican, I believe in personal freedom. I opposed same sex marriage largely because the overwhelming majority of my caucus opposed it. As a relatively conservative Roman Catholic, I instinctively view marriage as the foundation of the family. However, that view really does conflict with the rights that are afforded all of us. This is America and we have inalienable rights…”

If Bruno’s support sways enough senators, the passage of the bill could be especially embarrassing for Hiram Monserrate and Pedro Espada Jr., the two Democratic senators who staged a very public and very messy coup in Albany about a week ago.

The two senators’ departure from the Democratic caucus was due in large part to their opposition to marriage equality, an issue that Democratic leadership has been vocally supportive of. Should the State Senate pass the bill, Monserrate and Espada Jr. would lose one of their most significant bargaining chips in dealing with Democratic leadership.

Of course, before anyone can talk about passing any bill at all, first we need a functional legislature.

MORE from around the net:

Gothamist has a good look at Bruno’s impact.