It appears that there is far more to this story than meets the eye. The following is cobbled together from several sources, all of whom are highly placed enough (for the information they have given me) and well enough known to me that I am convinced of their authenticity, but all of whom have requested anonymity for one reason or another:

Apparently, the state Democratic Party is not behind Republican-turned-Democrat Christopher Bodkin’s recent conversion, nor are they behind his appearance on the scene as a possible opponent to Caesar Trunzo. It may also be true (although I cannot get specific information on this) that the state Democratic Senate Campaign Committee (DSCC) wasn’t directly involved either, at least at first. According to my sources, the catalyst is even higher.

Congressman Steve Israel represents the 2nd Congressional District, which includes much of that state Senate district. Congressman Steve Israel also raises a lot of money for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC, a.k.a. “D-triple-C). As a result, to a large extent, whatever Congressman Steve Israel wants, Congressman Steve Israel gets.

What does this mean? Read on...

And Congressman Steve Israel is a longtime friend of Republican-turned-Democrat Christopher Bodkin.

Put this all together, and it appears (repeat: “appears”) that Congressman Steve Israel may have been the force behind Republican-turned-Democrat Christopher Bodkin’s conversion and his rise to prominence.

What Congressman Steve Israel doesn’t seem to know, or understand, is that there is a large grass roots movement behind Jimmy Dahroug, and that the grass roots cannot and will not be contained, controlled, or ordered by anyone. Indeed, few people involved in the party machinery, on any level, seem to understand that second point (there are a few, but not many).

Now that Governor Spitzer has stepped down, Democrats are back to being two seats away from control of the state Senate. The party may also lose a lot of money that would have been contributed between now and November. This means that the various Democratic committees can ill afford to waste time, money, and other resources backing someone who will have serious opposition within the party – especially if that opposition comes from the grass roots.

With the near certainty that Joe Addabbo will need overwhelming support in order to defeat both Serph Maltese and Albert Baldeo in November (Baldeo will run on an independent line, and what votes he gets won’t be coming from Maltese), the lack of in-district name recognition for Jim Gennaro who is running against Frank Padavan, the need to defend Darrel Aubertine’s recently won seat from what will certainly be a furious Republican assault, Democratic strategists in Albany need all the outside help they can get. They’re not going to get it if they persist in ignoring or opposing the very people who can help them.

Perhaps someone could explain to Congressman Steve Israel that the DCCC is not nearly as important in this election as what happens in the Senate, at both the state and federal levels. Perhaps someone could explain to Congressman Steve Israel that there is a serious candidate in the state Senate district who could defeat Caesar Trunzo, if only the various party committees came together with the grass roots to support him.

Perhaps someone could explain to Congressman Steve Israel, the state party, and the DSCC that the grass roots is here to stay, getting stronger every day, and ready to make the difference.

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