The Daily News reports that Joe Bruno said he's stepping down because he doesn't want the FBI probe to be an issue in this fall's elections.

Of course he claims that he's done nothing wrong. But if he were truly concerned the the FBI probe itself was a problem, why didn't he step down two years ago? They were investigating him then, but he didn't step down. Furthermore, regardless of whether he's still the majority leader, if the FBI nails him it will be an election issue.

It seems clear to me that the FBI has something on him, or is at least close to a major announcement (read: indictment?). There are two possible reasons for Bruno's action -- either he knows he's toast and wants to limit the damage, or he has made a deal so that the FBI won't do anything public until after the election. Since there are reports that Bruno tried to make a deal with the FBI before stepping down, the latter possibility seems to be highly probable.

Capitol News is reporting that Tom Golisano is forming a 527 committee to support certain Democratic state Senate candidates.

Among those being supported are: Kathy Konst, who is challening Dale Volker (assuming she gets her new website up); Joe Mesi, who is challenging Mary Lou Rath in Erie; and Rick Dollinger, who is challengin Joe Robach in Monroe. He may also support Dan Squadron against Martin Connor and another primary challenge in Buffalo.

Just when you thought things were as crazy as they could get...

Jimmy Dahroug picks up two good endorsements in his bid to turn the State Senate blue. Remember, Jimmy was one of two Democrats who came closest to picking up a State Senate seat in 2006 and has a better shot this year thanks to a better organized campaign and an earlier start. From Jimmy Dahroug's campaign:

Legislator Ricardo Montano, Islip Dem Chair Ivan Young Endorse Dahroug

Today Dahroug for Senate campaign received two major endorsements. Suffolk County Legislator Ricardo Montano, (9th L.D.) representing Brentwood, Central Islip and Islandia, and Islip Town Democratic Chairman Ivan Young officially endorsed Jimmy Dahroug's campaign for New York State Senate (S.D. 3).

While Legislator Montano moved to suspend his bid for the State Senate, he has decided to put his full support behind Jimmy Dahroug. In a letter to Democratic Party Committee Members, Montano stated, "I believe that with hard work and the right candidate we Democrats will win the 3rd Senate District and the State Senate this November. That is why I am endorsing Jimmy Dahroug for State Senate.

Back in January 2006 I had as my goals:

1.) defeating the Bush/Gingrich/McCain agenda nationally

2.) defeating the Pataki, Bruno and Silver Albany constipation

3.) defeating the local Brooklyn Vito Lopez machine.

Still working on #3 through several channels. And it remains to be seen whether indictments or ill health or Brooklyn fatigue with corruption bring down Vito Lopez. For my part I prefer indictments to ill health. But Charles Hynes, the Brooklyn DA, has pushed that aside and has focused on other, also worthy efforts. So we wait to see who will replace Lopez in time.

Goal #1 began to happen in 2006 with a massive take over of the House and an evening up of the Senate. And we have a damned good shot at continuing this in 2008 with MORE House seats, a REAL takeover of the Senate and a White House win by Obama.

From a press release from Jimmy Dahroug:

"Brian Foley's bid for the State Senate is not helpful to the voters in Brookhaven who supported him for supervisor. Brookhaven is in a state of crisis and our supervisor should not abandon us for another office only months into his term."
-Barry McCoy
Democratic State Committeeman
Brookhaven District Leader, Council 1

"As a Democratic foot soldier in Brookhaven, I urge Brian Foley to stay in Brookhaven and finish the job he started. We can win back the council majority and continue the fight for good government -- but only if Brian stays completely focused on his job in Brookhaven. We need him now more than ever."
-Jerry Gasowski,
Brookhaven Democratic Committee Member

"I supported Brian Foley in his bid to become Brookhaven Supervisor and I believe he should stay right here and finish the job he started."
-William Maddock
Brookhaven Democratic Committee Member

The statements above are from Democratic Committee members who believe Supervisor Brian Foley should end his last-minute bid for the state Senate and focus on the urgent needs of Brookhaven Town.

I am on the host committee for a fundraiser for Jimmy Dahroug and I hope you can all attend, spread the word, and/or contribute. Jimmy's fundraisers are pretty damned good and this one includes special guest Jim Dean, brother of Howard Dean and head of Democracy for America.

From the Jimmy Dahroug Campaign:

Wed., May. 14, 2008
Manhattan Cocktail Reception
Campaign Co-Chair Dr. Bonnie Maslin and her Husband, Dr. Yehuda Nir are hosting a cocktail reception for our reform campaign. Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean will be the Guest speaker
Location: 1050 Park Avenue, at the corner of East 87th Street
When: 6:00 PM
Ends: 9:00 PM

Wherever you live in New York State, the upcoming election in my district will affect you, me, our friends, and our families for generations to come.

Today, we are only two seats away from gaining a Democratic majority in the New York State Senate. This will end the stagnation caused by four decades of Republican domination including the Republican gerrymandering which has prevented us from turning more of New York's congressional seats blue.

Ken Diamondstone has announced that he will not run against Marty Connor this year.

In his press release, Diamondstone said, "I'm not going to engage in a three-way primary that divides the progressive vote. The needs of my fellow constituents are simply too important. Instead, I will be seeking other opportunities to work on behalf of progressive reform for the benefit of all New Yorkers."

Albany is the site of one of this nation's most dysfunctional state legislatures. It is well known for getting nothing done. This is one thing that cannot be completely blamed on the Republicans because Democrats like Shelly Silver are just as do-nothing as the Republicans. Winning the State Senate, and thus getting rid of the worst obstructionist, Joe Bruno, is a critical part of reforming Albany...and one I focus on at our NY State Act Blue Site, helping defend Andrea Stewart-Cousins' seat and supporting Jimmy Dahroug and Jim Gennaro in their State Senate bids. But there is more to reforming Albany than just electing more Democrats. We also have to defeat those Democrats who have become part of Albany dysfunction.

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...

As of last night, Joe Bruno doesn't really have a working majority any more. Aubertine just won the 48th State Senate seat, bringing the State Senate to a virtual tie between Dems and Repubs. We still have a long way to go to clear up Albany Constipation, but this is a big step in the right direction.

In November we will have some defense to worry about, both for the 48th and for Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who picked up a seat in 2006 and who is being targeted by some nasty Republican smear attacks. And we have to pick up at least one more seat (I'd like to see at least three more, just to make sure) to get a real Democratic majority. If we can do that, Joe Bruno will be pushed aside into insignificance and Albany will take one more step out of the dysfunction that Pataki, Shelly Silver and Joe Bruno had so perfected. Pataki's gone. Bruno is on notice. Even Silver has a challenge from Paul Newell. Reform moves forward, slowly, but surely.