Yep. Right. Sure.
Pedro Espada explaining things Thursday afternoon
The state Senate Democrats -- now back in power after making a deal with Pedro Espada -- got together for a press conference this afternoon to talk about everything that went down. And we gotta say, some of their comments were almost unbelievable.
So here are eight quotes that made us go "What?! Seriously?!" Just a warning -- these comments may make your head explode.
The new lineup
John Sampson
conference leader
Malcolm Smith
president pro tem
Pedro Espada
majority leader
"These last 30 days we had ... a lot of time to reflect on some of our strengths and weaknesses. But, yet, and still, we were all adult enough to make sure we came together to do the people's business."
- Malcolm Smith
"When my granddaughter ... was seeing all the negative press about me, about the institution, about my colleagues, about this process... she called me one late night -- a very bright 13 year old -- and was asking if I could explain this to her. And explaining it to her meant explaining it everyone who was looking. But this naive, innocent soul touched my heart. And I explained to her not to judge me, or us, in that moment, but to look at the results of our actions. The results of our actions she will be very proud of today. The 19.5 [million] people will learn to be proud of this accomplishment today."
- Pedro Espada
"It's often been said that some of the strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire. Well, one month and one day a go this conference and the entire state Senate was put to the test. And today as we announce a once-again Democratic majority in the state Senate, we have passed that test and exceeded the highest expectations."
- Carl Kruger
"Before I say anything, I have to wish a very happy birthday to Irene Liu. Happy birthday, Irene."
- Ruben Diaz
(Diaz then stopped the press conference to sing two rounds of Happy Birthday, one for Irene and another for a Senate staffer. We are not making this up.*)
"I have grown to admire Pedro Espada even that much more for the tremendous tenacity and grit that he showed facing tremendous opposition."
- Hiram Monserrate
"Over the six weeks that I collaborated with Republican Senators to have a really intense conversation about how they felt being in the minority. I've been in the minority all my life. My colleagues understand that the disproportionality of resources has hurt our communities and generations of people in our communities. That was a lesson they didn't understand ... So, I've stepped right into their reality, they've stepped right into mine. And through me the realities of inner city children, families on public assistance, they're jobless not just for a day or week or as product of a bad recession, but because of generations of joblessness and school dropouts. That's not a lesson and reality that they really understood. They now understand that much, much better."
- Pedro Espada
"The truth is that I am none of those things. The truth is that my colleagues know that. And the truth is that we've put that behind us."
- Pedro Espada, referring to the accusations Democrats made that he was a liar and a scofflaw
"This has never been about titles. Obviously."
- Pedro Espada
* We have nothing against Irene. We hear that she's an absolutely lovely person. But right in the middle of this press conference? Seriously?
screengrab: NY Senate
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
I've grown to admire Pedro Espada even that much more for the tremendous set of balls and grit that he showed facing tremendous lack of name recognition up until last month.
... said Pat on Jul 9, 2009 at 9:13 PM | link
OH man, poor Irene. I feel embarrassed for her just reading that.
The NYS Senate, on the other hand, I don't think has it in them to be embarrassed. The last four weeks and today's press conference are proof of that.
... said Kevin Marshall on Jul 9, 2009 at 9:18 PM | link
I've never in my life been more ashamed to be a New Yorker than over the past 30 days. Their behavior and hubris is appalling, and now they want us all to hold hands and sing kumbyah? This is a family blog so I will hold the rest of this paragraph to myself.
If ever there was a case for term limits, it's been this past month.
... said AddiesDad on Jul 9, 2009 at 9:38 PM | link
Stop the press - breaking news: "Democratic Senator willing to vote with Democrats." Gotta love him!
... said the_exile on Jul 10, 2009 at 12:56 AM | link
Can you get more out of touch? Happy Birthday??! URhhraaaagghh my brain hurts!
... said Ryan on Jul 10, 2009 at 7:06 AM | link
Did any of them happen to mention that the purple Fruit Loops taste exactly like the green ones? Maybe we'll get lucky and they can hold that press conference today.
Did I mention that they are all Jackasses...I suppose I don't have to.
... said Brett on Jul 10, 2009 at 8:04 AM | link
I'm about two seconds away from hulking out after reading those quotes. COMPUTER SCREEN SMASH!!!!
... said Mrs. Misanthrope on Jul 10, 2009 at 8:05 AM | link
Oh my jesusing god... seriously? SERIOUSLY? They're all talking like they just led the state through Hurricane Katrina... when in reality, none of this would have happened if they hadn't started assing around and behaving like children who can't decide who gets to be the cowboy and who gets to be the Indian.
I wish my brain had exploded after reading those. Instead, it's just retreated to a corner of my skull to weep softly.
... said Siobhan on Jul 10, 2009 at 9:10 AM | link
TU headline - "Prodigal son returns"
Umm, really?
... said Diana on Jul 10, 2009 at 10:05 AM | link
Pedro Espada is a scuzz bucket and all NYS residents should have demanded his resignation. Now I think all the State Senators should resign in disgrace.
... said FedUp on Jul 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM | link
If I'm ever on my lunchtime stroll and happen across Espada and his smirking mug, I don't think I will be able to resist smacking it off.
... said Summer on Jul 10, 2009 at 1:51 PM | link
I am SO taking the Senate off my resume.
... said CJ on Jul 10, 2009 at 6:15 PM | link