Calling all lawyers: Can the NY Senate R's dictate the leadership of the opposition party?

[clear eye]

The deal that enabled the Republicans to woo Democratic Sens. Pedro Espada and Hiram Monserrate to their side in today's coup has been months in the making and will result in an unusual degree of power-sharing in the chamber, according to one insider with knowledge of the deal.

Assuming it all holds - and that isn't a foregone conclusion (I smell a major lawsuit) - here's what we know:

Aside from Democratic Senate President Pedro Espada Jr., shown here being sworn in to his new leadership post along with Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos in the wake of the coup, there will be as many as 10 Democrats who get committee chairmanships.

By making Espada the Dem Senate President and choosing Democratic committee chairs, isn't that what they're doing?


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/06/true-power-sharing-in-senate.html#ixzz0I4i5DIPl&C