The State Senate Obameter
Springfield produced a presidential candidate—could Albany?
Experts rate the contenders.
Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:05:00
Now he is the Democratic nominee and presidential frontrunner, but until just four years ago, Barack Obama was the state senator from the 13th district on the South Side of Chicago.
• Strange turns in Illinois politics put him on track to win the U.S. Senate seat in 2004 after seven years in Springfield, and a masterful keynote address at the Democratic National Convention that August sparked the beginning of his presidential campaign.
• Obama is clearly a unique political figure. But nonetheless, now that Hillary Clinton is out of the race, his meteoric rise leaves just one question for New Yorker politicians: how do our own state senators compare?
• In consultation with the experts, The Capitol picked 15 of the New York State Senate's most promising (leaders were excluded), then had a panel of 10 consultants rate each on a 1-5 scale for Style, Substance and Savvy.
• Top score in each category: 50. Top combined score: 150.
BARACK OBAMA spent seven years in the Illinois State Senate before becoming the unexpected frontrunner for the U.S. Senate nomination in 2004.
Those were a busy seven years, especially after the Democrats seized the majority from the Republicans in the 2002 elections. After running for his first term on a platform of fixing government and restoring voters' trust, Obama quickly earned praise for his efforts to reform Illinois government by trying to reduce outside influence and create more transparency in Springfield.
Right after coming into office, Obama helped write an ethics reform bill that the Associated Press quickly hailed as one of "the most restrictive ethics bills since Watergate."
Among the many restrictions, the bill bans legislators from accepting gifts from lobbyists or people doing business with the government. In addition, campaign contributors have to disclose their profession and employer to the government.
He also focused on legislation to help the economically depressed and disadvantaged. Days after being elected, he told the Chicago Sun-Times that he wanted to create a "progressive state coalition that can serve not only Chicago's interests but those who lack opportunity everywhere," and, over his time in the State Senate, tried to increase government action for his progressive agenda on health care, poverty and crime-culminating in his chairmanship of the State Senate Health and Human Services Committee during his last two years in the state capital.
In 2003, he raised the insurance eligibility limit for the Children Health Insurance Program to 200 percent of the poverty line. The increase allowed for previously uninsured children to be covered by the act.
Given his South Side Chicago district, Obama naturally gravitated toward crime-fighting legislation, sponsoring or co-sponsoring 112 bills in the area, including as chief sponsor of legislation that requires prospective gun owners to sign a waiver disclosing mental health records. Designed to reduce the gun violence caused by the mentally ill, the bill denied gun permits to people with such a history.
He established a community reintegration program for juvenile offenders who finished their sentences, then, two years later, introduced a bill that would have required schools to give expelled and suspended students an alternative school to attend.
That stalled in committee, as did many other bills that the man who is now the Democratic nominee tried to push forward. While he sponsored over 800 bills in his State Senate career, many bills never emerged from the Rules Committee. Growing seniority did not help much-during his last year in the State Senate, 99 of the 147 bills on which Obama was the chief sponsor floundered in committee.
Undeterred by this or by being in the minority for much of his time in Springfield, Obama employed the same kind of unwillingness to bide his time which has so thoroughly defined his presidential campaign. And he has used the legislative record he was able to amass in those years as a major selling point for his campaign, often referring to the ethics reform bill that helped burnish his reformist image.
"He was a very 'eager-beaver' to have something to do as a rookie state senator," said State Sen. Kirk Dillard (R), who represents a district near Obama's old one, southwest of Chicago, and has worked with Obama on the ethics reform bill.
"A charming personality and intellect which Mr. Obama has used to captivate Americans," Dillard said, "are the same skills he used to work with different political parties and geographic legislators."
OUR PANEL:
Norman Adler • Bob Bellafiore • Susan Del Percio • Tom Doherty • Steve Greenberg
Kyle Kotary • Bill O'Reilly • Evan Stavisky • Ryan Toohey • Kevin Wardally
The son of a longtime fixture in Bronx politics, Serrano is "somebody who's grown up in and around politics. He knows all the right things to do and say." He "likes the spotlight," said one consultant, but another pointed out that he used it well to jump from the New York City Council to the Senate by beating the party-switching Olga Mendez in 2004. "I think when you defeat a 26-year incumbent, that says to me the guy knows what he's doing," said one consultant. But while he "looks the part," another warned that he needs to do more to build a record, calling him a "great guy, but not a good coalition builder."
The whole state watched as this Nassau Democrat won the battle for the Republican seat that brought in nearly the entire political world in the beginning of 2007. "When you talk about savvy, he's been in the political life long enough to take on the Republican machine out there," said one impressed consultant, but another said he has not yet "made a splash." While one called him "a schlump" and another points to a "nasty streak," he has gained some new fans. "He's surprised me tremendously," said one. "He actually is pretty substantial," admitted another reluctant admirer. And to one wooed consultant, Johnson might actually fit the Obameter bill. "When I think of inspirational leaders like a Senator Obama here in New York, I think of Craig Johnson."
After winning a Republican Senate seat and successfully defending it, this Bronx-based politician who "lives and breathes this stuff" quickly rose through the ranks to deputy minority leader, but so quickly that now he "can't get rid of the rumors he wants to take out Malcolm Smith." Helping craft the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee effort this year is just part of his recognized ability to be "always looking at the big picture," though one consultant referred to his approach to politics as "all talk, no action." He briefly toyed with a run for attorney general in 2006, and some see him as headed for other offices, but others disagree. Klein is "at home in the Legislature," according to one, and according to another "will be there 'til death." "At some point, it's safe to say, he will be the majority leader," said yet another, "whether it's done cordially or not."
"One of the brightest guys in Albany, and, unfortunately, he knows it," said one consultant, "this is a guy who should have been majority leader," said another about the Manhattan Democrat with "big ideas" who so annoyed the then-leaders during his first few years in Albany that they tried to get rid of him by drawing part of his district into the Bronx. A "pure political animal" nicknamed "Schneidermonster," his "very glib" approach "gets people annoyed." But though he grabbed high scores in every category, "he's missing that Obama-Bill Clinton-Joe Bruno element, the quality that allows people to think he's just an average guy."
This former union leader is "incredibly savvy," said one consultant, who noted that "she picks her battles wisely and she knows her issues." Though she has "impressed her fellow members in the delegation," earning her a spot as the head of recruitment for the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, said another consultant, even long-term "I don't think majority leader is going to happen." Though she suffered on style ratings, most think she is able to make up for this with her other strengths. "She's got her own style," said one defender, but while another insisted she has "horrible style," overall, "she gets it."
After only one term in Albany, this former head of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement whom one consultant called "one of the most articulate people in politics" has already established himself as "one of the most credible messengers on any issue," according to another. High marks for style-he "likes his suits," said one-help give people the sense that he "knows how to leverage everything he's got." But though one consultant said that, taken together, this makes him "the kind of guy who could break out of the pack," another said that what could hold him back is that "he's too much of a single-issue guy who likes going after the spotlight, but isn't willing to work and negotiate."
Getting higher marks for substance than anything else, Griffo is "a lunch bucket senator," says one consultant: "he's not flashy, but he's a good public servant, a good guy and tries to do the right thing." "Not the statuesque 6'4" politician," Griffo is "an interesting character" who "takes interesting positions on things." "A good legislator," said one, and "a communicator," said another, "he actually works really hard." That "savvy to understand where his bread is buttered," said yet another consultant, "helps him survive in a district with a Democratic Assemblywoman and a Democratic Congressman."
Though he has already served six terms in the Senate, Sampson scored much higher for style and savvy than substance. "He's a good guy, but there's no 'there' there," explained one consultant. Another offered a kinder assessment, saying "substance is difficult in the minority. He's not a blah, blah, blah guy." This could be the foundation for something more, depending on the circumstances. "He plays his politics well inside the conference as well as in his district," one said. But another warned that he needs to do more to raise his profile if he wants that potential to be realized. "If I really don't know him," a consultant said, "he can't grab much spotlight."
There are bright things ahead for this "smart guy" and son of an Assemblyman who himself moved from the Assembly to the Senate in 2002, and has built a bedrock of "strong constituent services" in his Suffolk district. "Substance was a weakness of his campaign-he won with style and savvy," said one consultant, paying a backhanded compliment to a man who another said has "got it down." But Flanagan's savvy was questioned by one consultant who pointed out that he "lost the minority leadership in the Assembly by one vote, which means somebody lied to him and he didn't figure out his votes." But despite that, and despite another who insisted that he "doesn't reach across the aisle well," there is a feeling that with a little more time to grow in office, Flanagan is "possible governor material for 2014."
A leader in the field for style ratings-"it's the fedoras," says one consultant, "the best lids in Albany," says another-Perkins trails in the substance category. "He came in, did a solid job as a freshman, but not a standout," said one consultant, assessing Perkins' performance since taking over the Senate seat once held by David Paterson. Though he gained much attention for being one of the first and only New York politicians to come out in force for Obama during primary season, this man, known to be hoping for the Congressional seat now held by Rep. Charlie Rangel, has battled with the Harlem establishment and "does not work well with others." He speaks well, said another, but he is "known to open mouth, insert foot."
This major in the Civil Air Patrol, who first came to Albany in 1999 and moved to the Senate in 2005, is both "nice" and "right out with the voters," said one consultant. Given her natural media appeal, said one consultant, Senate Republicans "could have utilized her more," explaining "she's well-spoken, has style, good-looking and has grace." The explanation, said another, is that "she's beloved in her district, but on the issues, she's not viewed as any sort of a heavyweight." The biggest problem, however, may be that as a representative of Western New York "she's literally from the middle of nowhere."
This once-Democrat is a "classic .285 hitter-doesn't wow you, but does what he's supposed to do" who "made a smart move at the right time" to win his Senate seat, but if he wins re-election, "his savvy is going to come into question if the Democrats take over and he switches parties," said one consultant. According to another, though, "you can't be that savvy if you switch parties" even once. But this "operator" and "total survivor" with "great relationships in the community" "understands the inner workings of Albany and knows how to balance the politics and take care of his constituency," though he be thought of in some quarters as "not a fighter."
Though one consultant called this freshman Staten Islander "an empty seat," and another dismissed him as "kind of bland," the reason, said yet another, is that "the issues he has been confronted with in committees have not allowed him to be a press person." Others say his youth and political skills point to potential. "He makes a great image, right off the bat," said one, "no sleaze factor there," added another. "If he was in a more Republican state," one mused, paying Lanza something of a compliment, "he's a guy who could be governor."
An "up and comer" who is "one of the most attractive members of the Senate," this lifelong Long Islander with strong marks across the board has "got a little game." A bid for county executive might be ahead for this senator with "good leadership qualities" whom one consultant affectionately called "Chucky boy," but, said another, "the problem with Fuschillo is that he doesn't want to make this his life's calling."
This freshman senator earned major points for being a "very sophisticated person" and "good political guy"-which explains his very fast ascension to his leadership role. The "shaved head works" for this man, who is "smart enough to identify the issues," according to one consultant. Already, another said, he has "a hell of a lot of potential," while another lauded him as a "guy with a future." Like Byron Brown, whom Thompson succeeded in the Senate, said one consultant, "he's going to be mayor of Buffalo."
...AND MORE MAY BE COMING
Up-and-coming State Senate candidates to watch for
January is shaping up to be a big month for change in government. In New York, with control of the State Senate hanging in the balance, many promising candidates have burst onto the scene and are already earning rave reviews from party insiders.
Republican candidates to look out for include:
• Yonkers Council Member John Murtagh (R), who is running against Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Westchester)
• Larchmont Mayor Liz Feld (R), who is challenging 12-term Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Westchester)
• David Renzi, an attorney and member of a prominent North Country family, who is running against freshman Sen. Darrel Aubertine (D-Oswego)
• Dennis Delano, a former cold case detective, who is taking on Sen. William Stachowski (D-Buffalo)
With their party energized by the prospect of winning control of the Senate, many Democratic candidates are also turning heads. They include:
• Daniel Squadron, a former aide to Sen. Chuck Schumer (D), who is mounting a rare primary challenge against Sen. Martin Connor (D-Manhattan)
• Former boxer "Baby" Joe Mesi and Erie County Legislator Michelle Ianello (D), both running to succeed the retiring Sen. Mary Lou Rath (R-Erie/Genesee)
• Caroline Town Supervisor Don Barber (D), who is hoping to unseat Sen. James Seward (R-Oneonta)
• Elmira Mayor John Tonello (D), who is challenging Sen. George Winner (R-Steuben/Chemung)
• Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley (D), who is running against 36-year GOP veteran Sen. Caesar Trunzo (Nassau)
Obama had to spend seven years in the Illinois State Senate before he got the chance to break out onto the national scene. New York's crop of Senate candidates may have a similar growth period ahead of them.
