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There is a villian in this story. It is PEDRO ESPADA. Monserrate is just an idiot.

Normally i do not resort to name calling, but this irresponsibility has made me ANGRY!

Steve #24 - The pay is pretty good for what these guys could get in the private sector where they are actually REQUIRED to be qualified for the job.
The reason for the switch/tantrum from Monserrate and Espada is precisely MONEY - They did not have plush 'leadership' assignments which entitles them to an additional stipend. (I believe an additional $20K).
The problem with getting qualified, DECENT people in gov't is the local county political mafias - The mafias will put you on the ballot ONLY when you pay your dues and kiss the rings of the party bosses. The Republican and Democratic mafias have carved out the territories/Districts so that each operates without competition. Thus the electorate for the most part has a choice of ONE candidate who MAY or MAY NOT be qualified, but DEFINITELY NOT Ethical.

Steve Snow I agree.

Hiram Monserrate is an idiot and glass wielding psycho. Watching him operate, he appears more qualified to be punching a side of beef and braking knee caps than to be state senator.

Pedro Espada is another inept fool and a common criminal. Has anyone given this guy an IQ test?

Is the pay so low only these Neanderthals want to go to Albany?

Time to clean house and these embarrassments should resign and be put in jail.

#22 M. Smith was just elected majority leader - we can count the number of days, he was the leader - before he could even flex a muscle or aspire to anything - obviously he was castrated.

M.Smith did not hold any real or imagined power - he was a figure head, converted to pinata and the blows came from all different angles.

If you are not familiar with Sheldon Silver - that is real power and no one [even Bloomberg tried to take him down without success].

So was this all just a bomb to get rid of M. Smith? How come he hasn't been heard from? Has BL Show tried to get him on?

The only thing that makes me feel better about listening to this classic narcissistic, enabled, ignorant, dangerously criminal politician, is that the comments here indicate I'm not alone.

In response to Mr. Snow...I understand what you've said, but I do think that Brian is surprisingly decent to EVERYONE...and in this case it only revealed the intensity of this Monserrate's psychosis.

Finally I just wanted to comment that we all know what ole Hiram is going to vote on gay marriage...I think his response to Brian's question on this issue was hilariously inarticulate. Just so he knows...the gay community will not stop until we achieve full human and civil rights. This is OUR TOWN, Hiram. Watch out.

YES BRIAN!!!!!!!!!! Finally, someone holding this criminal and batterer accountable for trying shift the focus away from his abuse. And for those who say that he is of course innocent until proven guilty there is a video that they should see of the "accident" in which the girlfriend is banging on a neighbor's door begging for help and then when the neighbor doesn't open the door, Hiram is viewed dragging her down the hallway out to the car to drive her to a hospital miles away from the scene!!!

Anyone should be able to tell from just listening to this guy that he is nothing more than thug. It is deplorable that this is the quality of our representatives in state government.

How can he say he is one of the most progressive members of the Senate and refuse to take a position on Gay Marriage?

Brian was as tough as Larry King today. He apologized for interrupting when the Senator was filibustering, and soft-tossed questions. No follow-ups. Plenty of room for Monserrate to roam free with campaign lines. Free media, basically.

Didn't ask about what the Senator demanded for his vote switch or his switchback.

Last question was about Monserrate's girlfriend and her run-in with a broken bottle that cut her to the bone. So no follow-up.

Brian just went through a series of "what do you think of X issue, Mr. Senator, please?" Thanked him so much for staying on the show for a few more minutes.. He should have made that Dem run for cover and leave early, not enjoy more speech time on free radio.

The BBC would have roasted this guy. That interview is what is wrong with American journalism.

Another disgraceful example of what is rotten in Albany. This man might well belong in jail-- the courts will decide that-- he certainly does not belong in state government. Wrapping himself self-righteously in progressivism, civil libertarianism, and Latino representativeness merely adds to his characteristic untruthfulness and corruption. And hearing him utter the words "To be honest with you" is beyond rich. He is a walking cliche, and Shirley Chisolm must be spinning in her grave (how dare he quote her).

It is equally shameful that the Governor lacks the moral backbone to speak out forcefully and tirelessly against the fiasco that is playing out in Albany.

I'm constantly disappointed by our State Senate. I hope these guys don't get re-elected.

I think we need to clean house in Albany and get rid of all of these talking heads that are solely interested in their own self-preservation. When it comes time to vote again New York voters need to be prepared to look outside of the box and elect people who are interested in working hard for all New Yorkers.

S]Mr. M demonstrates incredibly poor judgement to actually change parties as a way to advance his causes. He could not think of any other method or strategy. Very poor judgment.

dr dave

This guy is a total wimp. He won't give a straight answer on anything. C'mon, Brian: be tough and get him to answer.

this guy is KILLIN me. such unmitigated self-righteousness for a guy who's under investigation. absolutely none of his "issues" were considered when throwing the life of the state into tragedy. i hope everyone remembers this mess come next election cycle and throws these clowns out of office.

way to go Brian! nailing him down on gay rights, vote trading, etc. Good job!

this guy is awful. he never answers a question, can you take a position and not blah blah ? no wonder people hate politicians

How does he feel about Espada's refusal to comply with campaign finance laws?

how many sides of his mouth can Monserrate speak out of at once? Has he actually SAID anything?

Did Hiram just finally realized he has zero chance of being re-elected as a republican candidate come next election.

Remember, Sheeple Dems out there, continue to vote "D" all the way down the ballot again so this bozo can keep his paycheck.

This guy is a criminal and will hopefully be convicted and thrown in jail. He embodies everything that is wrong with NY State politics.
He's not a Democrat...he's out for himself as was seen by his actions over the past two weeks.
Shame on him!

This is a great story for this guy because he gets to talk about something other than the fact that he cuts his girlfriend's FACE with a broken glass. The sooner this fraud is behind bars the better.

Wasn't the original issue that Monserrate & Espada didn't want to go along with the Democrats on a couple of particular issues?

Monserrate & Espada, wanted to get off the pending criminal & ethics trials and obviously the republicans could not guarantee that - no Pataki, no Giuliani and no Bruno the fixer.

Now they have to face the music and do the time at Rikers Island.

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