'Independent' No More, But IDC Still Fundraising

With great fanfare, State Sen. Jeff Klein (IDC-Bronx) who formed the Independent Democratic Conference in 2011, announced last week that he and the other seven members of the IDC would leave the Republican coalition, rejoin the mainline Democrats, and work to help Democrats take over the senate.

But the IDC hasn't disappeared. It's hosting a fundraiser Thursday night in northern Manhattan.

Officially, the $1,000-a-plate dinner is to promote "Democratic Unity," but organizers are asking donors to make checks out to the "Senate Independence Campaign Committee." A spokeswoman says the money is "to protect the members of the former IDC in the upcoming primaries."

They're facing challengers who say the IDC still can't be trusted — and could once again abandon the Democratic fold, if the GOP retains its majority in special elections later this month or in November.