The Big Apple's Black politicos are blowing up - literally. Paterson. Ford. Rangel. Who's next? Of course, the political shake-up in the Empire State is beyond racial identification and group polemics. There is the continuing upheaval since Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's departure as Senator and former Governor Eliot Spitzer's (D) ugly demise.
One can't help but think, for a moment, that it's some kind of lingering payback engineered by Chicago-land Obama operatives who didn't appreciate the New York machine's backing of Clinton in 2008. Not the President's style, for sure, but he's got some sharp toothed consiglieri surrounding him. But what choice did the Northeastern state hacks have at the time? Illinois cats had to back their junior Senator; New York cats were probably pushed against a brick wall to do the same for their carpetbagging home girl whether they liked her or not. State budget woes, across-the-board funding cuts and a completely dysfunctional legislature in Albany don't help the situation. A shifting or recalibration of the state's famed Democratic political machine is taking place. Where that ends up hinges on the outcome of 2010 Congressional mid-terms and if appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) can keep her seat. What is certain is that it opens up many opportunities for hungry state Republicans. But it puts a dagger in the aspirations of New York's black political establishment, which must regroup fast if it is to maintain a decent hold on power.
The horn-blaring and euphoria for New York's first black governor seems to have never occurred. It's lost in the fog. No one wants to go there. He jacked his own "Black History Moment." Plus, brother in the White House sucks all the air out of that balloon. In soap opera fashion very similar to that of his disgraced, prostitute-hiring predecessor, the legally blind and embattled New York Governor finally realizes that he can't hold on and drops out of his quixotic campaign bid. Paterson committed political suicide with his unfathomable, undying loyalty to former key aide David Johnson. What's that all about? Other top aides, including the governor's press secretary, are snagged in some bizarre, scandalous cover-up. His State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt suddenly resigns. All because Johnson, allegedly, couldn't keep his hands to himself. It's ironic that Paterson, of all folks posing as serious advocate for domestic violence victims, would actually engage in obstructing such accusations from an aide's girlfriend. Some observers may contend that the jury is still out on whether Johnson did indeed commit violence. But he is no stranger to these accusations. And something fairly significant went down if the Governor felt compelled to personally intervene. Let's take a moment to mention here that domestic violence is the top public health issue impacting black women. Where's that discussion?
To Paterson's blurred right came Harold Ford. If in Ford's position, we'd see the opening, too: a bad economic climate driving popular rage; a very unpopular Governor whom neither the White House nor Albany could stand; a clownish Senator handpicked by that same Governor; and a state Democratic apparatus in disarray. Ford emerged from his moderate, center right "New South" leanings, suddenly switching center left in an effort to appease his new home's political sensibilities. From dropping hints in the New York Post to boasting about helicopter rides and pedicures in the Times, Ford caught heat from the start. There was little love for the extravagance, particularly from a critical black voting bloc that is getting hit hard by high unemployment. But in the end, it is little coincidence that the fire drawn by powerful gay rights activists on his same-sex marriage stance proved a final straw in this short bid's saga. Still, Ford will attempt to paint a portrait of a humble populist man did-in by greedy Tammany Hall political machinists. The White House is relieved that it won't have that thorn to deal with anytime soon, comfortable that Ford will wait till well after Obama's second term to try again.
Will he stage a comeback? Beyond the temerity of his telegenic ego, Harold Ford lives for the tough races. It's the only way he can shed the shadow of his once powerful, now defunct political family's fortunes. A way to show that "see - Memphis native son and daddy legacy candidate can really make it on his own." Plus, Ford is a perennial presidential candidate in constant quest for his own path to Pennsylvania Ave. Hear him tell it and he was supposed to be the First Black President. We saw this during his early years as Congressman out of Tennessee's 9th District. His streak of independence, the carefully crafted urban conservative Blue Doggedness that didn't rub his Congressional Black Caucus colleagues the right way. We could see former Congressman Harold, Sr. getting the late night calls from perturbed senior Members of the Black Hill clan: "Thought you had him under control."
But Harold, Jr. needed to bust out and show that he was his own man. So, against much conventional, bigoted Volunteer State wisdom, he ran a rather tightening effort to become the South's first African American Senator since Reconstruction. It was a tough proposition that ultimately failed. And not just because Ford is black or his opponent, then Chattanooga Mayor Bob Corker (R), ran nasty attack ads implying trysts with white girls. He was weighed down by clouds of alleged corruption by the Ford political dynasty and uncertainty over where exactly Ford stood on a buffet of controversial issues. Even back then, there was conversation about Ford the policy-grasping Congressman versus Ford the shady opportunist.
In Harlem, the once invincible House Ways and Means Chairman, Rep. Charlie Rangel (D), is now confined to a self-imposed "leave of absence." This is a clever and controlled, face-saving way of being ousted, which is what really went down since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi values her party majority more than she does longstanding political friendships. Again, Rangel didn't endear the Obama 2008 team with his bullish support of the other primary candidate. And when the microscope of ethics probes moved in closer (a glaring problem for many CBC Members these days), it was clear Rangel wouldn't have the support he once commanded pre-2008. Classic new school takeover sweeps out old school. Some prognosticators doubt the primary challenge from former Rangel Chief of Staff Vincent Morgan will go anywhere - "Rangel is just too powerful," they say. But, in the wake of Spitzer, Clinton (who got lucky), Paterson and Ford, anything is possible. Banks on Wall Street, attempting a comeback, are placing bets on Morgan. Stay tuned. Rangel's fall may even be the key to a number of deals on key legislative items (hint: health care) between shaky Democrats and emboldened Republicans offering a baby dove in return for slain lamb. It is what it is.