One week from today, voters have an opportunity to do something long overdue: start cleaning house in Albany.
We’re referring to the Sept. 9 Democratic primary. Incumbent state Sens. Malcolm Smith of Queens and John Sampson of Brooklyn are trying to hold on to their party’s nomination, even though each faces a criminal trial.
Smith will be tried in January on bribery and conspiracy charges related to his attempt get on the Republican mayoral primary ballot last year. His alleged co-conspirator, former City Councilman Dan Halloran, was found guilty in July.
In addition to these criminal counts, Smith has had ethical clouds over his head for years stemming from his connection to Hurricane Katrina-related nonprofit that distributed hardly any funds to victims.
Sampson was Smith’s successor as leader of Senate Democrats. He’s been indicted twice over the space of a year on a variety of corruption charges that include foreclosure embezzlement and lying to the FBI.
Meanwhile there’s John Liu, who is trying to make a political comeback after fundraising improprieties sank his campaign for mayor last year. Though Liu has not himself been indicted, his campaign treasurer and top fund-raiser were convicted in a straw-donor scandal.
His reaction was telling. Rather than show any regret for the criminal actions of his subordinates, Liu turned around and blamed everything on a US attorney plot to “destroy” him.
It’s a good thing when corrupt politicians have to answer for their acts. But the American system of democracy isn’t based on federal prosecutors or Moreland Commissions. It’s based on the idea that the primary mechanism for enforcing accountability is the polling booth.
If New Yorkers are serious about eliminating the stink emanating from Albany, next week’s primary is a great place to start doing something about it.