GOP Plays Musical Chairs

After several years of bickering and infighting, Putnam's Republicans are putting their differences behind them in order to survive politically. The recent cooperation between state senator Vincent Leibell and Assemblyman Greg Ball on issues like the MTA bailout, signal more than a change of feelings, they signal a truce between warring factions of the GOP.

Well-placed sources in the party suggest that an informal deal has been struck between the formal GOP rivals. Leibell will support Ball's campaign for Congress, while Putnam Legislator Dan Birmingham seeks Ball's seat in Albany. At the same time Westchester County Legislator George Oros would seek to replace Vincent Leibell in the Senate.

Since Republicans lost a majority in the Senate, speculation about Leibell's future has been rampant. One GOP source pointed to the sudden reversal for Republican earmarks in Albany. "It went from $85 million to $10 million. Leibell was always known for bringing home the bacon. But now he can't."

Though he is said to be mulling several options, Leibell is widely thought to have his eye on the Putnam County Executive seat, currently occupied by Bob Bondi. Originally rumors swirled that Bondi would find a reason to retire this summer, and Leibell would be appointed to replace him by the Republican convention. Those plans have apparently been put on ice. "I know the speculation is out there now. But we'll have a much clearer picture by next summer," said Leibell. But the next County Executive's race may open new fissures in the GOP. If Leibell hesitates, legislators like Vincent Tamagna are said to be interested in Bondi's seat.

For now though, a core group of incumbent Republicans have decided to call a truce. Greg Ball's strong reelection to the Assembly most likely convinced other legislators that he could no longer be dismissed, whatever they thought of his hard-charging style. At the same time, Ball's run for Congress demanded that he clear out any obstacles to his campaign.

The cooperation is remarkable considering that just a short time ago, Dan Birmingham was interested in challenging Greg Ball in a primary, while Ball was poised to run candidates loyal to him throughout the County against officeholders that were aligned with Leibell.

It has been alleged by some legislators that the sudden truce with Ball is a tactical decision to remove Ball from Putnam's day-to-day politics and place him in Washington. One GOP insider says, "They just want him out of here."

"It's no secret, we had a personal battle last year." Ball says, "but we asked ourselves, what would be the worst nightmare for the Democratic Party, and that was a united Republican leadership. It's very exciting to combine Leibell's old school political operation with my grassroots movement."

According to Ball, "After the last election the people demanded that their elected leaders stop fighting and work together."

But politics make even these informal deals uneasy. A tumultuous sheriff's race, a shift in the balance of power in Albany, or a change of plans by Bondi could upset this deal. Many in this uneasy alliance are said to be maintaining a healthy political paranoia.