'We Could Run Santa Claus Against Them, and We're Going To Win'

You might remember the Working Families Party, the goon squad that pulled that lame bus tour harassing employees of AIG several weeks ago. Well, to no surprise, they've become very cozy with Democrats and helped them gain control of the New York State Senate.

Now, however, they've become a bit of an albatross. Good luck distancing yourselves from them.

WRACKED by a wicked hangover after a binge of wild budgeting, Democrats in Albany have opened their eyes to the behemoth lying in their bed and refusing to leave.

It's the Working Families Party -- the left-wing coalition of organized labor and ACORN activists -- which seduced Democrats with its potent field operations and helped bring them to power in the Senate for the first time in generations.

Now, the WFP is demanding a long-term relationship -- to the alarm of Democrats, whose more moderate constituents back home are threatening to split. Democrats worry that the force behind their takeover of the Senate last year is sowing the seeds of their downfall.

Aww, isn't that a shame. Hey, you get in bed with socialists, then don't be surprised when they won't leave in the morning. In fact, they're not just not leaving, they're moving into your house and bringing their extended family (read: ACORN) with them.

Suckers!

Privately, they fear that the backlash against the WFP-orchestrated state budget -- with its 9 percent spending hike and $8 billion in new taxes and fees -- has jeopardized their hold on at least three upstate seats, giving Republicans a dangerous opening.

Returning to their districts in places like Buffalo and Syracuse, lawmakers were met with a surprisingly hostile reception from their local newspapers and Democratic activists.

"They're furious that our response to solving the problem is to raise taxes. They don't think we've cut enough, and they don't think we're doing things differently," says one Democratic lawmaker. "Now there's an arsenal of ammunition that the Republican minority will no doubt use to take back the Senate next year."

With voters pointing fingers at them, Democrats are pointing at the WFP. Says another Democratic lawmaker: "A lot of members were surprised by how much money we spent. There's going to be a backlash against some of the people who were advocating for these kinds of changes."

Republicans, naturally, agree. "We could run Santa Claus against them, and we're going to win. They are totally captive to an ultra-radical agenda," a GOP source told me.

Read the rest.

Linked at Instapundit. Thanks!