Albany Coup Update: Duane "Flirting" With GOP for Gay Marriage?

Some parties are peddling state senator John Sampson as an alternative to Malcolm Smith as a loyalist Dem leader. It looks like Espada is in on this, too.

An especially odd rumor reported by Jimmy Vielkind: that Tom Duane (pictured) is "flirting with the Republicans" because they're offering him a free hand on the stalled gay marriage bill. If true, that would leave the Democrats in an awkward position regarding diehard gay marriage opponent Ruben Diaz Sr, who has so far claimed loyalty to the ousted leadership -- would they kill the bill to keep him aboard? That certainly what the insurgents would like us to think. For the moment mainstream gay groups are sticking with the Democratic loyalists.

These are very high-level mind games, but the resolution will certainly have less to do with social policy than with money and power. Because that's what it's always about.