GOP already sets sights on Aubertine

We all know New York’s GOP is licking its wounds and regrouping after losing control of the state Senate for the first time in four decades. It’s even rebuilding its web presence.

It appears whatever tack the GOP takes statewide will include picking off Democrat Darrel Aubertine. This weekend I got three e-mails in two days from the Senate Republican Campaign Committee (one of which was reprinted on right-leaning Watertown blog Political IV an hour before I got the e-mail) taking Aubertine to task for everything from woes at Lee Memorial hospital in Fulton to using NYPA $$ to balance the state budget.

Republicans are smarting from failing to win the 48th Senate seat twice – a district where they hold a huge enrollment advantage. With Democrats alone in charge of closing a $12 billion deficit this year, the GOP will tag any cuts that hurt NNYers to Aubertine. They want this seat back badly.

By 2010, Aubertine will have to show his presence in the majority party yields benefit to the North Country. You already here murmurs, even among fellow Democrats, that Aubertine hasn’t been exactly sharp and demonstrative so far as Senator. Being named chairman of the Ag committee is a start, but voters will be looking for a lot more.