The Democrats’ Hispanic problem…

…or is it the Hispanic community’s Democrat problem?

Over the last half-year, New York has seen a remarkable expansion of power in the state’s African American community.

The rise of Governor David Paterson is Exhibit A.

But the recent, clumsy ascension of Senate majority leader Malcolm Smith also represents a historic shift.

Both men are the first African Americans to hold those influential posts.

Congressman Charlie Rangel, also black, may be the state’s most powerful House member.

He’s often described as the “dean” of New York’s congressional delegation, not to mention chair of the influential Ways and Means committee.

Those are noteworthy accomplishments, given that blacks make up just under 16% of the state’s population.

But Hispanics, who comprise roughly 14% of New York’s population, don’t hold a single statewide office.

It’s difficult, even for a wonk like myself, to name a Hispanic politician with statewide influence or name-recognition.

Instead, Hispanics seem to have established themselves as a sort of internal opposition group within New York’s Democratic Party.

Last February, Hispanic leaders publicly chastised then-Senator and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton after her Latina campaign manager, Patti Solis Doyle, stepped down.

“[W]e will have many questions about why a Hispanic woman who has helped to build Latino support for you throughout the nation would have been the one to take the blame and resign from her post instead of others involved with your campaign, including former President Clinton, who have caused serious problems and embarrassing situations for your campaign.”

Ouch.

Two Hispanics in the state Senate then helped to form the “Gang of Three” that blocked Malcolm Smith’s rise to power.

During those negotiations, Sen. Pedro Espada Jr. and Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. demanded more power and influence for Hispanic voters.

Now, Hispanic lawmakers are rallying to oppose New York’s newest Senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, who has the public support of Clinton, Smith, Governor David Paterson and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

In a statement “rejecting” Senator Gillibrand’s appointment, Hispanic leaders slammed her for the “scapegoating of even legal immigrants to win elected office.”

Their opposition poses serious problems for Governor Paterson and Sen. Gillibrand. But Hispanic lawmakers also run the risk of further isolating themselves within the party.

Is there a way for Democratic leaders and Hispanics to reach some kind of accord?

It’s hard to see how. On key issues — primarily same-sex marriage and gay rights — Hispanic lawmakers are actually far more conservative than their Democratic leadership.

On other issues — including issuing drivers licenses to undocumented workers — they are considerably more liberal.

Still, it’s obviously long overdue for New York state to nurture the kind of Hispanic leadership — from Bill Richardson and Ken Salazar to Alberto Gonzalez and Mel Martinez — that has gained prominence in other parts of the country.

It’s an open question why that hasn’t happened.