Cape Vincent, NY, Jun 19, 2009 — Speculation that North Country Democrat Darrel Aubertine might join the GOP-dominated coalition in the state Senate built Thursday when he talked with Republicans about a temporary power sharing strategy to move bills through the deadlocked Senate.(see related story)

Speaking from back in his district this morning, he told Martha Foley he was interested in a temporary plan to move bills through the Senate in the next few days. He said the deal broke down when Republicans refused to "back away" from their insistence that renegade Democratic Senator Pedro Espada remain as Senate president Pro Tem, even when Democrats were having their turn at controlling the chamber.

Aubertine said talks are continuing, and that he has hopes the Senate will be able to work out a way to cooperate to get critical legislation through this session. Here's their conversation.