Oct 19, 2007 — Governor Eliot Spitzer arrived in Albany after one of the biggest landslide victories in New York state history. But his first year in office has been marked by gridlock, scandal, and an epic political feud with Senate majority leader Joe Bruno. Brian Mann checked in with Albany Times-Union columnist Fred LeBrun, who says there's little sign things are about to improve.  Go to full article

Nov 17, 2006 — The New York Times is reporting this morning that governor-elect Eliot Spitzer will push for the ouster of fellow Democrat Alan Hevesi. Hevesi, the state's comptroller, was forced to repay tens of thousands of dollars following the revelation that he used a state employee to chauffeur his wife. Fall-out also continues from the controversial leak of state police documents that described a domestic incident involving Republican congressman John Sweeney. The union representing New York state police says an investigator is being wrongly demoted because he's being blamed for leaking a trooper's report about a the incident. The story broke in the press just days before the November seventh election, which Sweeney lost to Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand. Brian Mann spoke about the ugly political climate with Fred LeBrun, veteran columnist with the Albany Times-Union.  Go to full article

Aug 21, 2006 — Republicans in New York state face a difficult election year and an uncertain future. Governor George Pataki is leaving office and is likely to be replaced by the state's Democratic Attorney General, Eliot Spitzer. Republican candidates are lagging in every major statewide election. Democrats are also mounting serious challenges in upstate congressional districts that have long been safe GOP strongholds. Today and tomorrow, we'll be looking at the Republican Party's struggles here in New York state. This morning, Brian Mann talks with Fred LeBrun, a veteran political columnist with the Albany Times-Union.  Go to full article

Dec 19, 2005 — Governor George Pataki won't be running for re-election next year. Over the next few months, we'll be looking at the end of the Pataki era, trying to gauge how this transition will affect the North Country Pataki owns a farm in the Adirondacks. He's been a close ally to local Republican leaders, including state Senators Jim Wright and Betty Little. This morning, we talk with Fred LeBrun, a veteran columnist for the Albany Times-Union. He's written extensively about state politics and the Adirondacks Park. LeBrun told Brian Mann that Pataki's deepening ties to the region and his interest in Adirondack issues came as a surprise.  Go to full article