Here are a few notes and ideas I've discovered recently about political power, how it works, who has it, and how to get some of it. These are in no particular order and are simply based on random observations I've seen over time. I'm not a party insider per se and none of these are real secrets, but they are interesting insights into how the party works. Many of things apply far behind the county.

Be Quiet and Work Hard. Work hard, be quiet, and don't grasp for power too quickly. If you think somebody is trying to give you something that you don't deserve, then decline politely. People will sometimes offer something or wave it in front of you, but if you bite and don't swallow it will hurt you.

All Power Comes Through the Ward / Town Leader. It's fun to be an outsider looking in with all the neutrality, but you'll never gain much in prestige or power unless you work hard for and suck up to your Ward or Town Leader. These people tend to be the oldest and most mature people and they are most interested in protecting the status quo and maintaining or elevating their power. Helping them build the party and get votes in the best way to be successful.

Make Your Presence Known Subtlety. Don't be afraid to say "hi" to friendly politicians who might stop by. Mention your name when you shake their hands. Always be around, quietly working in the background, but make sure to associate your name with your actions.

Everything is Breslin Brothers vs. the Machine. Mike, Neil, and Tommy Breslin are the rising stars of the party from the more progressive and suburban/rural wing the party. Don't forget to add such upstarts such as David Soares, Helen Defosses, and Bob Reilly to the list. The machine still controls many of the older and traditional leaders of the party, and while they may not be the new hot things, they have power.

Machine Candidates are Still Elected Candidates. Despite what some may claim, political futures are ultimately grounded in voters and coalitions. Machine people while being the elders and having much more experience over others have to use the same methods of power as everybody else. They have the perks of being looked up to, but they can still be and sometimes are defeated in creative ways. David Soares road the Rockefeller Drug Laws over machinite Paul Clyne, and Helen Defossess won by quietly running for Common Council President and elevating the office to a place of statue.

Don't Try to Understand It Overnight. Politics and the methods of power that it entails are often complex and rooted in local history. Rules where created at one time or another to best benefit the ruling class. A good history lesson and watching things quietly can teach you much about how power works.

Government is Slow. Politics can be very fast paced and the issues can be so passionate, but it also can be incredibly boring and procedural. Just remember that procedure defines power and you need to carefully follow it into the ways of power. Don't try to do anything faster then the speed of government or you will quickly find yourself being beat back by the power of government.

Take the Hints. People spend a lot of time gesturing to other people in politics. Try to figure out what they are really saying to you and listen carefully. A sly comment made to you in a bar by a politician might forever change your career and ultimately your life. Elders often know best.

City of Albany Still Matters. Suburbia is nipping away at the heels of city power, but the city still ultimately controls the Democrats in Albany County. Bethlehem and Colonie have seen the growth of progressive democrats in their areas, but they are still new power centers. The machine lives in the city, and while it's not as powerful as it once was, it still ultimately calls most of the party's shots.

Ultimately Albany is in Decline. The city is the past and is holding on to a legacy that is rapidly fading. Machine candidates are powerful today, but be ready to see a future defined through the Breslin brothers and other powerhouses outside of the city. Suburbs will be the future of Democratic politics.

Rural Leaders. The towns of the Hilltowns—Berne, Knox, Westerlo, and Renselearville—are lacking in population but have powerful and notable voices. Sandy Gordon speaks loudly from Knox in a frequently dissenting voice. He serves as the chair of Agricultural Protection Board and has a great deal of power over zoning in the county, and his remarks at the County Legislature and Democratic Committee make him notable. Dick Rapp of Westerlo and his delegation are largely machinites who vote with the city. Unlike most of the hilltowns, they tend to lean more towards the city and not suburban progressives.

Young Democrats. It's a great organization and it's small. Good for meeting and mixing with people of power if your between the ages of 18 and 35. Yep, a shameless plug.

Watch Bethlehem. There is a real political shift there and it is towards Democrats. Bethlehem, a town with a population of 35,000 people has produced a number over very important progressives over the years. These include the Breslin brothers and Soares.