Politics on the Hudson

Abortion-rights groups just held a news conference with Senate Democrats and you might think: what’s the big deal?

But it is very significant. And it means the intense targeting of GOP incumbents on Long Island and in Rochester in the next round of elections.

For years, the National Abortion Rights Action League and other groups have been on friendly-if-not-cozy terms with Senate Republicans because some of its more liberal members (especially Nick Spano of Yonkers) had the clout in the GOP-controlled chamber to get some bills through.

But Spano lost last fall. And Democrats won a special election to fill a Long Island vacny in February, cutting the GOP’s edge in the Senate to 33-29—putting the majority in question for the 2008 elections. Further, from NARAL’s view, no Republican has picked up the reins from Spano.

So now, NARAL and other abortion-rights groups are flocking to the Senate Democrats—and will target Republicans in Democratic-leaning districts. The immediate list: Kemp Hannon, Carl Marcellino and Cesar Trunzo of Long Island and Joe Robach whose districts covers the bulk of Rochester and some of its suburbs.

“We intend to have their offices flooded with phone calls, asking where does the senator stand?’’ said Kelli Conlin, director of NARAL’s N.Y. chapter.

 Asked when was the last time NARAL stood up with Senate Democrats at a news conference, Conlin said “um’’ a couple of times, searched around with her eyes and replied: “I can’t recall.’‘