Politics on the Hudson

In a segment reminiscent of an Ira Glass piece on public radio’s “This American Life,” state Sen. Thomas Duane, D-Manhattan, taped his latest podcast (episode four) while walking the halls of New York’s Capitol and Legislative Office Building.

The show, which runs under 10 minutes, features a comment from one of Albany’s lesser-tech-savvy denizens—“I have no idea what that is,” the man says when Duane tells him he’s doing a podcast—a chance meeting with Gov. Eliot Spitzer in a hallway, conversations with lobbyists outside the Senate chamber, background music by a group called the “Misconceptions,” and some witty repartee.

On the way to a meeting, Duane’s counsel says it’s difficult to keep the senator on schedule.

“Why is that?” Duane asks.

“Because you’re very busy and you’re very important,” his counsel says.

“No really, why is it? Duane asks.

“Because so many people stop you in the hallways to try to lobby you on various issues and it’s very hard to get anywhere,” is the response.

“Would you prefer that I was rude to people?” Duane asks, deadpan.

“If it got you there on time (slight pause), but no, that would be wrong,” is the answer

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