Blame it on Bruno

from Today's Syracuse Post-Standard

Disgruntled Central New York Conservatives are disillusioned with Bruno.

The group "Upstate Conservatives," which is headed by Cayuga County's Jim Brewster, includes 12 county Conservative Party chairs and launched a political action committee, is calling for Bruno's ouster.

The group, which opposed Brown's candidacy because it felt he wasn't a true conservative, faults Bruno for supporting gay rights, gerrymandering districts, padding the Senate payroll and trying to block information about pork barrel spending.

Brewster said the group would rather see Sens. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, James Wright, R-Watertown, or James Seward, R-Milford, as majority leader. But he acknowledged they're likely to support Bruno for another two-year term as leader.

Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, is not on the group's list. Brewster noted DeFrancisco had the labor union-backed Working Families Party line - the Conservative Party's nemesis - in this year's election. Brewster also pointed out that Brown tried to get the WFP line.