Monserrate Reportedly Prepared to Support Malcolm Smith in Senate Leadership Role

A Democratic official says New York Senator-elect Hiram Monserrate will support Malcolm Smith for majority leader, all but sealing the party's majority on January 1st and improving Smith's chances of running the Senate. The Democrat spoke on the condition on anonymity because the official wasn't authorized to comment before the announcement. Monserrate is one of the so-called gang of four that has hinted it might side with the GOP, which no longer has enough seats to control the Senate. Their play boosted their chances for lucrative committee chairmanships and to gain a stronger voice on Latino issues.