In part three of The People's Guide to Power, Queens Machine edition, WNYC delves into the origins and evolution of machine politics.
New York City is the birthplace of the political machine. Historian and journalist Terry Golway makes the case that despite its corruption, the original Democratic machine — Tammany Hall — served a vital purpose in the early 20th century. He said the machine brought new immigrants in to the political process, offering them the types of jobs and social services they couldn't get anywhere else. All in exchange for their vote.
Reformers saw this as a corrupt bargain. They instituted primaries to curb the influence of party leaders. Except the machine figured out how to work that system to its advantage, too. But when Mayor La Guardia defeated Tammany Hall, he took aim at the patronage that was their lifeblood.
In Queens, the modern machine is a much different creature. This story explains how it's organized, who runs the show and how three lawyers who work on Long Island effect political power across the borough.
It's also a lesson in how the machine and the Board of Elections use the technicalities of election law to make City Council candidates like Erycka Montoya jump through hoops.
Click on the link above to hear the full story.
