Damage Control

Democrats in the State Assembly have given in to political necessity.  To avoid the outrage that would greet the visual of Sheldon Silver, out on bail, gaveling the body to order today, they've cut a deal with the Speaker whereby he "delegates" his power to a panel of five.

So instead of Silver running the Assembly directly, he does it through five Silver flunkies, including Joe Morelle.

Window-dressing to escape bad PR.

Also, an unnatural arrangement in the political world.  We'll see which of the five emerges as the real power.  Or if any of them do, with Shelly still pulling the strings if this plan goes through.