[William Terrell]

The citizens of the State of New York can decide how they want to live. The Rockefeller drug laws have been on the books for over 30 years -- obviously the citizens have had ample time to decide that they don't like them.

Well, evidently, enough didn't like them to elect the candidate against them.

[robertpaulsen]

No, it's not evident at all. It could have been the "unusual infusion of big money into local upstate politics".

Without that "unusual infusion", you have a valid point.