Jun 24, 2008 7:05 pm US/Eastern
Bruno Makes Goodbye Official In Emotional Newser
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBS) ―
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At one time in his life, Bruno was a tough-as-nails boxer, but he wasn't so tough Tuesday when he hung up his political gloves during an emotional news conference.
CBS
He was a top dog in the state Senate for 14 years, but on Tuesday, Republican majority leader Joe Bruno put in his papers, saying at age 79 he had other things he wanted to do.
At one time in his life, Bruno was a tough-as-nails boxer, but he wasn't so tough Tuesday when he hung up his political gloves.
"It's bittersweet. It's sad and it's happy. And it's tough," he said, choking up during a morning news conference.
Bruno got filled with so much emotion that he had to leave the room for a minute during the conference, carefully putting to reset Albany rumors about why he was quitting.
"Number one, does he have a mental problem? That's something yet to be determined," he joked. "Two, is he terminally ill? Well I have news for you, everyone here is terminal. I expect to go to 120!"
Finally, Bruno touched on any questions about problems with the law.
"Is he having problems legally? Well, there's nothing more in my life than what's been going on for a year-and-a-half, two years. Nothing," he said.
Bruno will be succeeded by Sen. Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre, a veteran lawmaker who wrote "Megan's Law," which created the New York State Sex Offender's Registry.
Bruno's retirement comes at a time when the Republicans are in danger of losing control of the Senate. In November, there will be seven or eight hotly contested seats. The Democrats only need to pick up two to become the majority party.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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