NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Along with the flags were political signs and politicians themselves, including the man at the center Albany's maelstrom. Until last week's coup, Malcolm Smith was the undisputed majority leader of the state senate. Now he and fellow Democrats are in limbo, although you'd never guess by the way he celebrated.

"Right now, it's more about Puerto Rican Day pride," said Smith. "Our conference is very united, looking forward to getting the business done, looking forward to getting back to work. that's the most important thing."

Easier said than done. Everyone is wondering who is in charge of the senate. And Hiram Monserrate, one of the Democrats whose defection to Republicans allowed the coup, says he won't switch back if Smith is in charge.

But the head of the party and fellow Latino lawmakers are pushing Monserrate to return to the Democrats.

"If you're going to possibly change, that you should have told the public that before the election, not after," said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. "We're all in this together. And Malcolm has always pushed for legislation, and pushed for policies that have benefitted the Puerto Rican and Latino community and the bronx, so he's feeling that out here."

There was more than just state politics at this parade. Mayor Bloomberg and his expected rival were also vying for important votes.

City Comptroller Bill Thompson got the endorsement of Bloomberg's opponent from his last mayoral race. Fernando Ferrer took a knock at Bloomberg's fiscal bona fides.

"If this mayor ,who also in his previous life owns a financial information company, warned us all about the credit meltdown and the derivatives meltdown and the mortgage meltdown, I must have missed that speech," said Ferrer.

Bloomberg's camp declined to comment.

Meanwhile Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is also seeking to win over the powerful voting bloc. With an eye towards statewide election next year, the parade was an appropriate setting to reveal the destination of her first overseas trip as senator: Puerto Rico, this July.