It seems that in order to be a political entity, one needs a common hate, as well as common love. For some time, Steve Pigeon has been that common hate. Even his nemesis, Joel Giambra has often quipped, that for this precise reason, he leads the committee to keep Steve Pigeon in office.

But Steve’s day is done.

If not today, in the next few days, Steve Pigeon will resign, and begin his new career. He will resign gracefully.

Sources close to Pigeon say he will probably hold a press conference to announce it, maybe even today, and, as of press time, he is undetermined as to what his long range future is.

We’ll hear more of his plans in a few days, but for the immediate - from now until November - the name of Pigeon’s future is Tom Golisano.

Meanwhile, Len Lenihan, the affable, extremely intelligent, peacemaker, consensus builder, big-tent inclusionist, will succeed Pigeon.

Lenihan is Pigeon's antithesis.

Ken Kruly has thrown his support to Lenihan. Mayor Anthony Masiello supports him. Paul Tokasz and others support him. By tomorrow or the next day, Jim Keane will announce his support of Lenihan. The Mayor will call Keane, or Paul Tokasz will call. Lenihan too will call. And Lenihan will be fulsome in his praise of each and everyone, from Keane to even Pigeon.

It’s a new day for the Democratic Party.

As Lenihan says, for instance, of Kruly, "I would love to have Ken as an officer of the party. His technical skills are unsurpassed" Or, as he says of Keane, he is a "tremendous individual." Lenihan will have words of praise for people.

Of the outgoing Pigeon, Lenihan will seek a courteous meeting to assure a peaceful and efficient transition. And Pigeon will accord him this meeting.

It is time for both Pigeon and his past enemies to look beyond today - for the sake of their party.

And, for those who have come gleefully to bury Steve Pigeon, but not to praise him, we have a reminding word:

Whether it be counsel for the Buffalo Sabres, under Golisano’s ownership, whether it be a position in Albany, or DC, or one rumored to be in the offing - a switch in party affiliation from Democrat to Independence, and a statewide party chair, Pigeon will be a force to reckon with.

Escaping from "the man we love to hate" to free agent, Pigeon will be unfettered. He will no longer be the target of the Buffalo News or Republicans or his own party, but he can and will still target as he sees fit.

Roger Stone move over.

With Golisano the victor in a vicious primary against George Pataki one cannot help but speculate that for a man savvy, dynamic and, as some say, ruthless, as is Pigeon, he is eminently suited for state chairman of a minor party trying to topple the strangling, twofold monopoly or, as local IP leader, Charley Flynn calls it, the "duopoly" of the Democrat - Republicans.

If Golisano throws his support behind Pigeon, a chairmanship is viable.

The result could be a powerful alliance and the possibility of the ascendancy of the IP in NY. From there, Pigeon could conceivably build a national third party.

Meanwhile, the Democratic party locally is undergoing change. It will be a party without Steve Pigeon. It will be a party that will work in an united fashion to win elections, to defeat, not Steve Pigeon, or Steve Pigeon's foes, but Republicans.

Lenihan is, frankly, the one, ideal man for this task. He follows the crystalline adage of Franklin, distilling the art of diplomacy in a sentence, "speak with contempt of none, from slave to king, for even the lowest bee hath, and will use, a sting." An era of grace and civility comes with adherence to this, an age of fair play and honor. This will augur well for Democrats. And begging excuse for a hasty generalization, we, nevertheless, venture shyly that, with the exception of Joel Giambra, and a few others, most Democrats can excel most Republicans in civility, if they so choose. Up until now they haven’t chose to do so.

But that is changing. Yesterday morning, for instance, Ken Kruly called Lenihan and asked for a lunch. There he informed Lenihan, as they chatted for more than an hour and half, that he was dropping out. Kruly knew he didn’t have the support, so he decided to support Lenihan.

"It was a class act," said Lenihan. " Ken was exceedingly gracious."

In turn, Lenihan wants Kruly on board as an officer of the party. Kruly says he doesn’t want the position. We expect that to change -- in the interest of the party.

Keane too will be offered a role.

Keane is meeting with his people to decide his future within the party. He will undoubtedly serve as an officer, under Lenihan’s chair - for the good of the party.

Almost everyone’s position is determined now, more or less, except that of Grassroots, under the able leadership of Clarence Lott and Maurice Garner, but they, too, will support Lenihan in the end. Some things are inevitable - for the good of the party.

Lenihan, too, said he will be proposing changes in the rules. In this, he will be looking for consensus. Some of the changes will be recommendations the Task Force has suggested.

A united Democratic party is now inevitable.

As for Pigeon, he lacked diplomacy, but not industry. He lacked the ability to build deep and wide support, but he had, and has still, the ability to raise money and attract powerful sponsors. If Democrats were wise, they would seek him out --now. This is a task for Lenihan. In this WNY area, and in parts beyond, Steve Pigeon will wield authority.

For the moment, Pigeon will help Golisano, and, by this, indirectly aid Democrats. Pigeon was in the trenches, one of the first to support Golisano. He returned last night after standing beside Golisano on primary night and guiding his campaign team these last few days. For both Republicans and Democrats, Pigeon is going to be a force to be reckoned with. For Pataki, Golisano’s attacks, (many of which have, and will be orchestrated by Pigeon),

they may have a telling effect in a race where there is a 5-3 edge for Democrats. And, as for Carl McCall, he can only hope Golisano will tap all of Pigeon’s formidable talents to soften up his main opponent, the incumbent, currently, poll-leading, George Pataki. Either way, Golisano will be a major figure, and at his side will be Steve Pigeon.

In the meantime, Republicans better beware, a unified Democratic party has a help wanted sign: they’re looking for a new common hate, as we speak.

Frank Parlato Jr, who writes for a number of local and national publications, can be reached at par730@adelphia.net