New York: Will the Independence Party be independent, or will it be a weenie?

From upstate Times Herald Record:
...Yeah, it's not easy being New York's third largest political party. These pressures might explain what would drive leaders of the state's Independence Party to endorse a bunch of Democrats for statewide offices while allowing ex-Republicans to gain sway over party organizations in Broome, Cayuga and Orange counties.
"Building third parties is like making sausage," state Independence Party Chairman Frank MacKay said. "It's a lot easier to swallow if you don't see it made."... [more]