Guest Guest Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 ALBANY (AP) - Less than two years after he reluctantly ran for lieutenant governor, David Paterson is suddenly in line to be just the eighth black governor in American history, the first in New York. "He's the next governor, and probably quite soon," said Maurice Carroll, director of Quinnipiac University's Polling Institute and a longtime New York political reporter. Attention turned to Paterson immediately after word surfaced Monday that Gov. Eliot Spitzer had been linked to a high-priced prostitution ring. In a brief appearance in front of reporters, Spitzer issued a vague apology and did not mention resignation. If Spitzer quits, Paterson automatically becomes governor and would complete Spitzer's term, which ends Dec. 31, 2010. There was no immediate comment from Paterson. Paterson, the 53-year-old Democrat, legally blind career politician from Harlem is well respected by Republicans and Democrats. Former New York City Mayor Edward Koch recently called Paterson "very capable, not withstanding his near sightlessness. It's never impeded his public actions or his personal actions and he's really overcome it in an extraordinary way." Paterson's disability has been a non-issue in Albany for more than 20 years as he has memorized lengthy, impassioned speeches without missing a mark. "He's smart, he's knowledgeable about New York state government and politics and he's a guy who likes to get along with people," Carroll said. As for what a Gov. Paterson would face, Carroll sees a "fairly placid, amiable time for awhile." Paterson has enjoyed a good relationship with Spitzer's chief nemesis, Republican Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, despite being the architect behind getting Democrats to within one seat of taking control of the Senate. In pointed yet often humorous floor debates, a kind of father-son relationship was evident between the Harlem Democrat and the rural, upstate Republican. Spitzer surprised Paterson with the lieutenant's job offer two years ago, so focused was he on taking control of the Senate and becoming majority leader. But Carroll doesn't expect Bruno to hold a grudge. "Bruno is scrappy, but he doesn't go looking for fights," Carroll said. Paterson would also have an advantage in that he would ascend to the governor's post with most of three years remaining in the term he would fill. That keeps away the stigma of being a a lame-duck, said Lee Miringoff of the Marist College poll. "If he becomes governor, he can move forward with what he wants to do as governor and start to set a tone," Miringoff said. "The state will have been shaken by all these revelations and I think he's someone who is widely respected and he has a lot of experience in the corridors of Albany." As for Spitzer, he appears dead in the political water. "The problem Governor Spitzer had is not just today," Miringoff said Monday. "It's that he has no favorable public opinion to fall back on ... it's not like he was a hugely popular governor who has this problem that people would like to look past." "He should resign office immediately," said state Assembly Republican leader James Tedisco. "He has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York," said Tedisco of Schenectady County. Bruno was less direct. "I feel very badly for the governor's wife, for his children," said Senate Republican leader Bruno. "The important thing for the people of New York state is that people in office do the right thing, because there are so many challenges out there and it's important that we govern." Spitzer can't expect much help even from Democrats in the Legislature, many of whom have had run-ins with Spitzer. "It's sort of a bipartisan feeling of shock and lot of mouth-dropping," said Democratic Assemblyman John McEneny, as he left a closed-door conference of chamber's Democratic majority. "I don't think anyone remembers anything like this. It's only an accusation, but you don't apologize for accusations." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Blazing Saddles Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Our Lt. Govenor is a guy named Patterson - black man that is legally blind. If you look at him closely, he looks like a black Mel Brooks, when Mel played the "Gov" in Blazing Saddles. That's what I think, at least. NYS should become a fun place to live! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ryanista Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 BC Voice's Very Own-Garo He would sure be an improvement over Mr. Perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Trump Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 After the November 2008 special election: Governor Michael Bloomberg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 After the November 2008 special election: Governor Michael Bloomberg No this is for REAL!!! If Spitzer leaves office the Lieutennant Governeror becomes the PERMANNENT GOV. There will be NO NOVEMBER 2008 SPECIAL ELECTION!!! If for whatever reason the LT. Gov. chooses not to be Gov. then Joseph Brunno becomes permanent Gov!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Hopefully after this people will have learned better not to put a democrat in office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Our Lt. Govenor is a guy named Patterson - black man that is legally blind. If you look at him closely, he looks like a black Mel Brooks, when Mel played the "Gov" in Blazing Saddles. That's what I think, at least. NYS should become a fun place to live! It would be the blind democrats leading the blind democrats ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ralph Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 ALBANY (AP) - Less than two years after he reluctantly ran for lieutenant governor, David Paterson is suddenly in line to be just the eighth black governor in American history, the first in New York. "He's the next governor, and probably quite soon," said Maurice Carroll, director of Quinnipiac University's Polling Institute and a longtime New York political reporter. Attention turned to Paterson immediately after word surfaced Monday that Gov. Eliot Spitzer had been linked to a high-priced prostitution ring. In a brief appearance in front of reporters, Spitzer issued a vague apology and did not mention resignation. If Spitzer quits, Paterson automatically becomes governor and would complete Spitzer's term, which ends Dec. 31, 2010. There was no immediate comment from Paterson. Paterson, the 53-year-old Democrat, legally blind career politician from Harlem is well respected by Republicans and Democrats. Former New York City Mayor Edward Koch recently called Paterson "very capable, not withstanding his near sightlessness. It's never impeded his public actions or his personal actions and he's really overcome it in an extraordinary way." Paterson's disability has been a non-issue in Albany for more than 20 years as he has memorized lengthy, impassioned speeches without missing a mark. "He's smart, he's knowledgeable about New York state government and politics and he's a guy who likes to get along with people," Carroll said. As for what a Gov. Paterson would face, Carroll sees a "fairly placid, amiable time for awhile." Paterson has enjoyed a good relationship with Spitzer's chief nemesis, Republican Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, despite being the architect behind getting Democrats to within one seat of taking control of the Senate. In pointed yet often humorous floor debates, a kind of father-son relationship was evident between the Harlem Democrat and the rural, upstate Republican. Spitzer surprised Paterson with the lieutenant's job offer two years ago, so focused was he on taking control of the Senate and becoming majority leader. But Carroll doesn't expect Bruno to hold a grudge. "Bruno is scrappy, but he doesn't go looking for fights," Carroll said. Paterson would also have an advantage in that he would ascend to the governor's post with most of three years remaining in the term he would fill. That keeps away the stigma of being a a lame-duck, said Lee Miringoff of the Marist College poll. "If he becomes governor, he can move forward with what he wants to do as governor and start to set a tone," Miringoff said. "The state will have been shaken by all these revelations and I think he's someone who is widely respected and he has a lot of experience in the corridors of Albany." As for Spitzer, he appears dead in the political water. "The problem Governor Spitzer had is not just today," Miringoff said Monday. "It's that he has no favorable public opinion to fall back on ... it's not like he was a hugely popular governor who has this problem that people would like to look past." "He should resign office immediately," said state Assembly Republican leader James Tedisco. "He has disgraced his office and the entire state of New York," said Tedisco of Schenectady County. Bruno was less direct. "I feel very badly for the governor's wife, for his children," said Senate Republican leader Bruno. "The important thing for the people of New York state is that people in office do the right thing, because there are so many challenges out there and it's important that we govern." Spitzer can't expect much help even from Democrats in the Legislature, many of whom have had run-ins with Spitzer. "It's sort of a bipartisan feeling of shock and lot of mouth-dropping," said Democratic Assemblyman John McEneny, as he left a closed-door conference of chamber's Democratic majority. "I don't think anyone remembers anything like this. It's only an accusation, but you don't apologize for accusations." Ralph Nadar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 Actually, he is a well respected person on both sides of the aisle. His disability doesn't impair his job, never has. He was one of the most skilled debaters in the State Senate. And, yes, the State Constitution provides that if Gov resigns, impeached, dies, etc, the Lt Gov serves the full term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest See Me, Feel Me Posted March 11, 2008 Report Share Posted March 11, 2008 I don't know what kind of Governor he'll be, but that deaf, dumb and blind kid, sure plays a mean pinball! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandma Caprio Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Does he know he's black? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Blazzing Saddles Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 I don't know what kind of Governor he'll be, but that deaf, dumb and blind kid, sure plays a mean pinball! Wasn't I right? Doesn't he look like a black version of a younger Mel Brooks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 He was rude to President Bush. Bush waved to him and he never waved back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2pelo Honey Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Wasn't I right? Doesn't he look like a black version of a younger Mel Brooks? LOL at this!!! "Work work work work...Helloooooooo, Boys!!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 Does he know he's black? WTF does that matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted March 12, 2008 Report Share Posted March 12, 2008 I don't know what kind of Governor he'll be, but that deaf, dumb and blind kid, sure plays a mean pinball! I'm probably going to hell for saying this, but this made me laugh out loud!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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