It is now being reported that the Governor will step aside and not run for re-election. An announcement is expected soon...
Gov. David Paterson has told Democratic leaders that he won't seek election to a full term amid a roiling scandal over whether he and his troopers intimidated a woman who'd reported domestic violence against one of his top aides, The Post has learned.
Paterson communicated his intentions to top advisers and supporters, saying he'll make an announcement today, multiple sources said -- confirming a Post report.
Paterson, who took over the state's top spot when Eliot Spitzer resigned after it was disclosed that he had sex with a prostitute, is expected to say he won't resign.
...this clears the field for Andy Cuomo to run for the highest office in the state. The attacks, both internal and external, from national Democratic leaders have finally hit their mark. Will there be political payback for their actions in the minority community? Seems that Mr. Paterson was "embattled" since he stepped into Eliot Spitzer's black socks shoes. The story continues and the only question remaining is whether or not he'll be able to finish out his term..
Just last night Paterson said he intended to continue his campaign, which he launched this past weekend. But he also said he would talk to fellow Democrats about his future.
Paterson yesterday was hit with a flurry of body blows following the disclosure that he called a woman who said aide David Johnson attacked her. In addition, the State Police may have intervened in the case.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who likely will become the Democratic nominee for governor, is investigating what happened.
The resignation yesterday of Denise E. O’Donnell, Paterson's deputy secretary for public safety, was the biggest jolt to the governor's campaign.
"The fact that the governor and members of the State Police have acknowledged direct contact with a woman who had filed for an order of protection against a senior member of the Governor’s staff is a very serious matter," she wrote in a statement. "These actions are unacceptable regardless of their intent."
Even friends began abandoning Paterson.
Rep. Steve Israel (D-LI), a friend of Paterson, was the first prominent Democrat to call for the governor to ditch his campaign.
"It's become apparent that he should not seek election, and should announce it soon," Israel said. "Sometimes, friends have to speak unpleasant truths."
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester), went so far as to say that the governor might be too damaged to serve out the remainder of his term.
"Aside from the allegations, the political reality is the governor cannot be an effective candidate or official for New York," Lowey said.
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written by Jay Golub , February 26, 2010
wow. I really didn't see them finding a way to get Paterson out, but this cover-up of wrongdoing by his aide has finally been able to get the job done. What a fool!
Now this makes TWO corrupt/un-ethical/immoral Democrats to bite the dust in the Governor's mansion.
It's scary, but these two guys are making former Governor Pataki look like a saint...
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written by Daniel Peterson , February 26, 2010
I wonder if anyone would bring up the fact that the Democratic party, which somehow believes its the party of civil rights and equality, does its dirty work to sink a black democrat holding a high office while during Black History Month.
I really don't believe this party has changed since the days of Andrew Jackson. Where's the Harry Reid scolding when you need it?
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written by Rus Thompson , February 26, 2010
Now Cuomo will be anointed? Shall we just have him bow down and take the crown now or should we defeat him? Cuomo is NOT going to be governor.
I drafted Carl Paladino to run and turn Albany upside down, we will be running a team with Senate candidates. We need to take back the Governors seat and the Senate. If not we all move.
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written by Jay Golub , February 26, 2010
Danny, I agree that there should be some backlash against the Democrats from the minority community. Forgetting whether or not either of them deserved it, they've tossed Hiram to the curb in a highly dubious manner and now they've finally succeeded in taking out the Governor.
I don't know who Paladino is (and the websites that come up for him don't explain much Rus), but, in my view, it is time to rally around Lazio, help him get the financial and physical support he needs and get him into the governor's mansion...
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written by Rus Thompson , February 26, 2010
We are going to Primary Lazio. He will get killed by Cuomo... Google Carl. http://www.google.com/#hl=en&s...278f68e4a4
I have also posted stuff in my blog about him. http://Albanysinsanity.com
Lots more coming soon.
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written by Robert Hornak , February 26, 2010
That will be a neat trick, Russ. Lazio already has most of the support locked up. And if you think he is a weak candidate, what makes you think this Paladino guy, who I have never heard of, is a stronger candidate?
I looked at both websites and could discern very little info about this guy, other than he is CEo of some sort of a development company and comes from Buffalo.
Buffalo? Are you serious? No wonder nobody ever heard of him. The last thing we need is a no-name candidate from a small town in the farthest reaches of upstate.
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written by Daniel Peterson , February 26, 2010
No named upstate candidate?
Why, Robert?
Do upstate no-names not win?
Or do they turn out to ruin a party's image after turning on their principles?
And then after they are gone, get asked to run for US Senate?
Hmm.
Can't think of anyone like that so maybe Paladino could work.
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written by osher g. , February 26, 2010
I think Lazio should welcome a primary. It would make him a better candidate, and it would get him and the state GOP much needed publicity/exposure around the state.
Separately, it's a little sad that a few months before the election, republicans have two declared candidates running for governor, democrats have zero, and in all probability republicans will not win the election.
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written by Quickjustice , February 26, 2010
This is a rare instance of the N.Y. Times, the Cuomo campaign, and the Obama White House uniting to destroy the candidacy of New York's first black governor.nnHad they believed that David Paterson could win, not a word of this scandal would have leaked out. The Democrats have destroyed one of their own out of political expediency, and with the connivance of the White House. Will Cuomo pay for this? Doubtful.
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written by Frank Ammendolea , February 26, 2010
I've never heard of Carl Paladino, but I am sure he would be better than Andrew Cuomo.
As for Lazio, I've gone on about this here in the past. He was an OK Congressman when he served in the '90s, but he was never a standout. I never knew any activists who got excited at the prospect of Rick Lazio running for higher office, and it's because he was basically a Long Island machine pol - a milquetoast, go along to get along kind of guy. There are worse people we could nominate, but I have to believe there are also better.
There's also a guy named Warren Redlich who has announced his candidacy. He hails from the libertarian wing of the party and will probably be the nominee of the Libertarian Party no matter what happens in the GOP primary. I don't know if his candidacy is realistically viable, but we need to have this debate. Lazio should not be anointed.
Sadly, at the moment the most exciting Republican candidacy in New York is the Draft Larry Kudlow movement - and it's not even a sure thing that he will run! If we let this opportunity slip away this year, it may never come again.
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written by Quickjustice , February 26, 2010
I saw the Suffolk County Executive, a centrist Democrat named Levy, make an impassioned plea for GOP support for the gubernatorial nomination.
Levy's a good speaker, better than Lazio. I doubt he'll get the GOP nod, however.
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written by GOPNYC , February 26, 2010
My, how city-centric we are!
Shall I remind you that Buffalo produced Grover Cleveland? That it was the place where TR assumed the presidency? That it was the district that produced Jack Kemp, one of Ronald Reagan's leading supporters? And Bill Paxon, former RNCC Chair and one of the principal architects of the 1994 GOP congressional takeover?
Shall I remind you, too, that Senator Charles Goodell (father of the current NFL commissioner) was from Western New York? Or that Amo Houghton, from Corning, was perhaps the single most thoughtful and influential member of the Ways and Means Committee -- as well as the richest man in the House -- until his retirement?
Dennis Vacco, former NYS Attorney General? Ned Reagan, former Erie County Executive and NYS Comptroller?
Western New York is arguably FAR more Republican and conservative than any of those who purport to wear the label downstate. We've also fielded a good portion of the state's GOP leadership for a number of years.
You saying you "never heard" of someone simply because they were from upstate reminds me of the equally haughty comment by an NYU Admissions Dean who said of my upstate hometown, upon my arrival here, said in a heavy LonGa IslandD accent, "I never heard of that." I replied, "That's OK. I was 16 before I ever heard of Roslyn -- and that was a joke about Jimmy Carter's wife."
Upstate New Yorkers are "New Yorkers", too. Show some respect. Especially if you want their votes.
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written by Jay Golub , February 26, 2010
"We are going to Primary Lazio."
If you are, you better hurry up. Besides the fact that he's got the nomination locked up from the Party's perspective, he's already making in-roads into the community all over the state from what I hear.
Besides, do you really think, Russ, that you can introduce a brand-new figure into the political environment of this state and produce a better candidate to face Cuomo? It would certainly be a historic achievement. I doubt there's much reason to try if all you have is what you've sent us...
And, btw, I don't see anything wrong with candidates from Buffalo running for Governor as it appears some of my fellow Elephants do, but I don't agree with your strong sentiment, GOPNYC. America isn't the same country it was back when Cleveland and TR were around. Buffalo's not the "big city" it was back then and, sadly true for most of Upstate New York, it never will be...
"I think Lazio should welcome a primary."
I can't see how that makes sense in this particular case - especially with campaign funds being so scarce in this very competitive election year. If there were ample funds, I don't see the problem, but again, with Cuomo having a clear field this race becomes less about the candidates themselves and more about the Partys and what each one would do in office.
Essentially, two known quantities like these will have no problems explaining to the people of the state that they are "qualified" to be running for the office - making "the issues" much more of the focus of the campaign. This is good for the GOP and our chances at taking back both the Senate AND the Governor's mansion.
Just think: TWO governors from the Democratic Party have had to step down in scandal. In just a matter of months from taking over the Senate, the Democrats actually were able to put another black-eye on Albany and the Circus hasn't stopped yet. And lastly, the State's finances have NEVER been in worse shape and there is little being done to rectify the problem.
The GOP could not be in better shape than it is today to win back two-thirds control from the Dems.
Primaries aren't needed now. New candidates aren't needed now. Organization and a simple message of bringing both moral and fiscal sanity back to Albany is what is required. A simple task that we only have to work hard on to achieve...
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written by GOPNYC , February 26, 2010
AND he's from Upstate, Robert!!!
Bob Duffy, Mayor of Rochester. Ex-cop with a Master's Degree from Syracuse University and a bachelor's from RIT (that's the Rochester Institute of Technoolgy, for you unfortunates who have had the misfortune of living your entire life outside God's truly definiing area of New York State.)
http://www.cityofrochester.gov/article.aspx?id=8589938393
The thought of Andrew Cuomo as governor--- with the EXACT same voice and ugly, sickly, sad-eyed face of "The Spacime", the Elder, I think I shall be physically ill.
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written by Jay Golub , February 26, 2010
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/ gov_paterson_will_not_seek_reelection_SOcqNab2BmqoD7pcz
xCBXL
It's official...
A defiant Gov. Paterson announced this afternoon that he won't run for a full term this November following a roiling scandal over whether he and his troopers intimidated a woman who'd reported domestic violence against one of his top aides.
"I am being realistic about politics ... It has become increasingly clear to me that I cannot run for office and manage the state's business at the same time," he said during a news conference.
The scandal-scarred Paterson, who only took a few questions, added, with one hand raised in the air, that he has "never abused my office -- not now, not ever!"
...The level of incompetence by the Democrats, now both being displayed here in Albany as well as in the White House and D.C., is astonishing!
These guys can pile on Bush and Pataki all they want, but they should never be given the keys to the car again...
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written by evannyny , February 28, 2010
From Dan: I wonder if anyone would bring up the fact that the Democratic party, which somehow believes its the party of civil rights and equality, does its dirty work to sink a black democrat holding a high office while during Black History Month.
_________________________________________
We all know how hypocritical the Dems can be on racial matters, but, Dan, I am not sure this dumping of Paterson is about race.
It seems to me that the whole idea of civil rights and equality is to give people, formerly excluded from a realistic chance at high office, a better chance to run, to win and to ultimately show that they can be just as crooked and dishonest as white politicians.
We Republicans don't like Obama, NOT becuase he is black, but because his policies are BAD.
I would like to think, that Democrats want Paterson out, including prominent black Democrats, because he is an incomepetent, inept Governor, and morally speaking, right up their with his predecessor! I just don't see race as an issue here.
A Republican appeal to black voters, that it was the Dems who forced out the State's' first black Governor, will NOT work, so I hope it is not ever used.
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written by Behold a Pale Horse , March 01, 2010
So Andrew Cuomo is definitely going to, leaving the Attorney General's vacant.
Several Democrats are interesting in moving up such as ultraliberal State Senator Eric Schneiderman of Manhattan and liberal State Senator Jeff Klein of the Bronx
Assemblyman Mike Benedetto of the Bronx has said that he will run for Klein's seat if Klein does run for Attorney General.
So... which Republican will run for Attorney General?
And which Republican will run for Klein's seat and for Benedetto's seat?
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