I have had it with the accidental Governor. Until now, you could argue that Gov. Paterson's problems are caused by the recession, which has hit New York especially hard. While Wall St. is handing out big bonuses again, the State revenues are down and the Governor has had to make many cuts. Paterson is likely to be challenged by the popular Attorney General (and son of a former Governor ) Cuomo.
Gov. Paterson's cheap shot at the Obama administration over the trial of the 9/11 terrorists is the last straw. CBSNews:
Gov. David Paterson openly criticized the White House on Monday, saying he thought it was a terrible idea to move alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other suspected terrorists to New York for trial.
The Mayor of New York,the Police Commissioner, both Senators and the Congressman representing lower Manhattan all support the decision to bring the terrorists to justice. Only Giuliani and the usual Republican hyenas have been opposing. Now Gov. Paterson has handed FOX News a juicy quote they can milk for weeks:
This is not a decision that I would have made. I think terrorism isn't just attack, it's anxiety and I think you feel the anxiety and frustration of New Yorkers who took the bullet for the rest of the country
Paterson's later protestations that he will facilitate the Federal Justice Department decision are meaningless. On this extremely sensitive topic, which the Republicans are shamelessly exploiting for their own political gain, the Governor could not be more wrong.He is wrong on the principle: the greatest crime in American History should not be allowed to subvert our legal process. He is wrong on policy: closing Guantanamo and trying the terrorists by a jury of the people most affected by their crime is the best way to handle the mess that Bush/Cheny created. And Paterson is wrong on politics: this is not the time to show divisions among Democrats.
With dismal poll ratings, a populace in uproar over budget cuts, a dysfunctional legislature, Gov. Paterson did not need to also piss the last few loyal Democrats still on is sides. The Governor has lost any remaining credibility.
I have always thought that the Attorney General of New York has an unfair advantage in politics. He does not get blamed for any screw ups in Government. Has no responsibility to make unpopular budget decisions. Gets good headlines when he goes after corporate malfeasance. Eliot Spitzer was not just elected Governor, he was canonized. We know how all that ended. As long as the Andrew Cuomo does not let his current popularity to go to his head, he stands an excellent of defeating Paterson in the Primary and anyone the Republicans can put up. Rudy Giuliani in particular has shown himself to be a weak opponent. He flamed out both against Hillary Clinton as a potential Senate candidate and in the 2008 Presidential Primaries. Rick Lazio made a total fool of himself against Sen. Clinton in 2000. There is no one else on the horizon.
Thus Democrats risk little by opposing Gov. Paterson. We risk more by having a proven failure represent us in the 2010 NY Gubernatorial race. Even Rudy could beat Paterson. Do we really want to risk hearing "Noun Verb 9/11" for four years?