Lt. Gov. David Paterson prepared to take over Monday for Gov. Eliot Spitzer. At his swearing-in as the state's 55th governor, Paterson plans to use his inaugural speech to project confidence and optimism, while relating his own personal struggles to New York's ability to overcome challenges, an aide said.Paterson will become the state's first black governor and the nation's first legally blind chief executive to serve more than a few days. After acknowledging what a difficult week it has been for the state, Paterson plans to talk about the need for Republicans and his fellow Democrats to work together to address pressing issues, including the state budget.
His father, Basil Patterson is a former state senator representing Harlem and later New York's first black secretary of state, was part of a political fraternity that included fellow Democrats U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, former New York City Mayor David Dinkins - the city's first black mayor - and former Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton.
"It's very daunting" Paterson said Friday. "I definitely feel anxiety ... but in the end, we have a job to do. And we're here to do that job."
3 comments:
That's a pretty solid political pedigree, especially around here. Although, as Lt. Gov., he has had to prepare for the role he now plays since his first day in office, he's going to have a tough row to hoe because of the shocking circumstances which led him to the governorship, the usual snarls of NY state politics, and and because of the lack of proper transition time. I really wish him the best, for all of us who live here.
It is too bad about the scandal, but I wish you New Yorkers luck with your next governor. Hopefully this guy will redeem the office.
Well, that's what we both hoped for when we wrote those comments. Unfortunately, the revelations that came yesterday have started the new administration in a whole new scandal.
Post a Comment