Richard Ravitch Governor? If Paterson Resigns It Could Happen

Richard Ravitch, Governor of New York?

The prospect of Ravitch becoming governor is a very real possibility, should Gov. David Paterson resign due to mounting pressure.

Ravitch is currently the Lieutenant-Governor of New York and would be next in line.

Democratic officials told the AP today Paterson won't run for re-election in 2010 and his approval ratings are waning.

Born in 1933 in New York City, Ravitch sought the Democratic mayoral nomination for New York in 1989.

Ravitch's career has included serving as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and President of the Player Relations Committee for Major League Baseball.

In July 2009, Paterson appointed Ravitch lieutenant-governor, sparking controversy and State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo calling the move unconstitutional.

Among those calling for a Governor Richard Ravitch is HuffPost blogger David A. Singer, a New York attorney, who wrote today:

David Paterson should cede the gubernatorial reigns to Richard Ravitch. And then, both the Democratic and Republicans parties should right now announce that they will cross-endorse Richard Ravitch to be Governor of New York State -- not just through the end of this year -- but for the following four. At 77 years old, Ravitch doesn't want or need this. But we need Governor Ravitch now. He's the adult in the room.

Quick Poll

Would you like to see a Governor Richard Ravitch?

Yes

No

Not sure

Don't care

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

Comments

[fortune007]

12:19 PM on 03/01/2010

Where is your proof of all of these allegations? You just do not like to see black people doing what white people have been doing forever. Nepotism! Hiring your friends or whatever you want to call it. I watch this happen the same way in corporate America and government. Stop your b.s. When blacks are in positions to do it now it is a problem. F^&^%& you! You want your folk in there so you can hire your dumb friends and unqualified incompetent white people. Once again stop your b.s. You clown!

[messy]

09:37 AM on 02/27/2010

As an elected Lt. Governor, he's an elected Governor, Ravitch was appointed unconstiutionally, and would be a coup.

[cleanupnynow]

10:40 PM on 02/26/2010

Richard Ravitch could be a successful interim Guv. But for that to happen David Paterson needs to resign NOW. He has severely compromised his office and can not serve effectively.

For too long David Paterson has used his office, whether it be as head of the Senate Minority, Lt. Governor or as Governor, as an employment agency for his unqualified friends, associates, and gal pals – David Johnson, Clemmie Harris, Michael Jones-Bey, Gabrielle Turner, Indira Noel…. This practice needs to stop now.

His staff and all his friends that he has placed in jobs need to be cleaned out as well...GET HIM AND THEM OUT NOW.

This UN-ELECTED GOV needs to go now, before more damage is done and more of the wrong people profit from his office.

“The Democratic Conference Organizational and Structural Report” detailing the workings of Paterson’s office while he was Senate Minority leader in the New York State Senate is an objective assessment of this clowns ability to manage or more precisely mismanage.

http://www.politico.com/static/PPM110_demreportfinal.html

This scathing report indicated that Paterson’s Senate Minority office, headed by the supremely incompetent Michael Jones-Bey, was completely dysfunctional. Mr. Jones-Bey, a childhood friend of Paterson, who is now incredulously Director of Division of Minority & Women's Business Development at New York State’s Empire State Development Corporation, was reported to be more interested in partying and boozing up with staff than working.