David Paterson, The Accidental Governor?
Governor Paterson is DEFINITELY AN ACCIDENT! Like a ten car pile up on the FDR! Or an eighteen-wheeler hitting a Prius on the 405! You may want to call him an accident, but he is not the guilty party! He's an accident because his principles, ideals and vision are the kind that we could not have expected to see in the Governor's mansion. The fact is, his support for people in need is unprecedented. So, this is one accident I am happy to be a part of.
It is easy to be as progressive as he is when you are representing a progressive district, but when you get to the Governor's office, I guess "accidents" are not supposed to happen. It seems that you are suppose to toe the line, and leave your progressive ideas where you came from. Definitely don't bring that sh*t to Albany.
Maybe we can say the Governor is cashing in the clunker, as it has been decades since we have seen a progressive in Albany like David Paterson. Okay, I will admit, he's got a sh*tty communications department and sometimes says the wrong thing...but, we should be looking at what he believes and what he is getting done and what he wants to get done. That is what really matters.
Putting aside his weak communications department, and his ill-advised decision to not appoint Caroline Kennedy or Andrew Cuomo to Senate last year, (although more conservative, Kirsten Gillebrand, is still a fine choice), the Governor is someone who the progressives should be thrilled
about. Throughout his entire political career, Governor Paterson has worked tirelessly to uplift and educate working class people. If the Governor runs next year, we should stand up and support him. In fact, whoever runs on the Democratic ticket, we hope he or she can live up to the standards set by Governor Paterson.
In a year where every single Governor is under fire, and other governors have simply quit (Mrs. Palin?), Governor Paterson is working hard to weather the storm during this difficult economic time. Remember, states don't have the ability to print money and spend their way out of trouble. Governor
Paterson, like every Governor has had to have a sharp knife, cutting so many programs and angering so many people. However, let's not forget how dull a knife gets for Governor Paterson when it comes to programs that uplift the poor.
During his short time in office, the Governor has been successful at championing progressive causes. He raised taxes on the wealthy (including me!), ended the Rockefeller Drug Laws, publicly supported same-sex marriages and gave $200 back-to-school grants to low-income families. And when the legislature in Albany was at stalemate, his leadership shined through when he named a lieutenant governor to break the tie. These are just a few reasons why David Paterson is no "accidental governor."
He is the righteous Governor of our great state of New York, and I know that if given the chance, while at the same time being held accountable by the people of our state, he can be a champion for all of us!
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Patterson needs to show and prove that he won't be a disaster for the Democratic Party. If he loses, a Republican can potentially take his spot as Governor and appoint a Republican Senator. Then we lose a seat in the Senate, and we need all of the true Democratic congressmen/women that we can get to push forward Obama's agenda. This is the problem in a nutshell. If he runs, he MUST win. And if he loses, the whole Democratic Party loses, and that affects the entire country.
I don't see a problem with Cuomo running against him for the job. The Governorship is Cuomo's to win and Paterson's to keep. It is said that the incumbent always has an advantage, but if Democrats think his record is so abysmal that he'd lose, then Cuomo has a better chance at winning with his already 67% positive polling results.
IF the POTUS actually wants him out of the race, I understand the logic. What I don't understand is why "Democrats" continue to bite their own noses off to spite their face.
One thing that I did not like is how he treated Caroline Kennedy. That was a total jacka$$ move he made. She didn't deserve that. She wanted to be a public servant, and I can't name one Kennedy who's public service work hasn't been beneficial to all citizens. She definitely isn't a Blue Dog. Lord knows we didn't need another one of those total party road blocks in Congress.
Exactly why i love you Russell. You don't mince words and you definitely don't straddle the fence. You are the kind of guy i want on my side during this time of economic hardship for so many. Governor Paterson has done a wonderful job for New York and he will only get better with time.
It's hard for me to believe that our President would even hint to him not to run for Office. That should be his decision along with his family and advisors and it shouldn't be played out in the media this soon so as to influence others against him.
Our President has a unique and intelligent way of dealing with the issue of race relations and maybe many of our elected representatives could do with a seminar or two on "Race Relations The Obama Way". But don't indict those of us who aren't versed in this style. I am beginning to understand his strategy and do appreciate it, but I also appreciate people like President Carter and Speaker Pelosi expressing their views. I happen to agree with them and have so much more that i could contribute on the subject.
Let's get behind Governor Paterson or any politician of our choosing and support them without being influenced by anything or anyone other than their qualifications and ability to do the job!
Mr. Simmons is the man. Aside from producing really cheesy reality shows, he continues to hit the mark. Keep up the great work!!!
Spot on, Russell, it good to hear from you. We The People need to hear more from intelligent men like you.
Peace and Love
Hes my gov too Russel. I have warmed to him considerably. I know he was strapped with huge losses of revenue and needed to make cuts. My coworkers and I were absolutly ready to give up our 3% raise to help the greater cause. But then we heard about his proposal to raise some of his staffers pay by 46%. While the raises meant only a $250,000 increase annually for the budget, it set a tone. That is the tone that he will be fighting hard against for reelection. I actually like the guy a lot. The more I hear him speak, the more he seems like one of us.
This is a good piece. Patterson brings a lot to the table. He is a common man in an extrodinary position. He is doing the job in a tough economic and media environment, filled with self- loathing and cynicism. The state has lost its competative spirit. Now living off of Wall street, the media and tourism the state is out of the loop at the national level.
Mr. Simmons is a great exception to the rule. He took the raw talent of the streets and created a world wide business and industry. Not just minorities but people of all backgrounds have been enriched by his work.
David Patterson is a New York first kind of guy. No special interest or secrete agenda. Ms.Gilibra
Gov Patterson is in a position to bring in more federal business to this state than any of his potential rivals. There is a certain magic AND LUCK about the man and he does in fact a well of moral authority about him.
We've had plenty of ambitous cold steely governors and mayors to what end.? Who got hit on 9/11 and who ruled as the debt tanked?
Patterson is OK. We had enough of these big ego, bad luck bad news bears.
We need a guy whi is lucky.
This commentary is truly off and ignores Paterson's obvious flaws. His low approval has nothing to do with his communication department or because he's progressive. He's a bad leader and horrible decision maker.
Even if his communication's team was at fault, don't you think he would be wise to let them go and build a team that works? That would be rational and right. But Patterson has shown a high level of incompetence, so keeping ineffective people around him would be expected.
I don't know the man's heart. Perhaps he does care to implement positive policies and initiatives, but all he's proven in his 17 months as governor is that he cannot do the job well.
www.ivyhor
I think his choice of senator was totally wrong. He dissed Caroline Kennedy by letting his do called communications team leak out information.
Patterson is guilty of being born in a country with in incredibly self-deluding, ignorant public.
Because it's totally not his fault that he has 0 control over his communications staff.
Totally not his fault that on his watch the senate revolted
Totally not his fault that it got so bad that the only way he could fix it is by illegally appointing a lieutennant gov.
Totally not his fault that his gay marridge initiative completely stalled.
OH wait no all of those things are his fault.
Yo Rush ... he's a Democratic hack from a famous political family so please don't pretend he's some sort of progressive. Take away the Patterson name and what do you have left? A Democratic hack who was patiently waiting his turn for the machine to kick in when Spitzer listened to his other "head" - you can relate, can't you Russell?
But what's worse, is I know you're better then this to try and sell Patterson just because he's Black. He's not a bad guy, but Governor material ? No way.
Patterson is a dismal failure, as is the rest of the current gov't in NY. Where do you live Mr. Simmons? I'm going to assume that where ever it is you don't listen to the news or read the papers from NY. You want people to rally behind the likely least popular governor of NY ever? Try stepping away from the party line and exercise some free thought. You aren't a racist if you think Patterson is a lousy governor, it's okay, really.
I agree
You know, I might agree with you on some of your points (not the Gillibrand appointment) but maybe some of the others. But my real question is - is anyone convinced that he really WANTS to be Governor? I'm have to say I'm not. I know that with the will he could do some amazing things with the Democratic majority in both houses. But I just don't see it. He's down to the wire here to show us that he has the drive...
I agree, Obama is about the same as paterson, I lived in Albany for 18 years up until 2000 and there was always gridlock, back room wrangling and old school locked out politics, blacks and whites would do well to listen to and read Alton Maddox's articles, blacks are being marrooned in Ny no matter who the Govenernor is. City schools run by the state and and out of touch mayor in Bloomburgh. And it does boil down to skin color ultimatley, as much as i loved Cumo, nothing ever got done, budgets were always late, and social workes like me never got state raises, thank God the Saint Anne's adminsitrators always found a way to give us a small raise. FREE Alton Maddox bkack folks in NY, do that and you will free yourself, I bet Wetchsler (sp) can practice law in NY again by now, or get a nomination the the Supreme court!!
Isn't this the same Russell Simmons that tried to encourage the people here to jump onto the 'Michael Steele' hip-hop train?
Sorry Russ. Paterson is totally incompetent and an embarrassment to this once great state. He's indecisive. And when he does decides he flip-flops. He's not a leader and is in waaaaay over his head in dealing with NY state's budget crisis. I truly, truly think he does not care. Witness how he keeps hiring his friends at six-figure jobs even though we have a hiring freeze and how he steers so much state and stimulus business to hi father's law firm.
Like most politicians these days, he's a lying narcissist who uses state resources for his own benefit to the detriment of the public he purports to serve.
You need a few more examples to fully substantiate your claims against Governor Patterson. You mention he is hiring his friends, but who doesn't if positions need to be filled? What governor would surround himself with a bunch of enemies? If you were governor, you'd hire those in whom you have the most confidence. Would you not?
every day the newspaper is filled with examples. I suggest picking up one.
what part of "hiring freeze" don't you and the governor understand? New York is broke!
Hiring Freeze means there is no current hiring, for friends, relatives, strangers, fictional and non fictional cahracters, or anyone other human being.
It literally means "we are not hiring right now".
Unless you just start to hire your friends only.
Then it's corruption in a hiring freeze.
Completely disagree
His leadership has been Abysmal. If he hadn't had flubbed he would have never have needed to appoint a lieutennant gov to break it, one that is still illegal BTW.
He was horrible to Caroline Kennedy, insulting, and he appointed a blue dog who's onyl changed her tune because she has to for any chance to get elected to the seat.
the Rockerfella laws is because of the Assembly, Patterson had nothing to do with that.
The one initiative he did have, Gay Marridge in NY, went nowhere as soon as he touched it.
He may be a progressive, but that's meaningless if he can't get anything done. We need Cuomo as governor, and the sooner Patterson steps aside the better off we all are.
Most state governments are bankrupt? Are you saying we ought to fire most state governors owing to their abysmal performances? Or, are you saying we should get rid of one of them because of his poor performance and let the others pass. Your statements strongly suggest discrimination.
The conversation is about the NY governor. When you amplify your incompetence by blaming your mistakes on the basis everyone around you is a racist, it is time to find a new governor.
No I'm saying that if a Govenor is weak enough that when his own party is in control of the senate, and it goes into a stalemate like that, that's a huge mark against him.
I'm saying when a Govenor messes up appointing a senator that badly, it's a mark against him.
I'm saying when a govenor doesn't get his one initiative, Gay Marridge in NY thru, that's a mark against him.
All these marks against him, including the fact that we never actually voted him in the first place, made me not want to vote for him this time. And now he's blaming everyone else calling it "racial" when it's his own bungling.
It's now time for him to go.
Oh and I would like plenty of other govenors to be fired, but we're talking about NY, and I can only vote in NY.
And no where in my original point did I say the words black, or race, or anything else of the sort, I didn't even mention race.
Get over yourself and see the man for the bad Govenor he really is.
Gov. Patterson has been an embarrassment. Understanding that he may never have had ambitions for such a heavily scrutinized position, fate dealt him this hand. And from this vantage point, has failed. His sense of humor is a relief in this toxic climate. However, as most of us coming from homes of people of color, the lesson you have to work twice as hard to be seen as good.....s
Being a Californian that has spent 2 decades in New York state, my opinions can only go so far.
I just wish for a speedy end to his term and pray that New York will find an appropriate Democratic successor.
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