ALBANY, N.Y., March 11, 2008
Paterson To Become First Black N.Y. Gov.
With Spitzer Resignation, Lt. Gov. To Become Third Governor, Effective Monday
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New York State Lt. Gov. David Paterson takes his oath of office, in this Jan. 1, 2007 file photo, at the New York State Capitol in Albany, N.Y., as his wife, Michelle Paige Paterson, right, watches. (AP)
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Play CBS Video Video Spitzer's Sex Scandal Battle Once known as a moral crime-buster, Gov. Eliot Spitzer assembled a legal team to defend his involvement in a sex scandal that could spell the end of his political career. Jeff Glor reports.
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Video Greenfield On Spitzer Maggie Rodriguez speaks with senior political analyst Jeff Greenfield about the Spitzer sex scandal and speculates whether the New York governor will be forced to resign.
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Video Behind Spitzer's Downfall New York State Gov. Eliot Spitzer was caught on wiretap arranging to meet a prostitute, a source says. He may face charges of money laundering and tax fraud. Armen Keteyian reports.
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Interactive Spitzer Scandal New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer is the target of a federal prostitution investigation.
"He's the next governor and probably quite soon," said Maurice Carroll, director of Quinnipiac University's Polling Institute and a longtime New York political reporter.
Attention turned to Paterson immediately after word surfaced Monday that Gov. Eliot Spitzer had been linked to a high-priced prostitution ring.
Spitzer announced Wednesday that he is resigning, completing a spectacular fall from power for a politician with a once-promising career.
Spitzer says his resignation is effective Monday, due to an agreement he reached with Paterson, who will automatically become governor. He is set to complete Spitzer's term, which ends Dec. 31, 2010.
There was no immediate comment from Paterson.
Paterson, a 53-year-old Democrat from Harlem who is mostly blind, is well respected by Republicans and Democrats.
Former New York City Mayor Edward Koch recently called Paterson "very capable, not withstanding his near sightlessness. It's never impeded his public actions or his personal actions, and he's really overcome it in an extraordinary way."
Paterson, who does not use a cane or a guide dog, can make out shapes and even people up close. He lost most of his sight as an infant when an infection damaged his optic nerve. He still talks of his fragile self-esteem in childhood and recalls not being invited to parties because "people thought I would fall and hurt myself."
Paterson's disability has never been an issue in Albany in his 20-year political career. He has memorized lengthy, impassioned speeches without missing a mark; cited arcane legal references in fast-paced floor debates; and won more victories for his party in the Senate than any other leader in the Legislature. His efforts brought Democrats to within a seat of taking the Senate majority for the first time in decades.
Critics and supporters alike all point to the intellect, compassion and humor that Paterson brings to the Statehouse. When Spitzer picked him to be his running mate in 2006, Paterson deadpanned: "I told Eliot, `Whenever you are trying to reform a system, you need a person with vision and a person who is a technician,' and that's what I am ... because I sure don't have vision."
"He's going to bring love to the executive branch and Legislature," said Assemblyman Dov Hikind, a Brooklyn Democrat. "He's a real mensch, plain and simple."
The only other black governors since Reconstruction were Deval Patrick, currently serving in Massachusetts, and L. Douglas Wilder of Virginia, who left office in 1994.
Even New York Republicans have a healthy respect for Paterson.
"I don't think there's an issue David Paterson and I agree on, but he's one of the most decent, honorable guys I've ever met," said Rep. Peter King of Long Island, who already was referring to Paterson as "the new governor."
Paterson has enjoyed a good relationship with Spitzer's chief nemesis, Republican Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. In pointed yet humorous floor debates, a kind of father-son relationship was evident between the younger Harlem Democrat and the rural, upstate Republican, who is 78.
Two years ago, Paterson was so focused on taking control of the Senate and becoming majority leader that he was surprised by Spitzer's offer to be lieutenant governor.
If he ascends to the governor's office, Paterson would also have an advantage in that he would have nearly three years remaining in Spitzer's term.
"If he becomes governor, he can move forward with what he wants to do as governor and start to set a tone," said Lee Miringoff of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. "The state will have been shaken by all these revelations. And I think he's someone who is widely respected, and he has a lot of experience in the corridors of Albany."
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- Mr Paterson couldnt do any worse for the state.
Hope his urban roots doesnt cloud his upstate judgement.
Curious that 50 girls are working and only one democrat politician is listed. Very odd that reporters have''t look past information being suppied by a republican justice department. Theres got to be more news in this. - Reply to this comment
- Black and Blind. I sure hope he is ready for prime time. If not, he is going to be black and blind and highly maligned. I hope all the great things I read are true about Paterson. New York needs leadership not demagoguery and bully mentality Spitzer had to offer. This could be a blessing. Good Luck to Gov. Paterson.
- Reply to this comment
- The Jews are gonna LOVE this!
Posted by watcher269 at 11:29 AM : Mar 12, 2008
that was funny. - Reply to this comment
- The Jews are gonna LOVE this!
- Reply to this comment
- Talk about a silver lining!!! New Yorkers may end up being grateful to Eliot Spitzer for his indiscretion.
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Posted by flreason at 03:14 PM : Mar 11, 2008
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You know, that is exactly what I though when I read the bio on this guy. He sounds like a class act and should be a credit to New York. Maybe he has some ethics and will attend to the STATES business instead of monkey business. :o) - Reply to this comment
- AND HE MADE IT THROUGH NO TALENT OF HIS OWN!
Just like Obama.
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Posted by DemWatcher at 07:38 PM : Mar 11, 2008
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Paterson''s disability has never been an issue in Albany in his 20-year political career. He has memorized lengthy, impassioned speeches without missing a mark; cited arcane legal references in fast-paced floor debates; and won more victories for his party in the Senate than any other leader in the Legislature. His efforts brought Democrats to within a seat of taking the Senate majority for the first time in decades.
Critics and supporters alike all point to the intellect, compassion and humor that Paterson brings to the Statehouse. When Spitzer picked him to be his running mate in 2006, Paterson deadpanned: "I told Eliot, `Whenever you are trying to reform a system, you need a person with vision and a person who is a technician,'' and that''s what I am ... because I sure don''t have vision."
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Really?? I suppose you think Bush has talent and made it on his own. Ha ha ha ha.... As far as talent, Bush isn''t qualfied to sit in the same room with this guy, or Obama. - Reply to this comment
- AND HE MADE IT THROUGH NO TALENT OF HIS OWN!
Just like Obama. - Reply to this comment
- David Paterson, by the way, is an ENTHUSIASTIC supporter of Hillary Clinton. Why isn''t this mentioned in the article?
- Reply to this comment
- Talk about a silver lining!!! New Yorkers may end up being grateful to Eliot Spitzer for his indiscretion.
- Reply to this comment
- Cool! That''s awesome!
- Reply to this comment
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