N.Y. Gov. Paterson blames unpopularity on his skin
New York's Democratic Gov. David Paterson has figured out why his popularity there has declined from the heady days when the lieutenant governor succeeded sex scandal-plagued fellow Democrat Eliot Spitzer.
Paterson told a radio interviewer today it's because he's black and there aren't enough black media outlets to counter the white ones. He also suggested the same racist forces will soon take after President Barack Obama.
After a period of high popularity, Paterson has fallen on hard political times in the Empire State, drawing severe criticism even from key fellow Democrats for how he's run state government and handled the state's budget problems and even for the on-again-off-again nomination of Caroline Kennedy to fill Hillary Clinton's vacant Senate seat.
Paterson's approval rating plummeted to 18% at one point, below even Republican President George W. Bush and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but has since crept back up to 30%. A humorous and unscientific online poll with the Daily News on this gubernatorial outburst shows 2% agree with Paterson, 1% is undecided and 97% want him out of office "because he stinks."
"My feeling is it's being orchestrated. It's a game. And people who pay attention know that," Paterson told N.Y. Daily News columnist Errol Lewis today.
According to state Sen. Kevin Parker, a fellow Democrat and African American from Brooklyn: "He's given the media more than enough to feed on with the incompetence shown in his administration."
Paterson said the goal is to force him out of an election campaign next year. Polls have shown that state Atty. Gen. Andrew Cuomo would annihilate Paterson in a primary struggle. On the Republican side, there's always ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
-- Andrew Malcolm
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Photo: Associated Press (Cuomo, left, Paterson, right).
Ye-ah! That must be it. His unpopularity couldn't possibly be tied to... job performance?
Now that he's gone on record as saying this, I suspect his job performce is based upon his numbskullery.
Posted by: Feo Amante | August 21, 2009 at 10:47 PM
"Your comment has been saved. Comments are moderated and will not appear until approved by the author."
More censorship, Malcolm?
Didn't we have enough of that with Gannon and Dana "Wait, Wait Don't Tell Me" about U.S.-Cuban History?
Posted by: Mark | August 21, 2009 at 11:50 PM
Don't take it personal!
Posted by: Mutual Fund | August 22, 2009 at 03:33 AM
Until I read this I planned to vote for him in the Democratic primary and in the general election.
Posted by: William | August 22, 2009 at 04:24 AM
People couldn't possibly dislike him because he is a horrible governor. It MUST be his race.
Posted by: Frank St.Clair | August 22, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Governor Paterson needs to put do some hard soul searching. Blaming other people is taking the easy route.
Posted by: Pierre | August 22, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Partly true, maybe....one will never know really. The governor should not let this interfere with his job. In the end he will be judge on his accomplishments and failures. I'm sure President Obama does not think on this level.
Posted by: runphas7 | August 23, 2009 at 08:38 AM
He is incompetent, so he plays the race card!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | August 24, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Who cares what color you are?
Do your job and the rest will take care of itself!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | August 24, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Politicians who worry so much about race have no business in office!!!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | August 24, 2009 at 09:29 AM
BTW what race are you Gov. Patterson? your incompetence has clouded up everything!
Posted by: steve rodriguez | August 24, 2009 at 09:31 AM
he and professor gates should spend a weekend out at martha's vineyard discussing their victimization...
Posted by: Tara | August 24, 2009 at 12:14 PM