February 13, 2012 · www.gothamgazette.com

Gotham Gazette
Loading
Recent Posts
NYC Blogs
Click here for a list of NYC blogs
Newsfeeds
Search This Blog

Where's Paterson?
October 1st, 2009

Gov. David Paterson had an interesting start to his day. He helped unveil the portrait of former Gov. George Pataki. Paterson, who insists he is running for the seat he currently holds in 2010, received some kind words from Pataki.

The Daily Politics reports Pataki said New Yorkers should support Paterson “for the next 15 months at least, Gov. Paterson is the leader of this state, the leader of all of us.” Admittedly it’s not the most ringing endorsement.

Pataki dodged questions about whether he will challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. There is a lot of speculation that Pataki will run. But that question still remains overshadowed by questions about Paterson’s commitment to his run for governor.

As Jimmy Vielkind of the Observer elaborated yesterday, Gov. Paterson has not exactly been keeping a busy schedule these past few months. Despite the effect his appointment of a Lieutenant Governor had on the Senate coup and the recent validation of that appointment by the Court of Appeals, Paterson has kept a rather low profile, attending a smattering of events and spending little time in the office.  

“The schedules, as well as conversations with elected figures and former Paterson staffers, make one thing abundantly clear: his tolerance for the exhausting grind of campaign-style politics is limited,” writes Vielkind.

Vielkind goes on to point out the difference between Paterson’s schedule and former Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s. “The contrast is particularly clear when Mr. Paterson is considered next to his predecessor,” writes Vielkind. “A look at Mr. Paterson schedule from August 2008 to the present suggests, for example, that Mr. Paterson rarely takes formal breakfast meetings, and generally arrives at the office or begins his first event around 10 a.m.,” he continues.

Following the hullabaloo over the White House’s suggestion that Paterson should not run for office, many expected Paterson to come out with guns blazing–especially following the Court of Appeals ruling that validated his appointment of Ravitch. Paterson did make an appearance on Meet the Press this weekend, but by many accounts Paterson came across as half-hearted and regretful.
The Times reported that, “The interview was the beginning of what Mr. Paterson’s advisers said would be a week of high visibility.” Paterson has met with business leaders in the last few days in an effort to shore up support from that community, but many find it hard to believe Paterson’s schedule is that of a politician dedicated to a tough political battle.

By David King on October 1, 2009, 2:38 pm
In category: Albany, Eye on Albany | No Comments »

| More

RSS Feed RSS Feed


Leave a Reply


RSS Feed