Paterson drops out of ‘10 race

New York State Governor David Paterson announced his formal withdrawal from the 2010 governor's electoral race. His decision came less than a week after he had originally declared that he was running for re-election but only for half a term. Now his administration is in the midst of a scandal that has drastically damaged his reputation.
  
The Democratic Party is urging Gov. Paterson to turn over most of his duties to lieutenant governor Richard Ravitch. Ravitch, who was appointed by Gov. Paterson, used to be Chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). Ravitch has also been working on a fiscal plan to address New York's looming $8 billion deficit.

"The entire scandal with Paterson is so disappointing. First Spitzer, now Paterson. What is wrong with this state?" sophomore Daniel Rahn said. 

Two days before Gov. Paterson's formal withdrawal, The New York Times broke a story that claims Gov. Paterson allegedly intervened in a court case on the behalf of one of his top aides, David W. Johnson.

Johnson was alleged to have an order of protection issued against him by a female companion. The companion allegedly claimed that Johnson assaulted her on Halloween.

The companion had allegedly already been granted two orders of protection, but was seeking a final order of protection from Johnson. The companion allegedly stated that she had been harassed by state police over the matter.

The day before she was to appear in court, Gov. Paterson allegedly called the companion himself. The companion did not appear in court the next day. The New York Times reports that the companion fears retribution and has asked her identity be kept anonymous.

Gov. Paterson denies that he interfered in any form with the court case concerning Johnson. In a press conference, Gov. Paterson told reporters that, "I have never abused my office, not now, not ever." He added that it was a "personal oath."      

When the story came to light, there was a definitive shift in the tone towards Gov. Paterson's campaign. His withdrawal was expected after it was clear that he had lost faith from many of his supporters.  

Democrat New York Assemblyman Daniel J. O’Donnell withdrew his support of Gov. Paterson and told The New York Times, “It really would be unfair to people who have been loyal to the governor to put them in a position like that. It was over.”       

There have even been numerous calls demanding Gov. Paterson's resignation, particularly by members of the New York Legislature. Gov. Paterson however is adamant that he will finish out the rest of his term.

In his withdrawal news conference, he declared, "There are 308 days left in my term. I will serve every one of them fighting for the people of the State of New York.”    

Gov. Paterson has had a rough run as governor of New York. He became governor after his predecessor, former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, had to resign due to a prostitution scandal. Many were skeptical that Gov. Paterson could handle the rigors of the demanding governorship.

Gov. Paterson had shown promise as a minority leader but as Lieutenant Gov. Paterson failed to impress. Gov. Paterson himself has been known to say that, “he never asked to be governor."     

Gov. Paterson's first major act as governor was to re-appoint the senate seat that Hillary Clinton left. This was a highly publicized appointment that was flummoxed. The entire process became a national embarrassment for the state.

His deficit reduction plans were also criticized after it revealed large cuts to education and health care.

The Democratic Party has expressed a tone that suggest it thinks Gov. Paterson's run as governor has hurt the party's image in the state of New York. This was especially apparent after two Democratic state senators defected from the party, Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens.

The matter was resolved but the result was a 31 to 31 party ratio, a political and legislative standoff. The Democratic Party and the Obama Administration was displeased. In September, the Obama Administration suggested that Gov. Paterson place a bid in the electoral race.

Gov. Paterson's administration still faces another scandal along with the Johnson intervention scandal.

On March 3, the Commission on Public Integrity launched an investigation to determine if Paterson violated any ethics laws when he accepted free tickets to the 2009 World Series. Gov. Paterson claims, under oath, that he had every intention of paying for the tickets.

Both the aide intervention and ethics investigation are being lead by State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. It is speculated that Cuomo has ambitions to run for governor.