Legal Commentary

NY Gov. David Paterson Drops Re-Election Bid

By Jeralyn

NY Governor David Paterson has announced he won't run for re-election. It was only a week ago he announced his re-election campaign.

“There are times in politics when you have to know not to strive for service, but to step back, and that moment has come for me,” Mr. Paterson told a room full of reporters in an afternoon press conference. In the most dramatic moment, the governor raised his right hand and offered what he called a “personal oath,”

...“I have never abused my office, not now, not ever,” said Mr. Paterson, his wife, Michelle Paige Paterson, by his side.

There are calls for him to resign now, which mostly seem to be a result of his alleged intervention in a staffer's domestic violence case: [More...]

The woman was twice granted a temporary order of protection against Mr. Johnson, but she complained in court that the State Police had been harassing her to drop the matter. In addition, the governor talked to the woman himself only a day before she was scheduled to appear in court to seek a final order of protection. She failed to show up for that appearance, leading to the dropping of her case. The woman, saying she fears retaliation, has requested that her identity be withheld.

The heir apparent: Andrew Cuomo. Who happens to be the NY Attorney General conducting a criminal investigation into the Paterson allegations.

So, is Paterson being railroaded out of office? Are Democrats just piling on him to enhance Cuomo? And is there any reason for him to step down now, just because he's a lame duck?

Cuomo releaed this statement (via e-mail, no link)

I am sure this is a difficult choice and a sad day for the Governor and his family. It is in the best interests of all New Yorkers that the state government function through this difficult time and address the pressing budgetary problems we face. This is an election year and I will announce my plans at the appropriate time. In the meantime, I will continue to focus on my job as Attorney General and the many important issues we are pursuing.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on February 26, 2010 (boomark / email).