Gov. David Paterson blames calls for him to step aside on race

[PocketProtector]

Wow....This is getting more than OLD


Gov. David Paterson blames calls for him to step aside on race

By Kenneth Lovett
Daily News Albany Bureau Chief

Updated Friday, August 21st 2009, 8:44 PM
Hermann for News

New York Governor David Paterson
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Paterson plays race card

The governor says the calls for him to not seek re-election are because he's black and that we are not "post-racial." Do you agree?

Yes - it's still difficult for people of color in politics.

No way, the reason people want him out is because he stinks!


ALBANY - Gov. Paterson blamed a racist media Friday for trying to push him out of next year's election - launching into an angry rant that left even some black Democrats shaking their heads.

"The whole idea is to get me not to run in the primary," Paterson complained on a morning radio show hosted by Daily News columnist Errol Louis.

He suggested that Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, the country's only other African-American governor, also is under fire because of his race.

"We're not in the post-racial period," Paterson said.

"The reality is the next victim on the list - and you can see it coming - is President Barack Obama, who did nothing more than trying to reform a health care system."

Paterson said the campaign against him is being "orchestrated" by reporters who would rather make the news than report it.

But critics said the governor should blame his own blunders.

"He's given the media more than enough to feed on with the incompetence shown in his administration," said state Sen. Kevin Parker (D-Brooklyn), an African-American.

"To quote Michael Jackson, he should start with the man in the mirror," Parker said.

Even state Sen. Bill Perkins (D-Harlem), a black supporter of the governor, urged him to be more like Obama by staying "focused on the message."

Paterson has been the target of Democrats who fear his low approval ratings - 18% at their lowest and about 30% now - will endanger the party next year if he decides to run for his first full term as governor.

Paterson insisted in the interview that he has made tough decisions to deal with the state's ballooning budget deficits while at the same time helping those most in need.

He noted that the state, despite its fiscal crisis, has not had to write IOUs or had its bond ratings drastically reduced, like California, and is not in as bad straits as Pennsylvania, Michigan or Massachusetts.

He seemed to take a shot at Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, a possible primary competitor. Polls show Cuomo would trounce the governor in a match-up.

"If I run in the primary, the same people who are sitting in beach chairs while I'm in the ocean with the sharks will have to come into the ocean - and they will be eaten alive."

Paterson said there would be no shame in running next year - and losing.

"It will be my highest honor to have served as governor of this state, to make the tough decisions," he said.

Later, Paterson looked to downplay his comments, saying, "At no point did I claim that this media piling-on effect was due to race."

"What I did point out was that certain media outlets have engaged in coverage that exploits racial stereotypes," he said.

klovett@nydailynews.com

[G22Dude]

Pathetic charge, but it appeals to a certain segment of the population

[kunsunoke]

Interesting how the race baiting here appears to be occurring between two segments of the Democratic Party of NYS.

Looks like NYS will get another Cuomo.

LOL

[camper]

Wow, in one short article with minimal quotes it is implied that you're racist if you don't support Obama OR the Health Care proposal.

Plus, a Michael jackson quote AND one by Obama.

It's like Christmas

camper

[ChamberedRound]

Patterson is digging his own political grave. IMHO, the day Obama got elected was the day this reasoning, and that shameless tactic, officially went out the window. To use it now is ludicrous.

As McCain said in his concession speech (emphasis by me):

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/us...xt-mccain.html

A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit -- to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now -- (cheers, applause) -- let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth. (Cheers, applause.)

[jahwarrior72]

how did he even realize he was black?






i made a terrible joke. i'm going to hell for that one.

[Conglomeration Al]

It's comments like Patterson's that keep racism alive in the world. Instead of thinking that his own actions as a governor would dictate whether he will be elected again or not, he immediately blames it on what other people may or may not think about him based on the color of his skin?!?!?!

THAT is the real racism right there.

[PocketProtector]

It's comments like Patterson's that keep racism alive in the world. Instead of thinking that his own actions as a governor would dictate whether he will be elected again or not, he immediately blames it on what other people may or may not think about him based on the color of his skin?!?!?!

THAT is the real racism right there.

Racism is a business, it's worked for years, ask Jessee and Al. They got rich off it. So they'll just keep using the same old playbook until it stops working, I guess.

[ChamberedRound]

Racism is a business, it's worked for years, ask Jessee and Al. They got rich off it. So they'll just keep using the same old playbook until it stops working, I guess.

From the article's description of the reaction by the press and others in the audience, it stopped working.

[adymond]

how did he even realize he was black?






i made a terrible joke. i'm going to hell for that one.

I'm joining you because I almost needed a new key board when coffee started coming out of my nose.