But I digress. The subject is Governor Paterson. Paterson has done much of his negotiating with state employee unions in the news media. Dropping policy announcements like bombs. Making threats one day, then backing off the next. His state worker furlough plan failed when challenged in court (which Paterson and his staff should have anticipated) but still cost state government time and money as managers and administrators prepared for a massive disruption which never occurred. Paterson has been equally smooth on other fronts. For example, he shut down dozens of state parks as a budget cutting measure. A number of the targeted parks are tourism engines in financially strapped rural areas or the only places for outdoor recreation near urban ones. After a public outcry Paterson reopened the parks, covering the cost of operation by dipping into the state's Environmental Protection Fund. Which he could have done from the start. But holding the parks hostage made the dip go down more easily.
Governor Paterson took office with the public strongly behind him. Now most New Yorkers can't wait to see him go. Paterson likes to say he's had to make tough budget cuts and doing so is always unpopular. Some truth there, but the real turn-off was how poorly he handled the process. He's no longer taken seriously, just seriously disliked. As a negotiator, Paterson is petty, bullying, and erratic. As a leader, he's proved incapable of inspiring New Yorkers to pull together in a crisis. And oh yeah-- he's long gone from the governor's race. Andrew Cuomo is the only Dem big dog leftstanding.
Incidentally, if you don't think Cuomo is capable of being a carpet chewer you don't know his history.
King Cuomo, Lazio the Lesser, Paladino For The People. Which will it be? Gee. If it weren't for the Roger Stone connection (that Nixon tattoo spooks me) I'd go for Kristin. Even as a write-in. At least she looks good-- in a pimpette sort of way. And did I mention that she supports gun rights?
Carola Von Hoffmannstahl-Solomonoff
Mondo QT
*Is New York Ready for Carl Paladino?, Robert J. McCarthy and Tom Precious, Buffalo News 04/04/10
**HUD Scandals, Tad DeHaven, Downsizing the Federal Government, Cato Institute
***The Govercutor, Chris Smith, The City Politic, New York Magazine, 05/21/05
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