SYRACUSE -- Some prominent Democrats had been calling for Paterson to abandon his bid for election since he was implicated in an alleged plot to protect his close aide from a domestic abuse charge.
Because the Attorney General is apparently investigating the allegation, Democratic State Senator David Valesky wants the Governor to not only end his campaign, but resign altogether. Valesky says Lieutenant Governor Richard Ravitch should take over day to day operations and budget talks with the legislature. "We have a budget that's due a week from Monday on April 1st." Valesky explained, "extremely difficult decisions we have to make and a Governor who is as politically weak as he obviously is right now, I believe...does not have the leadership ability to continue and ultimately close the budget process."
Republican State Senator John DeFrancisco has known Paterson for 16 years. DeFrancisco says Paterson lost his ability to govern. "My God, when he became Governor it was almost as if it was a change in personality. It seemed he just couldn't govern."
Friday afternoon Democratic Congressman Dan Maffei issued a statement, saying the "Governor's decision today puts the best interests of the state above his political ambitions."
Democratic Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner issued a statement Friday as well, "It is extremely disappointing that at a time when New York State needs leadership, Gov. Paterson and his staff have acted in ways that have become distractions from the real challenges we face and from the decisions we need to make financially in both state and municipal governments. I hope that the Governor's decision is the beginning of a path to new leadership in Albany that understands the needs of municipalities like Syracuse and someone who puts meeting those needs at the forefront of his or her everyday decision-making."
