Paterson to Drop Out of Governor Race

[Number23]

"Paterson to Drop Out of Governor Race"

Gov. David A. Paterson, his administration caught up in a whirlwind of allegations about its intervention in a domestic violence episode involving a top aide, is set to announce that he is suspending his election campaign and will not run in November, according to a person told about the plans.

Mr. Paterson is expected to make the announcement Friday afternoon. It would end his campaign less than a week after it officially began, with an angry speech at Hofstra University on Long Island.

...Still, as recently as Thursday evening, Mr. Paterson — who was elected lieutenant governor in November 2006 and became governor in March 2008 after Eliot Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal — had said he would stay in the race.

Not surprising but damn. Paterson has been disappointing. I once said that if Newt Gingrich could have his political career bounce back, I don't see why Paterson can't too but now I'm starting to wonder.

And in other news:

"Rangel Blamed for Ethics Offense"

The House ethics committee has found Ways and Means Chairman Charles Rangel, a New York Democrat, violated House rules by failing to properly disclose financial details of trips to the Caribbean, senior congressional officials said Thursday.

After several months of investigation, the ethics panel determined Mr. Rangel didn't inform the ethics committee of the corporate source of funds for trips that took place in 2007 and 2008. The panel determined his staff knew the trips were paid for by corporations, and found that Mr. Rangel—who says he didn't know—should still be held accountable, officials said.

What the HELL is going on in NY??!

[Raineyb]

1. New York is a hot mess.

Has been for years. Frankly sometimes I think it's designed NOT to get anything done. We did go about 2 decades with the budget not being completed on time.

[Number23]

2. Well then Spitzer and Paterson should have fit right in!

Paterson slid so far down so fast it was scary. He seemed very ineffective at gathering a consensus around him and getting stuff done. Plus he pissed off the Kennedys with the whole Caroline running for the Senate situation. It's almost as if he WANTED to fail.

[Raineyb]

3. To be honest, I would have preferred if Spitzer hadn't stepped down.

But in hindsight it seems like an even dumber idea than when he had stepped down.