In the News
Here are two stories from the Democrat and Chronicle. One is a Speak Out piece by Chris Hilderbrant, and the other is about reactions to Gov. Paterson, with a quote from me.
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Judge Paterson only on his abilities
David Paterson will be the first African-American governor of our state and the first blind governor in our nation’s history.
Some people already are questioning his ability to be governor simply because he has a disability. Paterson has lived a life of challenge and achievement. He has demonstrated that he can handle a demanding schedule, and we can expect that he will continue to do so. Whether or not he will be a good governor has nothing to do with his ability to see.
Some in the disability community have assumed that disability issues now will be addressed at the highest levels of state government. While Paterson as a state lawmaker was a strong advocate for the voting rights of people with disabilities, he never led on other crucial disability issues.
In the days ahead, he will have an incredibly challenging job. When he does well, he deserves our support. When his ideas are not the best, he should be held accountable. This is what we should expect of all our leaders, whether or not they have a disability.
Advocates for people with disabilities hope to work closely with Paterson to address critical disability issues. People with disabilities face barriers in housing, transportation, voting and employment. Seniors and people with disabilities are forced into nursing facilities and other institutions because they can’t get community-based services. We hope Paterson will work with the disability community to address these issues and make New York a state where people with disabilities have equal opportunity, for success or failure, based not on their disability, but on their abilities and accomplishments.
Paterson’s rise to the highest position in New York’s government demonstrates what can be achieved by a person with a disability, given the needed supports and accommodations. We hope his leadership will create a New York where having elected officials who have significant disabilities is the norm and no longer newsworthy.
While Paterson’s disability will make his transition to the governorship unique and historic, he will have to perform. He will be lauded or criticized depending on his actions. That’s all any of us can ask for.
Hilderbrant is director of advocacy, Center for Disability Rights.
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Paterson to take the lead
Republicans in the state Senate expressed reservations Wednesday about the next governor, David Paterson, saying he is far more liberal than Eliot Spitzer and might not be as attuned to the needs of upstate as his predecessor.
But Democrats defended Paterson as someone uniquely qualified to heal the wounds of a state government that has been bitterly divided along partisan lines.
“I like him as a person, but on most issues he is way to the left of Eliot Spitzer,” said Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette, Seneca County.
Paterson, 53, is to assume the governor’s office when Spitzer’s resignation takes effect on Monday. Spitzer said he is delaying surrendering his office at the request of Paterson, who will use the intervening time to prepare for his new position.
Paterson was a state senator from Harlem for more than 20 years, following in the footsteps of his father, Basil Paterson, who also served as secretary of state.
David Paterson ousted Martin Connor of Brooklyn to become the Senate minority leader in 2003. He was elected lieutenant governor in 2006, becoming the highest-ranking black elected official in the state.
Republicans and Democrats both said he is a far more agreeable figure than Spitzer. And Sen. Dale Volker, R-Depew, Erie County, who has known Paterson for more than 30 years, called him “one of the brightest people I have ever met.”
“All that aside, he is a very liberal person,” Volker said, adding that he disagrees with Paterson on most criminal justice issues and considers him fiscally liberal. “You have to remember, he was born and brought up in Manhattan, and you don’t expect those kind of people to love western New York — except as it benefits the rest of the state.”
On Monday, Paterson will become the first black governor of New York, the fourth in the nation, and the first legally blind governor in the history of the United States. In that, his ascension to the governor’s office has a significance beyond the political arena.
Anita Cameron of Rochester, an African American who is legally blind, said she was “proud and hopeful” about the prospect of Paterson’s governorship.
“Personally, it’s kind of unfortunate he had to get in this way,” said Cameron, a systems advocate at the Center for Disability Rights. “I’m excited that a person with a disability is now our governor. I certainly don’t think it will keep him from doing his job.”
A collaborative style
Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy said he expects that Paterson will succeed in minimizing the partisan divisions in Albany. As for upstate, he said, Paterson called him Tuesday and promised to visit Rochester as soon as possible. “When you speak with him once, you get a sense of the depth of the man,” Duffy said, calling Paterson a “quiet leader.” “He could truly become the perfect person to step in at this time.”
Nozzolio, however, is concerned about Paterson’s focus. “He has represented New York City. He is focused on New York City,” he said.
The lieutenant governor was not available for comment. He issued a statement saying he was saddened by Spitzer’s problems and said he would pray for the governor and his family. He is scheduled to speak to the media today.
The Rev. Marlowe Washington, pastor of Baber A.M.E. Church in Rochester, knows Paterson from the 10 years Washington spent in Harlem during the late 1980s and 1990s.
Washington said he lived near Paterson, who was then a state senator, and was friends with Paterson’s chief of staff.
“He’s a reconciler,” Washington said. “He can bring people to the table. He loves to crack jokes.”
Paterson had a cordial relationship with Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, even when he was minority leader and working to replace Bruno by defeating enough Republicans to take away their majority in the chamber.
Planning for November
That fits with the person known to Michael Keane, Duffy’s deputy communications director, who previously worked for Connor.
“(Paterson) was universally respected by staff,” said Keane, who spent 20 years in Albany. “He had a unique way of treating staff with respect. That’s the way he operates. He treats people with the respect they deserve.”
Democrats hope Paterson’s affable personality connects with New Yorkers, many of whom are just learning about him. They also hope that the party will not be hurt by the downfall of Spitzer, who had symbolized reform and integrity in state politics and had become one of their chief fundraisers.
The November election is expected to be pivotal for Democrats, who are seeking control of the state Senate and need two seats to capture the majority. They picked up three while Paterson was the minority leader.
Nozzolio, who is facing a challenge from Democrat Paloma Capanna, said he was not concerned with partisan political matters right now.
“I’m too busy working on a state budget,” Nozzolio said. “I’m too busy to consider political situations at this point.”
Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, D-Irondequoit, who is also the chairman of the Monroe County Democratic Committee, said he doubts that the scandal will affect the fall elections.
“It may have a positive impact,” Morelle said, “because David will begin to shine as governor.”
BDSHARP@DemocratandChronicle.com
JTERRERI@DemocratandChronicle.com
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Here is a link to a piece by WHAM-Ch. 13 about Gov. Patterson, including thoughts from Chris Hilderbrant and me. Scrool down and click on the link that says About Lt. Governor David Paterson.
March 14th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Hilderbrant makes a good argument– focus on the man as an elected official and let’s not get all mush, gushy about disability. When the novelty wears off– and it will– he is going to be THAT GUY in Albany that either brings jobs, lowers taxes, or messes up the Thruway, Medicaid, etc. ,etc. etc. It will be about the issues of running the government of the State of New York.
And then, it will be as it should– person first, disability second.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Arlene, you’re right! Let’s hope that when the honeymoon period is over, and people start complaining about how he runs the state, that they’ll say that he is too liberal, or any other complaint, and not try to tie it in with his disability.