Turning scandal into success

The Spitzer scandal is yesterday’s news. Yes, it rocked New Yorkers to the core to learn that their esteemed governor was involved in a prostitution ring, one which forced him to resign and exit the political stage.

Now it’s time for residents of the Empire State to refocus their attention on the newly inaugurated governor, David Paterson, who was sworn into office Monday, March 17, 2008. Paterson stepped into the role from his previous post of lieutenant governor, to which he was elected in 2006. At that time he ran on the Democratic ticket with Eliot Spitzer; the duo won with a very wide margin.

The thought of becoming the state’s 55th governor, however, was not one Paterson had in mind.

"I never expected to have the honor of serving as governor of New York state, but our constitution demands it," he said during his swearing in ceremony.

The message of his speech that day was one lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had to have been pleased to hear — let’s get back to business.

"There is work to be done. There was an oath to be taken, there is trust that needs to be restored, there are issues that need to be addressed," Paterson said at his inauguration.

Absolutely.

Perhaps our new governor will be able to do exactly that. Certainly he appears willing, even excited, to work with both parties to accomplish much in Albany. His first priority is the budget, which he said he wants to put together by month’s end.

It will be a challenge, but one that this obviously intelligent man appears to be up for. Time will tell; the budget deadline is April 1.

Fear not, though, for he’s no newcomer to politics. Paterson was elected to the state Senate in 1985 (to represent his home district of Harlem, as well as East Harlem and the Upper West Side); he was elected senate minority leader in 2002; he’s addressed the Democratic National Convention and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Paterson holds another distinction. He is the state’s first African-American to hold the office of governor. The fact that New York has always been run by white males says little for its acceptance of minorities and women in power positions.

In addition, Paterson is legally blind, making him the first handicapped governor in New York since Franklin D. Roosevelt. To work with such a handicap has no doubt forced Paterson to seek alternative solutions to any stumbling blocks he may have faced over the years, whether that be politically or privately. It makes sense that he would be a good problem solver, as well as someone who is sensitive to the disabled population.

Now there is the issue of Paterson openly announcing that he and his wife have had affairs in the past, for which counseling was sought to work on the marriage. That was a personal matter that they thought best to divulge to the public. It was probably a good move, and hopefully by doing so they will put a clamp on any scandal that sort of information could have led to. It’s also acknowledgement of their being very human beings, ones who make mistakes but then look for ways to amend them.

From all indications it appears that David Paterson is a straightforward, hard-working and thoughtful individual, sensitive to the needs and hardships of his constituency. It was hard losing Spitzer, there’s no doubt about it. Equally true, however, is that Paterson will likely do a very decent, if not better, job filling the ex-governor’s shoes. Let’s hope that he is given the support necessary to do his new job in the best way possible, thereby turning this scandal into a success story.