
Ah, the beginning of yet another brand new workweek! Many New Yorkers are waiting for the fate of Governor David Paterson to be sealed. WCBS-TV points out that "Legal experts said the next few days and weeks could be the most dangerous yet for the embattled administration of Gov. David Paterson." Some think Richard Ravitch (the appointed Lt. Gov.) should be promoted. Ravitch, who is 76, would become New York's third governor since 2007. Others don't think that's such a good idea at all... like this opinionated soul who blogs:
Ravitch’s only hope for lasting eight months as a never-elected governor might be that our state legislators would be scrambling to salvage their re-election chances, by ducking responsibility for the tough budget decisions that any governor will have to make this year.The blogger goes on to suggest that Ravitch would be well-advised to step down as well, should Paterson leave his appointed post.
One can anticipate their excuses: “Don’t blame us for Gov. Ravitch using his emergency budgetary powers to overrule us and close all those state parks — we never endorsed his appointment in the first place!”
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Friday secretly met with Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch to talk about the budget and how to move forward should Gov. Paterson leave office... [NY1]
It was Ravitch who called the meeting, which was part "meet and greet" and part political discussion, at the Water Club in Manhattan, sources told the Daily News.
Muckety, in "Richard Ravitch: Last adult in Albany?" points out : At the least, some have suggested that Paterson let Ravitch, an enrolled Democrat who enjoys good relations with members of both parties, assume the governor’s role in state budget negotiations. BUT Ravitch admits he hasn't accomplished "a thing" since ascending to his post. Could manning the budget negotiations, either as Lt. Gov or Gov change that? And what might Governor Ravitch look like?
Former Governor Mario Cuomo said Friday that he wants Governor Paterson to finish his term, but "the betting is against him."
One stunned Democrat operative questioned the appropriateness of Cuomo meeting Ravitch while the attorney general is probing Ravitch's boss.
The New York Daily News took an online poll which yielded the following results:
No, he should stay on. There's been no wrongdoing on his part. 23%
Undecided 5%
Tags: Governor David Paterson, NY Politics
