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Despite Demands for His Head, Paterson Says He Won't Resign
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 2, 2010
Modified Mar 2, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 2, 2010
Modified Mar 2, 2010
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The drumbeat calling for Governor Paterson to resign is quickening, with Long Island Democrat Craig Johnson calling on Paterson to quit, and the New York branch of the National Organization For Women demanding that he step down. Earlier today State Senator Craig Johnson tweeted, "Worse than Watergate? This time it is the crime AND the coverup." And Baruch College professor Doug Muzzio made this dire prediction:
He's gone within the week. My bet is that his call to Booker had less to do with domestic violence than her knowledge of Paterson's illicit activities. My suggestion is that Paterson begin reading 'Great Political Resignation Speeches.'
But despite all this blood in the water, Paterson is still clinging firmly to the lifeboat, and he's got some support. After spending the day consulting with aides and top Democrats in the Executive Mansion, he answered a reporter's question about whether he would resign with a terse "No." Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and State Senator John L. Sampson met with Paterson, and Silver told reporters as he left that "the topic of resignation did not come up" and declared, "I do not feel that he should resign."
Jay Jacobs, the state Democratic Party chairman, told the Times, "I don’t think it’s necessarily fatal to his governorship. I think it’s a very tough story. I think that it’s got to be assessed. I think that the question he has to address is, are there any other stories coming?" Ha, good question! What seems to be a Russian nesting doll of damaging Times articles continues to get worse, with today's installment alleging that the Governor personally ordered two state employees to pressure a woman seeking an order of protection against his top aide. Jacobs also told the press Paterson is "sober," which is pretty impressive under the circumstances.
Tagged
domestic violence
governor paterson
scandal
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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