Who would have thought Yankees tickets to the World Series would bring down a governor? Then again who would have thought a governor who vowed to fight on would end his campaign six days after starting it. I guess it's true what they say: in New York anything can happen.
It's not the tickets per se that have caused Governor David Paterson the problem. We all assume public officials get free tickets to events. That's not necessarily unethical or illegal. But, the allegation here is the governor sought these free tickets. Then he may have back dated a check to make it appear he intended to pay for them. He was covering his tracks. The State Commission on Public Integrity says he falsely testified that he always planned to pay for the tickets.
Senator John Defrancisco said tonight Paterson knows what happened. If he's telling the truth that he should remain as governor. If he knows he's not telling the truth he needs to quit.
Political blood is in the water. Each day we wonder what will be the next allegation. What will be the next revelation of impropriety? New Yorkers deserve better.
A new poll out today shows 61% of New Yorkers prefer Paterson finish the year. The answer seems partly motivated by a fear of who else would fill the vacuum. One e-mailer tonight pointed out the importance of closely examining the lieutenant governor choice in the upcoming race.
Last Thursday night I wrote this about Paterson ending his campaign. "He claimed today he can now focus on governing New York. Governing without political power is difficult enough in any state, but in New York it's impossible. It makes you wonder whether Michelle Paterson could be standing there for another announcement sometime during the remaining ten months of the governor's term."
Giving him ten months may have been too generous. The odds makers are more likely to measure Paterson's time in weeks or maybe even days.
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