Local officials react to Paterson drama

Embattled New York Gov. David Paterson announced last week that he was ending his bid for re-election, just days after kicking off his campaign. While many of his colleagues in government are urging him to step down, Paterson said he has no plans to leave office.
   
Locally, several legislative leaders weighed in on Paterson’s decision not to vie for the governorship in 2010, with several saying he should step down
altogether.
   
State Sen. Kemp Hannon said he believed Paterson made the right choice.
   
“His ability to govern is totally impeded,” Hannon said. “New York State is in the most difficult financial situation in its history; solid leadership is needed immediately to control spending.”
   
On the other side of the aisle, Elmont State Sen. Craig Johnson, a Democrat whose district includes a portion of Westbury, said he believed Paterson’s ability to govern is compromised, and not only should he not run, but he should think about stepping down.
   
“In deciding not to seek a full term, Governor Paterson made a responsible decision in the wake of the disturbing scandal that has consumed his office,” Johnson said. “Prior to these most recent allegations of domestic violence and abuse of power, I was the first member of the Long Island delegation to call for Governor Paterson to not run this November. I was concerned that politics were distracting him from the business of running the state. Now, the Governor must consider whether he can be an effective leader for New York during these difficult times.”
   
Paterson, who assumed the governorship after the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, has had an extremely contentious tenure in office, often fighting off criticism from within his own party. His administration has been criticized for its sometimes draconian efforts to reduce the state’s growing budget deficit, and even his personal life has come under intense scrutiny.