Local politicians react to Paterson's decision

New York Gov. David Paterson's decision to end his bid for re-election is getting a mixed reaction from local politicians. The embattled governor announced last week that he was dropping out of the race, just days after kicking off his campaign.

State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg (D-Long Beach), who has worked with Paterson for over 20 years, said the governor was never able to achieve the bipartisan support he needed to lead effectively -— especially considering the tumultuous political and economic climate. "He's a good human being, he was just at the wrong place at the wrong time," Weisenberg said. Nassau County Legislator Denise Ford (D-Long Beach) said the governor made the right choice. "I know he stepped into a tough job, and things being as they are, I think for the benefit of his party, it was good he stepped down," she said. Ford believes state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is the next logical choice for the job should he decide to run. Nassau County Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) said he thought Paterson had made some headway in the past few months, but overall, said that the governor has not been an effective leader. "Politically, he didn't seem to have any legs," Kopel said, adding that he is hoping for a good Republican administration the next time around.

Paterson, who assumed the governorship after the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, has had a 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.

While Paterson was facing a series of mounting challenges to his re-election, the final straw seemed to have been a story broken by The New York Times implicating Paterson in the use of the State Police to harass a woman who had filed for an order of protection against one of his closest advisors.

Paterson did not single out any one factor in the press conference at which he canceled his campaign, saying only that a re-election effort would hamper his ability to bring the state back to fiscal health.