Is Gov. Paterson actually a great governor?
After my interview on Friday with Gov. David Paterson I came away with the impression of a guy convinced that he's firmly on track.
In an economy where a majority of American states facing horrific deficits, New York is no different.
But Paterson is convinced that our situation is -- so far -- much healthier than states like California and Michigan.
And he thinks his unpopular belt-tightening measures deserve a big chunk of the credit.
I think when people see that I balanced two budgets on time in the middle of a recession, they'll be a little surprised...and I had the most difficult budgets of any of the previous governors. Our credit rating is a strong as any other state's in the country.But Paterson also acknowledged that voters don't seem particularly charmed by those sorts of accomplishments.
I think we're in an angry time. Every incumbent had problems in elections two weeks ago because of the recession. But this next election is a year away.So what do you think? Is Paterson misunderstood? Underappreciated? In a town as dysfunctional as Albany, could anyone else do better?
In the same way that I think people understand the financial crisis better this year than they did last year, I think they'll understand the government crisis better.
Comment away below...
posted by Brian Mann @ 11/16/2009 06:58:00 AM
10 Comments
10 Comments:
I think the fact that Paterson is so despised by the big spenders in Albany is a sign he's the best governor we've had in awhile.
Gov. Paterson is the only adult in Albany, beyond any question. Everyone else is saying no no no, but not offering anything to say yes to.
I'm quite to the left but there needs to be fiscal responsibility if we don't want the entire social safety net to completely collapse. Better a planned shrinking that we can control in an orderly fashion than a complete disintegration.
Legislators blast him publicly but I think most are privately glad he's in office. Basically, he's saying and trying to do what they all know needs to be said and done but legislators are happy that he, not they, is the lightning rod that the special interests are targeting their fury.
Right now, he's only a good governor. If he can convince the clueless legislators to actually act on what we all know needs to be done, THEN he will be a great governor.
He has a political handicap in that he got the job by default after Spitzer imploded. Very few people pay much attention, if any, to who is on the Lt. Gov. half of the ticket especially when the candidate is flashy. Consequently he came into office with people saying "Who?". Add to that that he isn't charismatic, or an inspiring speaker or that he can't seem to herd the cats we call a legislature. He may be a practical man, a good administrator, etc. but he lacks star power and voters like star power. If the Democrats run him for re-election, Rudy Guilani will be the next governor.
At least he recognized the 600 pound gorilla and wasn't afraid to say something. Spitzer never did, neither did Pataki or Cuomo before him. In fact, thinking back I can't recall NY having a really good Governor.
Pattersons goal should be to cut spending since tax collections are falling. One time shots like the proposed new license plates won;t fix it. But, at least he's trying.
No, he's not a great Governor, but I'd sooner have him there than Cuomo Jr or Sr.
I have to disagree with the general sentiment here. See this: http://bit.ly/1UJT1r
Patterson claims he had to 'deal' with a $30 billion deficit, he did nothing more than continue the accounting tricks state pols have done for years.
Paterson is one of the few adults that has been in Albany for yeats. Brian clearly didn't like his vocabulary- callow and like a child- the time is long past for being semantically pure. NY is burning, and bloated public servants and agencies are protecting themselves. We need to roll back services. All the anthopological studies, the emeral ash borer, the white nose bats- let the people who are concerned about them pay for the science. Every historical marker, every educational initiative that comes along, can't be supported by the public. if you believe in it, support it,- but keep the taxes for essential (old fashioned definition of essential, not the new one) services. let the school buses have rust on them- the state vans can be old. I work at a privat company- where everything is used as long and as economically as possible. New York State can't be everything to every special interest group. Let communitiesa nd individuals ante up for what they want.
If Paterson doesn't run, I might have do a write-in for him.
Yes, he is the only adult in Albany.
His problem is he is trying to go against everyone who insists on more from government but wants to pay less for the more they want.
I would have an even harder time running for anything.
Slash all salaries for anyone working for the government at any level who makes more than $100,000.
If they have a problem, tell them Wal Mart is hiring.
Paterson is a good governor. Glen Falls paper had a great editorial a few Sundays asking why this guy is out here all by himself, working on these issues and the people and politicians are largely silent. I admire his grasp of reality and his acceptance that he has be the governor he has to be in this situation and not the governor he might have liked to have been.
I don't agree with Brian often but I do agree this time. Gov. Paterson is dealing with the real world while the legislature has been dysfunctional at best. Cuomo has just been up on a soapbox grandstanding trying to make himself look good to a public that has a few hairbrains do their thinking for them.
From day one Gov. Paterson has sounded the warning and all that the legislature has done is protect their special interests. It is time for changes and hopefully people will grow some smarts and support budget cuts, help decide what can be cut and don't just pass on the bills to local governments.
David Paterson reminds me, at times, of Abe Beame who was the mayor of New York City in the 1970's when they were going through a severe fiscal crisis. Everyone hated Abe too, but he was what the City needed at the time. I suspect that David Paterson is just the right person for New York State at this time. I, for one, am very impressed with him.
Post a Comment
<< Home