Gov. Paterson declares he has 'open mind' on quitting race as allies continue to abandon him
BY Glenn Blain, Elizabeth Benjamin and Kenneth Lovett In Albany and Celeste Katz, Rocco Parascandola and Helen Kennedy
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Friday, February 26th 2010
nydailynews.com
His political career imploding spectacularly around him, Gov. Paterson insisted Thursday night that he's still running, but for the first time said he'll consider calls to step aside.
Allies abandoned him as the scandal over his involvement in domestic abuse allegations against a top aide also sucked in the head of Paterson's security detail: State Police Maj. Charles Day.
Paterson's criminal justice czar also abruptly quit, enraged by her boss, and a host of Democrats declared that, at the very least, his hopes for election are shot.
At worst, they said, he could be forced to resign, be impeached, or face criminal charges.
"I am not suspending my campaign, but I am talking to a number of elected officials around the state," he said. "I'm obviously listening to them."
"I've got an open mind about this thing. I want the Democrats to win in November," he said. "I will weigh what they have to say - but right now I am a candidate for governor."
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester) was among several high profile Dems who said his political future was in immediate jeopardy.
"These very serious allegations must be fully and swiftly investigated, and if they are true, the governor should no longer be in office," she said. "The political reality is the governor cannot be an effective candidate or official for New York."
Fright night
The scandal erupted Wednesday night when The New York Times revealed that Paterson and state police officials contacted Sherr-una Booker, who had accused David Johnson, a top aide to the governor, of brutally attacking her on Halloween.
After Paterson spoke to Booker, she did not show up for a Feb. 8 court hearing against Johnson and the charges were dismissed.
Team Paterson said Booker initiated the contact. But her lawyer, Lawrence Saftler, said she called only after being told to by a member of Paterson's staff.
Day, who heads Paterson's security detail also had contact with the woman, The Times reported last night.
Paterson talked to Booker for a minute, and asked what he could do to help, both sides agreed.
The governor refused to discuss specifics of the Johnson case, citing an investigation he requested into the matter by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
In the fallout came a dizzying series of events yesterday:
- Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Denise O'Donnell resigned in protest of the state police's role in the sordid matter.
- Paterson's top black allies arranged to meet in Harlem tomorrow to discuss ways to convince him to leave the race. Paterson is scheduled to hold a big rally in Harlem Sunday
- Rep. Steve Israel called the governor personally asking that he not seek election this fall.
- Several Dems, including Sen. Ruth Hassell Thompson (D-Westchester) warned that the allegations, if true, are an impeachable offense. "Absolutely, I don't think you have to ask that question," she said.
- Several lawmakers called on Paterson to cede responsibility of the budget negotiations to Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch.
- Calls also went up for the immediate resignation of State Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt.
- Cuomo, who was given subpoena power by the governor, ordered state police to stop its own internal probe that Paterson had also requested into the scandal.
- Steven Reed, a spokesman for the Bronx district attorney's office, said his office is also looking into the matter.
Paterson started the day with a subdued radio appearance on WOR-AM, where he ducked most questions about the scandal.
He couldn't hide from the exploding firestorm, starting with O'Donnell's abrupt resignation. She said it was "unacceptable" that the governor and members of the state police acknowledged direct contact with the woman.
A wide array of top Democrats demanded answers about Paterson's actions and those of the troopers protecting him.
One of the state's most prominent black Democratic activists called on Paterson to do the "honorable thing" and step down like his predecessor Eliot Spitzer did amid a hooker scandal.
"He has embarrassed my community and that's all he has done," the angry Dem said.
"These are very serious allegations that demand a prompt, aggressive and thorough investigation," said Sen. Chuck Schumer.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said Cuomo's probe "must address at whose direction and with whose knowledge members of the governor's security detail were acting when they contacted the victim."
Sen. Bill Perkins, who succeeded Paterson in the Senate, said the allegations were so serious they "are problems in terms of his ability to govern much less also run for re-election."
As his political world crumbled around him, Paterson kept close counsel - and had yet to speak with Ravitch.
"I have not talked to him," Ravitch told The News. "It's a difficult situation. I feel sad because I'm very fond of David Paterson."
Paterson allies ceased talking about his political survival, and instead focused on preserving credibility for his post-political life.
"We're taking it as a given that he has no chance in hell at getting elected to anything. Now he's just damaging himself beyond a comeback, so it's time to get him to wake up to see that this can't go on," one said.
Even some of Paterson's closest supporters yesterday were at a loss. State Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs, who was selected by Paterson, called the allegations "obviously serious." He was set to meet with the governor to discuss how to move forward.
A source close to Jacobs said he planned to talk to the governor about the "practical and political realities." He said Jacobs "would like to know the governor's direction within the next few days.
Veteran Democratic consultant Hank Sheinkopf questioned how the already cash-strapped Paterson can expect anyone to donate to his campaign while he's under a cloud of controversy.
Even New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan weighed in.
"I hate to see him going through this. He has been a gentleman. I do believe his heart is in the right place," he told NY1. |
