New Yorkers Respond to Paterson With Mixed Feelings
By Sarah Tung and Holly Gilbert
Additional Reporting by Taj Tsonga
The terms “governor” and “scandal” seem to be increasingly synonymous in the state of New York.
When David A. Paterson stepped in for former Governor Eliot Spitzer, it seemed as though his incumbent term would put an end to gubernatorial scandals; however, Paterson shocked his constituents when he openly admitted to several extramarital affairs after just a week in office.
As more scandals about Paterson emerged, many New Yorkers demanded his resignation. Public opinion, however, remains divided.
According to a poll recently conducted by CBS, 68 percent of people voted that Paterson should tender a resignation. Only 32 percent of people said he should stay in office.
Those who want Paterson out of office cited his questionable actions as a reason for resignation.
“I think he should go,” said Solomon Gbane, a 38-year-old truck driver who moved to the United States from West Africa. “There are too many problems around him. A lot of people are complaining.”
Aaron Weitz, a 52-year-old living on the Upper West Side, said that the recent scandals plague Paterson’s ability to handle a governor’s responsibilities.
“How can we have a state budget in three weeks if we have this going on?” he said.
Ryan Chavez, 47, agreed that the administration has been slowed down by the scandals.
“I think that the governor’s office is paralyzed. They’re too caught up with dealing with PR to deal with government matters,” he said.
New Yorkers who don’t want Paterson to leave his gubernatorial office were hesitant to believe the rumors.
“I don’t know, I think it’s ridiculous. I don’t think he should resign based on the scandals that I’ve heard,” Donna Erlich, 24, said.
Some people believe race could be an additional factor that motivated the demand for Paterson’s resignation.
“I think there is a great deal of racism involved,” Mel London, 86, said. “He hasn’t been proven guilty. Just leave him alone.”
Greg Samuel, 36, does not think Paterson should resign. As a black man from Brooklyn, he recognized that there are very few black politicians in the United States.
“A lot are taking a beating (right now),” he said. “(Black men) set a precedent when Obama took office and we want to keep that spirit alive for (future black politicians).”
Whether New Yorkers believe Paterson should ride out his remaining term as governor or resign, one thing is clear: the issues in New York are not going to fix themselves.
If the current ethics scandal does not affect Paterson’s ability to perform, he should not resign, Samuel said. “If he believes he can still fight for New Yorkers, he should stay. He’s got to get back to work and get back to the issues that we’re facing right now.”
Like a lot of New Yorkers, Darnell Leary, 45, is tired of hearing about their politician’s private matters.
“We got bigger problems than that in the world than wondering what Governor Paterson is doing,” Leary said.
