2008 Woodie Awards
In and out: Paterson replaces Spitzer
Lia Eustachewich
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: Features
Monday, March 17 is packed with meaning for those in New York. While a slew of people will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day, Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson will be sworn in as New York's governor at 1 p.m. that day, just an hour after Gov. Eliot Spitzer's resignation becomes official.
Paterson will make state and national history, becoming New York's first black governor (and the nation's fourth), as well as becoming the first legally disabled chief executive in the U.S.
Last week, Paterson voiced a confident promise to New Yorkers, after Spitzer's tumultuous week, which included his shocking link to the Emperor's Club VIP prostitution ring, permanently branding him "Client 9."
"I promised the governor yesterday that I would commit myself to the people of this great state," Paterson said last week in Albany. "That we would have stability and continuity in those challenges that lie ahead. Now we have to get New York back on track."
The former lieutenant governor admitted he felt "guilt" over the circumstances that led him to become New York's first black governor, but said he spoke with Spitzer. "[I] just told him how sorry I was this happened and how much he still inspires me."
In 2006, Paterson was chosen by Spitzer as his running mate, but it was clear even before then that the two men have different personalities. When asked whether or not he patronized prostitutes, Paterson wittily remarked, "Only the lobbyists."
However, wasting no time, Paterson confirmed last Thursday that he would stick to most of Spitzer's priorities, including the proposed budget that aims to close the $4.4 billion gap by finding new means of revenue as well as tighten state spending.
This past weekend, Paterson was busy meeting with agency officials to familiarize himself with the terms and specifics of the budget.
"I kind of feel like the student who's getting ready for the final exam but they didn't attend any classes," Paterson admitted last week in a radio interview.
Paterson will make state and national history, becoming New York's first black governor (and the nation's fourth), as well as becoming the first legally disabled chief executive in the U.S.
Last week, Paterson voiced a confident promise to New Yorkers, after Spitzer's tumultuous week, which included his shocking link to the Emperor's Club VIP prostitution ring, permanently branding him "Client 9."
"I promised the governor yesterday that I would commit myself to the people of this great state," Paterson said last week in Albany. "That we would have stability and continuity in those challenges that lie ahead. Now we have to get New York back on track."
The former lieutenant governor admitted he felt "guilt" over the circumstances that led him to become New York's first black governor, but said he spoke with Spitzer. "[I] just told him how sorry I was this happened and how much he still inspires me."
In 2006, Paterson was chosen by Spitzer as his running mate, but it was clear even before then that the two men have different personalities. When asked whether or not he patronized prostitutes, Paterson wittily remarked, "Only the lobbyists."
However, wasting no time, Paterson confirmed last Thursday that he would stick to most of Spitzer's priorities, including the proposed budget that aims to close the $4.4 billion gap by finding new means of revenue as well as tighten state spending.
This past weekend, Paterson was busy meeting with agency officials to familiarize himself with the terms and specifics of the budget.
"I kind of feel like the student who's getting ready for the final exam but they didn't attend any classes," Paterson admitted last week in a radio interview.
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