Governor Paterson under seige

Embattled New York Gov. David Paterson's troubles keep piling up. Calls for his resignation have been getting louder after a story broken by The New York Times implicated Paterson in the use of the State Police to harass a woman who had filed for an order of protection against one of his top aides, David Johnson. The latest news that staff members are reportedly saying Paterson asked them to call the woman that Johnson allegedly beat, means Paterson may have had a more direct involvement in the case. 

Paterson announced last week that he was ending his bid for re-election, just days after kicking off his campaign. While many of his colleagues in government are urging him to step down, Paterson has said he has no plans to leave office.

"Governor Paterson called me and informed me that he would end his campaign for Governor,” said Sen. Dean Skelos (R-RVC) in a written statement. “I believe that he made the right decision. I told him that Senate Republicans were prepared to move forward on a bipartisan basis to address the budget and other pressing matters, and that hopefully the Senate and Assembly Democrats, unlike last year, would do so as well.”

"His last act should be to pass a good, sound budget that reduces costs on both our residents and small businesses,” said Assemblyman Bob Barra (R-Lynbrook). “I think he should go out on a high note if he can."

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

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.

"It has become increasingly clear to me in the last few days that I cannot run for office and try to manage the state's business at the same time," Paterson said, standing with his wife, Michelle, a scene that was eerily reminiscent of the press conference at which Spitzer resigned and Paterson became the governor.

Andrew Cuomo, New York state's attorney general and the man many experts assumed was preparing to challenge Paterson in his own party, issued a conciliatory statement. "I am sure this is a difficult choice and a sad day for the governor and his family," Cuomo said. "It is in the best interests of all New Yorkers that the state government function through this difficult time and address the pressing budgetary problems we face."