Paterson has to go…Now! by Steve Adubato, Ph.D. CBS 2 Political Analyst

New York Governor David Paterson absolutely has to go.  This is not a debatable point.  His speech last week in which he announced that he would not run for re-election isn’t nearly enough.  Paterson is not running for re-election because he has absolutely no support from Democrats.  He would get crushed in a primary against Andrew Cuomo.  There are still 10 months left in Paterson’s term, but he is in no position to lead.  His credibility is shot and as for his putting up his right hand and announcing last Friday, “I give you this personal oath; I have never abused my office, not now, not ever” is anything but reassuring. 

Even before the bombshell announcement that not only did the head of the New York State Police, Superintendent Harry Corbitt, communicate directly with Sherr-una Booker, (who has accused Paterson’s top aide, David Johnson, of domestic violence) but it seems the governor talked to Booker as well.  Talk about timing.  Paterson spoke to Booker on the day before she was supposed to go to court to reinforce a restraining order against Johnson, who at 6’ 7” is one of the governor’s closest advisors, not to mention a physically imposing figure.  We are talking about a guy who allegedly ripped off Booker’s clothes, threw her up against a mirror and tore the phones out of the wall so she couldn’t call for help.  The 911 calls make it clear how afraid she was for her life.

So, why exactly are David Paterson and the head of the state police calling Booker?  It’s not their case, it is the NYPD’s.  When Superintendent Corbitt was asked why he spoke to her, he said it was to give her “options.”  Options?  That’s like saying he was going to make her an offer she couldn’t refuse.  He had no business calling her and neither did the governor.  Clearly, the intent was to send a chilling message to Booker and get her not to go to court to testify and continue the case against Johnson, which would be embarrassing to an already embarrassed David Paterson. 

Booker didn’t show up for court the next day, but the story didn’t go away.  The New York Times broke it, so it was one last nail in David Paterson’s political coffin.  But, here is the problem.  A governor who was so embattled, so weakened, so lacking in credibility, cannot lead.  A budget needs to be struck. The business of New York State must move forward.  There is an $8 billion budget deficit and the state faces fiscal chaos.  David Paterson has no clout.  People don’t listen to him.  He can’t move the legislature.  That’s why it is time for him to step down as governor and time for Lieutenant Governor Dick Ravitch to take over immediately.  David Paterson has one last chance to salvage a tiny shred of his dignity.  That’s by stepping down and leaving the public arena.