Gov. Paterson appeared in Harlem yesterday, the place he calls home with his wife and the state senate district (30th) he represented before becoming Lt. Governor under Eliot Spitzer. The Governor was joined by a host of politicians--including former Mayor Ed Koch, City Comptroller William Thompson, Nassau County Exec. Thomas Suozzi, and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion--at Al Sharpton's National Action Network's meeting hall. His reception was very warm. In an effort to quiet an enthusiastic crowd chanting his name, Paterson said from the podium, "Stop, please. This is the sort of thing that makes people like us feel like we're real important."
Having entered office via a scandalous meltdown by Gov. Spitzer regarding his dealings with prostitutes, one would think there would be a honeymoon period for his replacement. Gov. Paterson's first week, however was filled with more tawdriness and tales of extramarital dalliances and the possible misuse of campaign funds. Perhaps that's why Paterson retreated to a hometown audience he knew would be friendly. The theme of the day was getting over talk of personal indiscretions, and getting back to the business of running New York State.
