There is a strong possible historical significance surrounding the scandal with current New York Governor Eliot Spitzer who had been connected to a high-priced and high-profile prostitution ring. While Spitzer apologized for his conduct, he did not mention anything about resigning from office.
It is unknown whether or not Spitzer will resign from office because of the scandal. In case Spitzer does resign, then it would be a historical moment as Lt. Gov. David Paterson will automatically be governor of New York.
However, Paterson did not comment on the scandal.
Paterson is currently 53 years old and is a native of Harlem, New York. If this is the case, then Paterson will be the third black United States governor since the Reconstruction after the United States Civil War. He will also be New York’s first black governor.
If it is the case, Paterson will join current Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and former Virginia Governor L. Douglas Wilder.
In a sense, the color barrier in governorships is being shattered. For example, Bobby Jindal is the first Indian-American governor in the United States let alone the state of Louisiana.
David Paterson is well liked and respected amongst Democrats and Republicans. In relation, Bobby Jindal is well liked and respected amongst Republicans and Democrats. In the case of Paterson, has a good relationship with Joseph Bruno, the Republican Majority Leader. Bruno is the chief adversary of Spitzer.
Also, Paterson is mostly blind. The blindness is the result of an infection that damaged his optic nerve. Regardless, Paterson neither uses a guide dog or a walking stick.
However, Paterson’s physical near-sightedness has not been cited as a problem. Despite being almost completely blind, Paterson has been deemed capable of doing the job according to former NYC Mayor Edward Koch.
“If he becomes governor, he can move forward with what he wants to do as governor and start to set a tone,” according to Lee Miringoff, who is part of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.
However, nothing is concrete yet. While Spitzer has given his apology, he has not given any indication that he will resign from office. If Spitzer resigns, Paterson will be governor until the end of 2010.
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