A 37 percent approval rating seemed too tall of a task for Gov. David Paterson to overcome in his desire for re-election next November.
Last Friday, Paterson announced he is suspending his campaign and dropping out of the election race as a fury of allegations surrounding his administration seems to have further harmed his chances of re-election.
Reportedly, Paterson’s administration has come under fire due to allegations regarding a domestic violence case involving top aide David Johnson.
According to an article published in the New York Times Feb. 26, a companion of Johnson accused him of “brutally assaulting her.” While the woman received a temporary order of protection against Johnson, she said state police were pressing her to drop the case.
In addition, on Feb. 7, a night before the women’s final court hearing about a final protective order, the governor himself called the woman, a move top domestic-violence experts and advocates said was unacceptable, according to the article.
The next day, the woman failed to show up for her court date and the judge dropped the case.
Harvey Schantz, political science professor at Plattsburgh State, said he was surprised by Paterson’s decision to drop out of the race, but that it was unavoidable.
“I was very surprised, yet it was inevitable,” Schantz said. “The poll numbers indicated that he would not be able to win re-election, but he was willing to run up against the odds; however, the breaking scandals mired him, and he really didn’t have time to campaign.”
Schantz said once the implications of his involvement in the current scandal came to light, Paterson most likely felt there were more important things to attend to than his re-election.
Now, instead of fighting for another term, Paterson is fighting to remain in office for the next 302 days and remaining true to his policies and negotiations, Schantz said.
Due to the recent scandals, there’s speculation over whether Paterson can continue to serve the people of New York state to the greatest of his ability, Schantz said.
“There’s such momentum to have him forced out of office that he might not be able to hold on,” Schantz said.
In regards to Paterson’s budget proposal, particularly the Higher Education Innovation and Empowerment Act that will give SUNY Board of Trustees the power to set their own tuition rates, President John Ettling said Paterson’s decision not to run for re-election will not affect the budget making it through legislation.
“I don’t think that Paterson’s decision will affect the way individual legislators, that is assemblymen and women and senators, will vote on (the) empowerment bill because I’ve seen very little in the last year or so to lead me to conclude that Paterson has that kind of influence over them,” Ettling said.
While movements are brewing to run Paterson out of office, Schantz said it would not be wise for him to resign.
For one, impeachment is a long process when there are only 10 months left in his term, while his resignation would also make a completely un-elected politician governor, as Richard Ravich, who was nominated to the position of lieutenant governor by Paterson himself, would step into the position, Schantz said.
While PSUC students were somewhat unaware of Paterson’s current scandals, students said they were happy to see Paterson opt out of the race.
“He’s terrible at budgeting money,” student Ralph Cisario said. “They (his administration) keep giving people raises, and then when they realize they can’t meet budget, they raise taxes and cut money from things like education. Obviously that’s not going to work if you’re looking to get re-elected.”
Student Association President Charlie Peppers said while he wasn’t surprised by his decision, he found it interesting that Paterson was so affected by his political opponents.
“I can’t say I’m unsurprised; however, I didn’t expect him to be influenced by the buzz of negativity surrounding his possible run for re-election,” Peppers said.
PSUC student Dan McKenna said he should have taken a hint when President Barack Obama expressed he did not want Paterson to run for re-election. In addition, he should have realized his slim chances of re-election when he announced his desire to run for another term.
“If no one shows up to your press conference when you announce your desire to run for re-election, then you know there’s a problem,” McKenna said.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who is in charge of investigating the recent allegations surrounding Paterson, is expected to run for the democratic nominations but has not yet announced his desire to run — something Schantz said is a good idea.
“Once he says it, then he’s responsible on commenting on public affairs, such as the budget,” Schantz said.
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