Is the Spitzer resignation a blessing for progressives?

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/Spitzer_Resignation_Is_Blessing_for_Progressives_5470.html

The state’s first African-American Governor -- and the first blind Governor in America -- is an aggressive civil rights advocate who has been arrested as part of civil disobedience against police violence against racial minorities. He is a strong advocate of gay marriage, who, unlike former Wall Street attorney Spitzer, has strong relationships with community-based organizations in Harlem and elsewhere.

Paterson is a team player who will involve a broader range of progressive legislators and constituencies, which is particularly necessary amidst New York’s often fractured Democratic Party. Simply put, the drivers’ license fiasco that brought Spitzer’s poll numbers shooting down and ultimately failed those he was trying to help would never have happened under David Paterson.

Spitzer’s resignation has not changed the fundamental challenge for New York progressives: taking at least one Republican Senate seat in November to regain control of that branch for the first time in most people’s lifetimes. Republican control of the New York Senate has prevented a wide range of progressive reforms, particularly the elimination of the draconian Rockefeller drug laws, which has long hurt the state’s low-income communities.

Democrats remained favored to win control of the Legislature in November, and then Paterson’s skills will be tested as he commands a working political majority. Based on everything I have heard and read, New York progressives will be glad that Paterson and not Spitzer is in the Governor’s office when that transition to power occurs next year.

[cornermouse]

1. No. It isn't.

Team players are necessary and do best in a support position. Team players don't usually do well in leadership positions because the political opposition sees that as a weakness and tries to take advantage of it. A lot can happen between now and November. You shouldn't plan on a majority till you actually see it.

[Ian David]

2. Randi Rhodes once made Paterson cry.

I forgot my Ipod, so I was stuck listening to Randi on XM Radio the other day.

She told a story about how some young kid was stalking her and threatened her with a knife, and at the insistence of her co-workers, she called the cops.

The prosecutor at the time was Paterson, and she met with him and said that she did NOT want to press charges against the kid who was young, desperate and confused. Randi wanted the kid to join The Army instead, to get his life straightened out.

Paterson was so touched, that he started to cry and gave Randi a hug.