Right after Paterson announced he was dropping out of the governor's race -- amid disturbing accusations that the governor and state troopers contacted an alleged domestic-violence victim who said she had been assaulted by one of the governor's aides -- a chorus of disappointed Dems began bleating for him to leave office ASAP.Mind you that all this is occurring with the backdrop of a state in a dire financial mess and a rudderless leadership - including a State Senate that has managed to just barely get its own house in order following the expulsion of Hiram Monserrate.
"He's a guy who is considered road kill and will have no influence with the Legislature," said former Mayor Ed Koch, who just weeks ago had been staunchly defending Paterson.
Koch said his change of heart came after "it was clear . . . that he has surrounded himself with unworthy people who are, in addition to everything else, the beaters of women."
Echoing the sentiments of other party leaders, Koch said, "No question the state would be better off if [Lieutenant Governor] Dick Ravitch were governor."
Another Paterson ally to turn on the beleaguered gov was city Comptroller John Liu.
"New York should move forward under Governor Ravitch," Liu said.
The governor is supposed to focus his energy on getting a budget deal done by April 1, but with this political scandal, his remaining political capital is being wasted on just trying to get through the next few weeks without worrying about being impeached.
Everyone in Albany and beyond knows that this isn't going to end well for Paterson, except Paterson. What would be in the best interests of the state at this point? Well, that would mean Richard Ravitch assuming the governorship, but it would also mean that New York would see three governors in three years (two unelected).
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