Political question for my New York friends

[beowabbit]

(This is something I’ve wondered for a while.)

Following the national media, I know basically four things about David Paterson:

• I know about his succession of Eliot Spitzer, and the biographical stuff about him that was reported at the time.
• I know about his appointment of Kristen Gillibrand to fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat when she was picked for Secretary of State.
• I know about his active work to legalize same-sex marriage in New York State.
• And I know that he is desperately unpopular.

What I don’t know is why he is unpopular. I have the impression that the Gillibrand selection pissed off some people in inside-baseball sorts of ways, but that can’t be all of it. But in Massachusetts, I don’t hear about the day-to-day running of state government in New York. So, those of you who know, why is Paterson so unpopular?

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Comments

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

I grew up in New York, so even though I live in Massachusetts now, I still follow New York politics.

From what I understand, Patterson just hasn't shown certain basic competencies in the office. For example, he gave a speech a while back (I think it may have been the state of the state) that was short on particulars. He hasn't been very good at getting the legislature to move faster on bills and the budget. His choice of Gillibrand annoyed some Democrats because her politics on some key issues are more to the right and her district was not one that could safely elect a new Democrat to the House (although it did, but by a thin margin).

There's probably more, but this is the gist of what I understand.

[desiringsubject.livejournal.com]

I think I would second that. I've not been following too closely, as I've been trying to wrap my head around *this* state's politics. But yeah, I think a lot of people had really high hopes and he's just seemed kindof a let down. A lot of folks hoped he'd make really bold decisions on the theory that he might not be reelected anyway. But he seems to be trying to be "conservative" on the theory that it will get him reelected, which seems like it's totally backfiring...

[beowabbit]

Thanks!

[nex0s.livejournal.com]

I live here and I have no idea why he's unpopular. Seriously. I can't figure it out.

N.

[midnightstation.livejournal.com]

HE does not do his job in an effective manner. He will say one thing that was not well thought out and then go back on it a day or two later.

I had VERY high hopes for him. I liked the fact that he admitted to his infidelity before he got the office. He appeared to have it all together. But he is not very decisive. People can handle a person they do not agree with if that person always gets results. Patterson does not. He waffels, does not take control of situations and is some what of a lame duck.

This is my take on him from what I read in the free daily papers in NYC every day.

I wish he more aptitude for the position he is in.

-S

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you asked this question. I'd been wondering myself.

[addiejd.livejournal.com]

A lot of people are also REALLY pissed off at how he's handling the state budget and deficit.

To be honest, I'm not quite sure about the whole thing, but my mom works for the state assembly, so I'll ask her about it and get back to you.