NY Governor Paterson's Job Security

By Ralph Alter

High muckety-mucks in the New York State Democrat Party have given Governor-by-Default, David Paterson the wobbliest of ultimatums: shape up or we might possibly have to think about considering asking a Hispanic or black leader to inquire as to whether you might think about maybe retiring.

Paterson's approval rating hovers around the historical ratings of the Octomom, AIG executives or Typhoid Mary. At 19% and with approval dropping like Al Gore's credibility, the Governor has the lowest positive ratings any NY Governor has ever received.

Despite rampant constituent distaste for Paterson's incompetent staffing, tardy and inadequate budget and ham-handedness in general, no one in the Democratic Party seems willing to confront the albatross:

Anyone seeking to get Paterson out of the 2010 race will have to tread lightly. He is New York's first black governor, although he wasn't elected to the post, having inherited it after Eliot Spitzer got caught up in a prostitution scandal. He is also legally blind. ...

Observers said it would be impossible for someone like state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to challenge Paterson unless black and Hispanic lawmakers provide "cover" by calling for the governor to step aside.

Let me get this straight: the primary qualities required for the job of Chief Executive of the State of New York are blackness and blindness? Is New York society so wedded to political correctness that the Governor's job security is provided by his victim status?

Are there any jobs in America that are filled and maintained due to the merit and achievements of the individual? Apparently not in Blue State America. Looks like New York will end up belly-up on the altar of political correctness.

Ralph Alter blogs at Right on Target.