Blinded By The Light

It hasn't hit the respectable press, yet; but NY Gov. David Paterson is the subject of all sorts of crazy internet rumors (caught in bed with his mistress - in the Governor's Mansion! He and his wife are swingers! NY Times preparing major expose!) and New York Post stories that all point to his supposedly imminent resignation. Why can't California catch these sorts of breaks? Any way, Paterson heatedly denies everything and says he's running for re-election: NY's Paterson Lashes Back at Rumors

on Monday lashed back at what he called a "callous and sleazy" assault on his character in statehouse rumors and media reports that include accusations about womanizing and drug use, allegations he flatly denied.

The Democratic governor told The Associated Press that the media and New York politics have hit new lows, but that the situation won't stop him from serving in office or seeking election to a full term in the fall.

He cited as fabricated a Jan. 30 New York Post report that he was caught by state police in the mansion with a woman other than his wife. He said the room in which he was reportedly caught doesn't even exist.

"We stand by our reporting," Post spokeswoman Suzi Halpin said.

The rumors about Paterson's personal conduct have been circulating in Albany — and sometimes appearing online and in newspaper reports — at a crucial moment in the governor's career. His popularity has fallen precipitously, but he has vowed to run for re-election, even though many Democrats would prefer the state attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, to run in his place.

If Paterson really were having an affair, it's hard to imagine the woman who would go along with it. Paterson's blind. He's married. He's the governor of NY. Plus, he became governor only after his predecessor resigned over a crazy sex scandal. I don't know; it all seems needlessly complicated.

A more interesting question: why is Paterson being tormented like this? Upon taking over from Spitzer, Paterson promptly admitted to his own set of extra-marital affairs, and no one batted an eye. Now, suddenly, it's resignation time. The Democratic Party has not been shy in trying to push him aside in favor of Andrew Cuomo, and this looks to be very much of a piece with that effort. I am having a hard time shaking the cynical feeling that, were Paterson a more popular figure, he wouldn't be facing these sorts of questions. Instead of the airing of the dirty laundry, he would be getting the full Edwards. But, Paterson's on the outs with the insiders, for whatever reason, so he's being purged, or that's the appearance anyway. And, it makes you wonder about the untold stories that insiders "know" about, but which go unreported as long as the subject enjoys media protection.