New York Times to Paterson: You're outta here
By: Byron York
Chief Political Correspondent
09/26/09 7:37 AM EDT
In a new editorial, the New York Times is calling on New York Gov. David Paterson, the state's first African-American chief executive, to withdraw from the 2010 governor's race. "As well meaning as Mr. Paterson has been," the Times writes, "he is not the right person for New York over the long haul."
The paper says the Obama administration's effort to give Paterson the hook was "unwelcome and amateurish." Nevertheless, the editorial says Obama's push provided "a focus for what Mr. Paterson ought to be doing in coming months."
The paper suggests Paterson is simply not up to the job of crafting a state budget and dealing with the New York legislature -- a concern the Times has had ever since Paterson succeeded the scandal-plagued Eliot Spitzer. But the paper argues that Paterson would somehow be more up to the job if he were freed "from the need to raise money from favor seekers" -- that is, if he weren't running for a full term.
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