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Photograph of Paterson being sworn in by Chief Judge Judith Kaye by Mary Altaffer/AP
David Paterson was sworn in at NY State's 55th governor today, in the standing-room State Assembly chambers and those gathered gave him a two-minute standing ovation, "David! David! David!"
In his speech, Paterson said, "In so many ways we woke this morning to a not so ordinary day. Today like we always do, in spite of the obstacles or circumstances... We move forward... This transition today is an historic message to the world: That we live by the same values that we profess, and we are a government of laws, not individuals."
He referred to the "work to be done" and mentioned issues like the looming budget, affordable housing, health care, and property taxes. "I can believe we can weather the storm, I've worked for New Yorkers my whole life. I don't know the path yet because we haven't blazed the trail, and I think you all know I know a little something about finding my way in the dark." And at the end, he said, "Let me reintroduce myself. I am David Paterson. And I am the governor of New York state!"
Paterson also made jokes, including one about only going to dinner with State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno if he could bring a food taster, and recalled when his then-new stepdaughter Ashley told him to get over himself.
Three governors - Jon Corzine of NJ, Deval Patrick of Massachusetts, and Jodi Rell of Connecticut - attended as did Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, Representative Charles Rangel former Governor Pataki, former Mayor David Dinkins, former Mayor Ed Koch, and Mayor Bloomberg. Clinton said, "I'm honored to be here; I wouldn't be anywhere else. There's a lot of business for the state to do; I've got a lot of confidence in him."
You can listen to Paterson's speech here. Flash from the past: Chief Judge Judith Kaye, who swore in Paterson, became the highest judge in NY State after Sol Wachtler stepped down because of a sex scandal.
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I watched his speech and was impressed. He genuinely seems like a good guy. Good luck to him over the next three years - he's going to need it.
I watched the speech, too. What struck me most about his personality is how big of a fucking NERD this guy is. And we need more nerds in politics.
I dearly hope that all the good will both state Republicans and Democrats have for Paterson will translate into actual work getting done.
Any guy who constantly throws out blind puns is okay in my book. If he wasn't already an elected official, I would totally vote for him.
What an amazingly eloquent and charismatic man... that speech put me in a great mood all day.
Give em Hell Guvna
He could have said "This won't be a case of the blind leading the blind."
If he turn out to be great, I hope he does, does that call into question this whole voting election thing.
What's it called again democri?....demonocr?...
Oh you know what I mean!
I didn't like the extremely religious inaugural prayer, that went on and on about him following the "will of God" ("the God of all things" or something like that) in his duties. He brought in his own pastor, it seems. What do I care about his religious leanings? Is he assuming we all care if he's religious or not? Or are we supposed to assume that his God is the generic God, the one we're all supposed to be happy to here invoked in a governmental procedure? WTF?
How about the will of the people?
Frank, it vindicates voting. Paterson was elected to a position with duties including replacing the governor if necessary.
I watched Paterson's speech today and I think it was one of the great political speeches in recent memory.
He embraced everyone in the room (almost literally - he introduced a lot of people) and made some good jokes, even at his own expense. He didn't ignore the serious issues with the economy and declared his willingness to work with everyone.
He distinguished himself from Spitzer without perpetuating the crude nature of what led him to become governor. Most importantly, he clearly asserted his independence with confidence by almost shouting ''I am the governor of New York state!''
Sorry, but I had to comment on what a lovely daughter he has - apparently from his wife's previous marriage...
Someone posted here last week that they saw Paterson hanging out with a lady at some bar a while ago. Well, the Guv explains that it was an extramarital affair.
Gothamist commentators are good!
Several talking heads mentioned that his wife was a lobbyist and that may come back to haunt him.