Poll Shows Most Voters Want Paterson Out NOW

At right, alleged domestic violence victim Sherr-una Booker

Keeping the promise he made yesterday, David Paterson is still Governor today (so far, anyway), despite a growing chorus demanding his resignation in the wake of two recently-revealed scandals. His chief of staff, Larry Schwartz, and counsel, Peter Kiernan, have joined the ranks of those who believe he must resign because he can no longer function effectively. One source tells the Post, "They know it's just a short matter of time." Another insider says Paterson is "regularly flying off the handle" and accusing his aides of "undermining his chances to cling to office." The Attorney General's office has told Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver that the probe will go "quickly," and Paterson's finally hired a lawyer to deal with the mess. But will he be able to hold on much longer?

The governor is accused of enlisting two state employees and his State Police security detail to pressure a woman, Sherr-una Booker, to drop her domestic violence legal action against a top Paterson aide, David Johnson (or D.J.). Paterson has previously admitted to speaking with Booker the day before she dropped the matter, but now sources with knowledge of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's investigation tell the Times that Paterson spoke with her multiple times after she gave up trying to get an order of protection against D.J. Booker has reportedly told Cuomo "that most of the governor’s conversations with her concerned ways to tamp down a possibly damaging newspaper article."

An attorney for Booker, who is a single mom, tells the Daily News, "She is being victimized again. She's a regular person. She's not Tiger Woods." Booker, who claims that D.J. choked her and assaulted her because he was enraged by her provocative Halloween costume, has apparently left the country. "She's tired, she's stressed out, she doesn't want to come back from all of this," says her brother. "She never expected this. She wanted to get away from this. I don't know when she's coming back." In a statement released last night, Johnson's lawyer insisted his client is innocent.

Yesterday, Paterson's communications director resigned, asserting that he could no longer "in good conscience" remain a part of the administration, in light of other allegations that Paterson perjured himself when testifying about soliciting free World Series Yankee tickets last year. But Paterson's press secretary, Marissa Shorenstein, still seems determined to go down the ship, despite more details about her involvement in the widening scandal. WABC has obtained a copy of an email she sent on February 16th to state worker Deneane Brown, whom Paterson allegedly tasked with making Booker "go away."

The email, which Brown forwarded to Booker, included this statement they wanted her to give to the press: "David Johnson and I dated from x date until October, 2009. Though our break-up was not friendly, there was nothing acrimonious about our relationship or its ending. Any allegations to the contrary are false." Booker refused to sign off on the statement. Brown has been interviewed by Cuomo's office, and her lawyer tells WABC, "I'm looking for immunity. I'd like to make sure that there is no liability on my client's part."

Finally, a new Quinnipiac University poll released today shows a sharp drop in public support for Paterson. Fewer than half of New Yorkers, 46 percent, now say he should finish his term rather than resign, down from 61 percent earlier in the week. So much for scandal fatigue. Today Paterson again told reporters he's not resigning. According to ABC News, Paterson's staff is meeting with him this afternoon for what one aide described as a "pep talk" to re-group and focus on the economy. Goooooo Team!

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By John Del Signore in News on March 5, 2010 3:04 PM

Comments [rss]

MrCholly

How could the attorney representing Ms.Booker know she was being harassed and intimidated by the NYS Police and The Governor and NOT report this crime to the Court.He is an agent of the Court and is bound to report criminal acts. What was the reason he told the Courts why Ms.Booker Fail to appear,was the case rescheduled or dismissed with or without prejudice. All is not being told her and I believe the Governor is being set up. It has been Ms.Booker attorney who is speaking to the NYT, were these questions asked if not why.

Bernie Madoff-Goetz

How many unelected Governors do we need to ride out Spitzdaddy's downfall?

Spirit of 76

The Paterson supporters are getting fewer by the day even here on Gothamist. In a little while, there may be nobody left who likes Paterson except for felix.

newport27

why is all this attention shifting to paterson? the real scumbag that new yorkers really want OUT NOW is BLOOMBERG. I don't understand this city and the media that covers it

longacre

A few million New Yorkers just re-elected Mr. Bloomberg, so I think you might be a bit off. No one directly elected Mr. Paterson.

TheKlaus

"because he can no long function effectively."

longacre

I'm guessing most voters do not realize what happens if Paterson quits: Richard Ravitch, a man who was neither democratically elected by the people nor confirmed by their representatives becomes governor.

By all accounts Mr. Ravitch is well respected and has not been involved in any awful controversies. He'd probably be able to get more accomplished than Paterson in the remaining 10 months. But it is still kind of icky.

longacre

Hopefully the state legislature will amend the state constitution so this can't happen again. What if Paterson had selected Pedro Espada to the lieutenant governor and he were about to take over the state? We couldn't do jack about it.

NannyState

Thanks for that chill down my spine.

cea303cea

What swayed me in the direction of wanting Paterson to resign was Al Sharpton saying that he should finish out his term. Ole AL is a one sided fool.