Leaders of the African-American and Latino communities (including Rev Al Sharpton) will meet at Sylvia's Restaurant in New York's Harlem tonight to discuss the possible resignation of New York Governor David Paterson.
Paterson has already announced that he will not seek election this year but many feel that the ethically-challenged Governor will not be able to serve out the remainder of his term and will be forced to resign.
As it is, members of the Governor's staff are rapidly fleeing the sinking ship.
Today communications director Peter Kauffmann resigned from his $175,000-a-year job, the third person in a week to bolt from the administration.
"As a former officer in the United States Navy, integrity and commitment to public service are values I take seriously," Kauffmann said in a statement.
"Unfortunately, as recent developments have come to light, I cannot in good conscience continue in my current position."
Paterson's now former criminal justice deputy secretary Denise O'Donnell also said in her resignation letter last week that she could not "in good conscience" continue serving Paterson.
Former state Police Superintendent Harry Corbitt, whose agency is also under investigation, retired Thursday.
And the news just gets worse for Democrats all over the country:
Married Democratic Rep. Eric Massa reportedly sexually harassed a male staffer. He announced yesterday that he will retire.
Also, Democrat Congressman Charlie Rangel announced yesterday that he would “temporarily” step down from his powerful post as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. The House ethics committee admonished Rangel last week for violating Congressional gift rules.
And in a story that never seems to end, The National Enquirer reports that former Democratic Vice President Candidate John Edwards will be indicted.
The list of Democrat misdeeds and scoundrels just goes on and on: Spitzer. Patrick Kennedy. Rangel. Edwards. Paterson. And those names barely scratch the surface.
Still, Obama, Pelosi, Reid and company keep talking about integrity and transparency and ethics as if none of this were happening.
It would be downright funny if it wasn't so sad.
1 comment:
There have been plenty of Republicans embroiled in scandal too (Bob Packwood, Larry Craig and Mark Sanford immediately come to mind). The difference is that Republicans who have run afoul pay a far steeper price compared to Democrats.
I think one of the problems Democrats have with trying to force out Paterson and Rangel is that they're black. They're afraid that if they come down too hard on them, they'll antagonize a crucial voting bloc that they'll need to come to the polls in November. Given how strong Republican enthusiasm will be this year, Democratic candidates, especially those in urban areas, will need every minority vote they can get.
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