Tools

Governor Paterson: Paladino not fit for public service

By BETH FOUHY, Associated Press Writer

Story Created: Sep 16, 2010 at 10:00 AM EDT

Story Updated: Sep 16, 2010 at 11:24 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP/WKTV) - Governor David Paterson says Carl Paladino, the
Republican candidate hoping to replace him, isn't fit for public service.

Paterson made his comments Thursday at a forum on the future of New York.

Paterson, a Democrat, said he understood Paladino's anger at the excesses of state government. But he said Paladino "insists on being divisive" and needs to tone down his rhetoric.

"It's part of the politics of confusion that we don't need in this deep economic downturn, which historically has turned people against each other because they're frightened, they're angry, and they open themselves to all kinds of prejudice rhetoric masking itself as a solution to the problem," Governor Paterson said. "And the problem is that people are dispirited and confused, and when anything comes along, they think it's leadership and it isn't."

Former Republican Governor George Pataki, who was also part of the forum, said that while he understands Paladino's anger, candidates like Paladino need to turn that anger into positive change if they're going to make a difference.

Paterson said he was deeply offended by the racist and pornographic emails Paladino has admitted forwarding to friends.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

What's On