New York’s first African American Governor, the legally blind David Paterson, was recently blindsided by the Obama Administration as rumors of resignation requests began to surface shortly before the President visited the state for the UN General Assembly meeting. The public justification behind the President’s slap in the face was Governor Paterson’s abysmal approval ratings. However I feel that is just too simple an answer. The Governor recently drew the ire of President Obama when he attributed his poor poll numbers and the caustic national health care debate to racial bias in the media. Paterson was besieged for playing the “Race Card,” and the ensuing negative media coverage forced the Obama administration to try and distance itself from the beleaguered Governor. The last thing the Obama administration wants to be drawn into is a discussion on Race. However, I have to agree with the Governor. Furthermore several television pundits have said that there are racial overtones to the Health Care debate, further confirmed by Congressman Joe Wilson’s behavior.

Now let us look at the facts:

1—OTB: In June of 2008 NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg wanted to close down OTB (Off Tr43ack Betting). Although OTB was turning a profit, it is required to distribute a lion’s share of its profits to the state, which meant New York City wasn’t recovering all of its expenses for maintaining the operation. Mayor Bloomberg threatened to close down the entity, calling it a “bookie operation.” However OTB employs 1300 people—which means 1300 families laid off in the middle of a recession. Nice move for the fiscally conservative billionaire mayor. Fortunately, Governor Paterson stepped in and saved the jobs, reworking the economic distribution formula, giving the city a larger share of the profits. But it was a nasty fight, and instead of the press hailing Paterson for saving the entity and 1300 jobs, a negative story emerged: “According to a source with firsthand knowledge of Paterson's comments, the governor said that during talks last week on OTB's future, Bloomberg threw the same kind of bizarre tantrums that disgraced former Gov. Eliot Spitzer had been known for.” GOV BLASTS 'NASTY' MIKE - NY Post 6/16/2008

2—MTA Fare Hike: The residents of New York City were threatened with a second fare hike within a year, raising the fare from $2.00 to $2.50 a ride. Due to the financial recession the MTA had a huge budget gap and needed the State Legislature to subsidize it. Initially, the State Legislature seemed reluctant (I am being subtle) to pass the bailout until the Governor challenged them by saying, “If I don't see it working then I'll just make [lawmakers] stay right there [in Albany] until we get a deal.” A deal was reached and fares were hiked to $2.25. I wasn’t happy that the fare went up at all, but I must say the Governor provided solid leadership.   

3—Gay Marriage: I am totally against gay marriage. I do strongly believe in civil unions as an alternative. However, Governor Paterson was one of the few high level politicians to endorse gay marriage in America. I would assume that the media and powerful gay and lesbian lobby in the state would praise him for this. I would even imagine that the Speaker of the City Council—the openly gay Christine Quinn—would do everything in her power to support the Governor. Nothing—not a peep. I did hear Dan Savage, gay advice columnist for The Village Voice, quote the Governor on CNN, but that was it. For taking a courageous stand on what is a supposedly an important liberal cause, the Governor gets no credit.  

4—Republican Coup: Two Latino Democratic state senators switched sides, giving the Republicans a two vote majority in the State Senate. It should be noted that one of the Senators—Pedro Espada Jr.—is a poster boy for corruption and is under investigation. The second—Hiram Monserrate—is currently on trial for slashing his girlfriend in the face with a drinking glass. For those acquainted with the deep-seated corruption in Albany this was no surprise. The state was paralyzed for almost two months. However Governor Paterson provided strong leadership. The Governor froze the Senators’ financial resources and forced them to remain in Albany at their own expense. Evoking his Gubernatorial powers in a sophisticated manner, the Governor took a very clever interpretation of the State constitution and appointed a Lieutenant Governor, thus forcing an end to the crisis. He was strongly criticized for this action by almost every legal mind in the State, including the Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Apparently, the Governor, who does not use a teleprompter, knows the law better than most, because the appointment was upheld by the highest court in the state. For his strong leadership the Governor was rewarded with more negative press.

Now to the real reason for the Governor Paterson’s negative poll numbers—revenge. Blue Blood Democratic revenge—Kennedy style. Once President Elect Barack Obama appointed Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, it was assumed that Caroline Kennedy should be appointed in her place. It was a forgone conclusion. The Kennedys had thrown their support behind the Black guy for president and Caroline Kennedy helped President Obama select his Cabinet. The Kennedys have always been friends to the Negro, and it is only natural for them to expect payback.

But the question I want to ask is why? I found it offensive that someone who had never really worked in any political capacity before would just assume that they deserved this very important position. I don’t want to disparage Caroline Kennedy. I know she must be a decent person and has done a lot of charity work, but that still doesn’t mean she deserves the job. Furthermore, who is Ted Kennedy to tell Governor Paterson to seat his niece? It is one thing to discuss matters behind closed doors, but Caroline and her family started to campaign for the position in the press.

The Blue Blood Democrat thing is serious. I first heard the term at a political function hosted by Michael Bloomberg—the inauguration of the Audubon Memorial to Malcolm X. There was a gentleman that I wanted to approach—the older Black woman with whom I was speaking told me, “He is a Blue Blood Democrat. He doesn’t speak to Black people.” I paused. She wasn’t upset, she was enjoying the event, we were having a great conversation and she was simply explaining the rules to me. It is what it is, this is New York, this is the financial capital of the world, it is only natural that there are Blue Blood Democrats, and only natural that they dominate the political spectrum. 

Peterson has two other Blue Blood Democratic enemies—former Governor Elliot Spitzer and the billionaire mayor—looking for payback from the OTB scandal. Elliot Spitzer, the son of a New York real-estate mogul, is getting positive press and thinking of a political comeback—prostitution scandal and all. Michael Bloomberg has spent almost half a billion dollars taking over the city, much of that money going to the local media—which might explain why there is no serious journalistic investigation of his administration. Furthermore if the press treated Paterson as they do NYC’s darling billionaire mayor he would be the next Pope.

When David Paterson criticized the white media for his coverage, and interjected race into the Presidential health care debate all he did was tell the truth. Now the question is, is America ready for the truth, or do we still need to be safe Negroes and forget about change? I have been impressed with President Obama. However, if the President isn’t careful he will be guilty of what he is accusing Paterson of doing—dragging down his party and leading them to electoral defeat in 2010. This was a dangerous and stupid precedent by the Obama administration. Furthermore, it is not a good move for the first Black President to “dis” a decent Black man that has a loyal following from the Black residents of his state—me included.