New York Governor “Ratted Out” For Wanting A Hispanic Senate Leader

Democratic New York Governor David Paterson–You know, the one who replaced -Republican- Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer when he got caught with his hookers down?– is in the New York Post today after some “rogue” state senators said Paterson secretly asked them to get a hispanic into the Senate Leader position while he is publicly backing African American Sen. Malcolm Smith for the job. This is scandalous for the New York Post because they are essentially a Republican paper and see division amongst minorities as their only hope now that a black is in the White House. Still, let’s humor them and take a look at their allegations, shall we?

The renegade Democrats [Sen. Ruben Diaz Sr. and Senator-elect Pedro Espada Jr.] said the prospect of electing a Hispanic majority leader arose Nov. 5, when they met fellow party member Paterson in Manhattan to discuss Senate control.

See, they’re renegades! And rogues! Except:

“I can’t tell you with 100 percent certainty that it was raised by him,” said Espada. “I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that he thought it was a good idea.”

Hmm. Not so renegadey, Espada. But way to piss off your governor before you’ve even taken office. You’ll go far.

For the Governor’s part, a person “close to him” had this to say about the whole thing:

“The governor said that he would like to see an elected official of Hispanic descent rise to a leadership role in the city or the state, but he didn’t put that in the context of Malcolm’s leadership or his own political gain,” the person said. “That’s been misconstrued.”

Even if he did say it, what politician doesn’t make every move based on getting elected next term? Don’t these people watch West Wing? Nice try, Post, but Latinos still love black democrats.

ROGUES: GOV WANTS LATINO [NY Post]