At National Press Club, Paterson Mixes One-Liners With Stern Economic Warning
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- July
- 31
Gov. Paterson just finished speaking to the National Press Club in Washington, and he had a series of patented one-liners that brought the crowd to a roar.
Taking questions from the audience, Paterson was asked what lessons he has learned from the imperfections of politicians (i.e. his predecessor Eliot Spitzer’s hooker rendezvous at the Mayflower Hotel in D.C.)
He paused after the question was asked, then responded “Be careful when you come to Washington.”
The crowd broke into laughter.
Asked which veep could help John McCain win New York, Paterson said, “The candidate that would help John McCain win New York would probably be a resurrection.”
Then on McCain, who he applauded for his public service, Paterson said, “that if he’s the answer to American’s problems, then the question must be ridiculous.”
Paterson had a more serious tone, though, during his luncheon address. He said the federal government needs to do more to help states, including in New York which Paterson this week revealed has a $26 billion budget gap over the next three years.
“The federal government is going to need to put more into the states to support it before we have what will be a national crisis of bankruptcy and perhaps further fiscal insolvency,” he said.
Paterson also called on the feds to give more aid for transportation, such as helping build a high-speed rail between Albany and New York City.
And he complained that New York this year is expected to give about $82 billion more in aid to Washington than it gets back.
“We feel we need our tax money as much as Arizona or any other state does,” he said, citing how Arizona and other states give less and get more.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 2:28 pm by Joseph Spector.
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What’s so funny about any of this? Must have been a lot of vodka martins swigged at this luncheon. Suddenly Paterson, the charming stand-up comic, found religion? Doubt that. He and his ilk created this enormous problem with all their mandates, empty programs, taxes and fees and anti-business, (except for a favored few who knew how to reciprocate,) government expanding, pro- union, lobby-kissing, profligate attitudes. Now that he is personally under the gun, he sees problems. And his constant horn-blowing about Obama proves that he hasn’t clue one about taxes, economics, mandated programs, money-burning, or malaise – and neither does the National Press Club, who , over noon cocktails, enjoy finding lame humor to be a substitute for substantive re-evaluation and effective remedial action. As has been stated at many a high-level business discussion, “Hope is not a plan.”
Um, to the first poster – are you kidding – his speech was hilarious. And the former (real former, not Spitzer) Governor was Pataki, a Republican who promised to lower taxes and reduce the state work force and instead raised both! Paterson inherited this problem and is at least trying to fix it. At least someone is working on it! what would make you happy – that he do NOTHING??
Also, he has hardly been “horn blowing” for Obama, he was a Hillary supporter until the end.
Rumor has it Marla, that you some time ago, received a letter of reprimand at Winged Foot for wearing clothes unbecoming. Lengthen your skirt if you plan to sit at the bar. Furthermore, anyone who cohabits with the Donald carries little credence to the arena of political erudition.
Although, you’re absolutely correct about Pataki.