Politics on the Hudson

   Gov. David Paterson just gave his remarks to the delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, one of a host of governors and other prominent leaders to address the pumped-up crowd. Sen. Hillary Clinton is the prime-time speaker.

   Paterson, who was born in Brooklyn, spoke about the challenges he faced after suffering an infection at 8 months that left him legally blind in the right eye and totally blind in the right. He attended school with sighted children, and after graduating from high school, he went on to Columbia University and Hofstra University Law School. But he was turned down from his first job because of his disability.

   “Somehow between that low moment and tonight, I have been lucky enough to have been chosen to speak before this magnificent assembly as the governor of the State of New York,” he said.

   “Whatever achievements that I have made, I am always aware of how lucky I am. There were people I knew who were smarter than me. There were those who worked harder and perhaps were more dedicated,” he said. ”But for the lack of opportunity, one of them would be standing here talking to you this evening. My story is somewhat unique, but in many ways it is not. It is the overall promise that this nation has made that if a person works hard enough, that they can make the most of their God-given talents.”

   Paterson said that American promise has been scuttled during the eight years of the Bush Administration, citing statistics about home foreclosures, job losses and the high inflation rate. (He noted how many people with disabilities are unemployed.) He criticized John McCain’s claims that the Bush Administration’s policies have helped the economy.

   Paterson, who memorizes his speeches, got stuck toward the end, mistakenly saying at first that “Barack Obama will bring us the same broken policy for four more years.”

   “Fellow delegates I have a better idea. Let’s give them four more months and then elect Barack Obama because Barack Obama will restore propserity and will make the changes we need to write a new chapter in the story of the promise of America,” he said.