Politics on the Hudson

   Not too long after Gov. David Paterson made his statewide announcement via television last night that he was appointing a lieutenant governor, the Paterson 2010 campaign was burning up the phone line with an explainer on why Paterson had chosen former Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Richard Ravitch to be his second in command. Thousands of these robo-calls went out across the state.

   Paterson went from lieutenant governor to governor in March 2008, when Eliot Spitzer resigned due to his connection with a prostitution ring. Paterson did not fill the lieutenant governor spot until now, thinking it will help resolve the Senate leadership stalemate that has dragged on more than a month. Ravitch has already been sworn in and plans to preside over Senate session this afternoon. Republicans are not happy about that and have filed a lawsuit regarding Ravitch’s appointment.

   Here’s what the governor had to say:

   “This is Gov. David Paterson. Today I appointed Richard Ravitch lieutenant governor. I used my authority to bring Richard Ravitch in to get the New York State Senate to start working again. Right now we need quality health insurance, we need creation of jobs and alleviation of property taxes. And we certainly need a successor to the governor, as there is none currently. We feel that our decision passes legal muster and is the right thing for New Yorkers. We cannot suffer any further exposure to uncertainty at this time. Richard Ravitch and I will get the Senate back to work and get New Yorkers the relief we all deserve.”