Politics on the Hudson

   State Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox said the latest scandal involving Gov. David Paterson, and the governor’s decision today not to run for a four-year term underscores the need for (no surprise here) more Repubulicans in Albany. Cox said one-party rule at the Capitol—Democrats control the executive branch, the Senate and the Assembly—is not a good thing.

   Cox said Attorney General Andrew Cuomo should recuse himself from investigating the matter of potential interference by the State Police and the governor in a domestic-violence case involving a Paterson aide.

   Here is his statement (with an extra “t” in the first reference to the governor):

“The end of Governor David Patterson’s re-election campaign amidst a cloud of scandal is just the latest example of the Democratic Party’s culture of corruption, stemming from their absolute control of government on a state and nationwide level.  Over the past four years, as New Yorkers have had to cope with an economic crisis hitting our families and businesses, they’ve watched the Democratic Leadership of this state become a national embarrassment.  

“Two statewide officials, Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer and State Comptroller Alan Hevesi, resigned in disgrace, while Governor Paterson’s own transgressions are now precluding him from seeking a second-term. Each of Attorney General Cuomo’s 2006 running mates has left a tragic legacy of failure and abuse of the public trust. The fact Attorney General Cuomo has not recused himself from the Paterson investigation, in which his clear political interests are at stake, means Cuomo is no different than the others who perpetuate this corrupt environment.

“Today’s announcement only underscores the need to put an end to one-party rule in Albany and to elect leaders who are removed and separate from the previous four years’ worth of failure and corruption. New Yorkers seek and deserve that kind of leadership.  Andrew Cuomo fails entirely to fit-the-bill.”