Spring Break
New Governor Has A Chance To Defy Expectations
Our Opinion
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: Commentary
In 1975, Bob C. Riley, then lieutenant governor of Arkansas, became governor for 11 days following the election of the Arkansas governor to the United States Senate. What makes the case of Riley so interesting is not the tenure of his administration, or the circumstance which caused it, rather it is Riley himself. Until today, Riley was the only legally blind individual ever to hold the title of governor in the United States.
At noon today another legally blind politician, Lt. Gov. David Paterson (D-N.Y.), will officially join this small yet admirable club. With the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, following allegations of involvement with prostitution while on visits to Washington D.C., Paterson has the opportunity to serve as governor until the expiration of Spitzer's term in 2010. Due to his physical impairment, it is an opportunity which may otherwise never have come.
Paterson now has one of the greatest platforms on which to expound the abilities of disabled persons across the United States and indeed worldwide. This is a chance for Paterson, a black American, to trumpet the cause of minorities and disabled persons alike while serving as the chief executive to the third most populated state in America - not a small feat for a man facing two challenges toward acceptance by the electorate.
He has already proven himself endearing. During his first news conference after the Spitzer announcement, Paterson was challenged by a reporter.
"Just so we don't have to go through this whole resignation thing again, have you ever patronized a prostitute," one reporter asked.
"Only the lobbyists," shot back Paterson.
While sex jokes are likely to be met with the sound of crickets in the Spitzer household, Paterson's charm and wit have effectively disarmed the state as to his well-publicized and obvious disability. To be successful through 2010, Paterson will need to maintain the same disarming character.
It is a great day in New York for the baton to be handed to an unlikely candidate, but it is also sad that if he had ran on top of the gubernatorial ticket, Paterson would have received unfair and malicious scrutiny over his disability related to his ability to perform in the capacity of governor. Similar to the prejudice faced by millions of disabled Americans on a regular basis, Paterson would have had to overcome tremendous odds to reach the top spot alone. While it is nice that he now gets his chance to lead and the chance to demonstrate to New Yorkers and Americans alike that disability is no obstacle to such leadership, one must recognize that it took a scandal for Paterson to have that possibility.
With a successful tenure in office, Paterson will pave the way for many similarly aspiring disabled Americans to have their chance to make headway in politics. Maybe Paterson can even become the first legally blind governor to be elected in 2010. It would be an inspiration to many if he could succeed.
At noon today another legally blind politician, Lt. Gov. David Paterson (D-N.Y.), will officially join this small yet admirable club. With the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, following allegations of involvement with prostitution while on visits to Washington D.C., Paterson has the opportunity to serve as governor until the expiration of Spitzer's term in 2010. Due to his physical impairment, it is an opportunity which may otherwise never have come.
Paterson now has one of the greatest platforms on which to expound the abilities of disabled persons across the United States and indeed worldwide. This is a chance for Paterson, a black American, to trumpet the cause of minorities and disabled persons alike while serving as the chief executive to the third most populated state in America - not a small feat for a man facing two challenges toward acceptance by the electorate.
He has already proven himself endearing. During his first news conference after the Spitzer announcement, Paterson was challenged by a reporter.
"Just so we don't have to go through this whole resignation thing again, have you ever patronized a prostitute," one reporter asked.
"Only the lobbyists," shot back Paterson.
While sex jokes are likely to be met with the sound of crickets in the Spitzer household, Paterson's charm and wit have effectively disarmed the state as to his well-publicized and obvious disability. To be successful through 2010, Paterson will need to maintain the same disarming character.
It is a great day in New York for the baton to be handed to an unlikely candidate, but it is also sad that if he had ran on top of the gubernatorial ticket, Paterson would have received unfair and malicious scrutiny over his disability related to his ability to perform in the capacity of governor. Similar to the prejudice faced by millions of disabled Americans on a regular basis, Paterson would have had to overcome tremendous odds to reach the top spot alone. While it is nice that he now gets his chance to lead and the chance to demonstrate to New Yorkers and Americans alike that disability is no obstacle to such leadership, one must recognize that it took a scandal for Paterson to have that possibility.
With a successful tenure in office, Paterson will pave the way for many similarly aspiring disabled Americans to have their chance to make headway in politics. Maybe Paterson can even become the first legally blind governor to be elected in 2010. It would be an inspiration to many if he could succeed.
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