Gov. David Paterson has decided not to run for re-election in the aftermath of a scandal resulting from his conduct in an incident involving adviser David W. Johnson, according to Chris Cilizza:
Paterson's retirement clears the way for state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the most popular politician in the Empire State, to be the Democratic nominee for governor this fall. Cuomo ran for governor in 2002 but dropped out of the contest after it became clear he would lose to then state Comptroller Carl McCall.
Former Rep. Rick Lazio is the likely Republican nominee.
Paterson's behavior in the case involving his aide was indefensible, but he was already extremely unpopular and the White House had for months been pushing him not to run.
The one thing I will note in defense of Paterson's tenure is his successful effort to repeal the draconian Rockefeller Drug Laws.
-- A. Serwer
