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Albany, NY - Governor Likens Legislators to a Bunch of Bloodsuckers |
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Albany, NY - Gov. David Paterson said Monday that some New York state lawmakers are like Count Dracula, showing pleasant faces to lull citizens' advocates but becoming bloodsuckers when the sun sets.
The governor, known for his use of humor, later backed off.
After making the comparison to a disabled rights group, he explained to reporters that he was trying to illustrate the frustration of having lawmakers seem sympathetic to a cause but then taking no action after the advocates leave the Capitol.
"There were legislators who I used to think practiced their own versions of being Count Dracula — in that they were very nice to the advocates when they came to Albany," Paterson said. "And then (the advocates) get back on the buses by four o'clock. By five o'clock the sun would go down and they'd go back to being who they really are — a bunch of blood suckers."
"I didn't say that my colleagues were blood suckers. I said that there were certain people who listen to advocates, and as soon as they left and it got dark, were acting in that way — like Count Dracula — because they really didn't care," Paterson told reporters.
It was a shock for some legislators, who have welcomed the collegiality of Paterson — a senator for 20 years — after their conflicts with former Gov. Eliot Spitzer that gridlocked Albany in 2007.
"The governor's comments were flip and not very amusing — in fact they were 'Spitzeresque.' Coming from the legislature, he should know better," said Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, a Republican."
Good grief, here we go again?" said Assemblyman John McEneny, a Democrat.
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Read Comments (6) — Post Yours »
1
Sep 08, 2008 at 06:48 PM McCain-Palin 08 Says:
wish he would change party's and declare himself a republican cause he def. has it in him
2
Sep 08, 2008 at 07:11 PM RU Savvy Says:
Republican or not, Gov. Patterson is a fascinating politician. And as a Democrat, there's a chance that his refreshing tendency to speak his mind, not parrot the polls, just might rub off on some of his authenticity-challenged Democratic colleagues. Wouldn't that be nice for a change!
3
Sep 08, 2008 at 08:47 PM I LOVE DP Says:
Thank you Mr. Governor. you always say it like it is.
4
Sep 08, 2008 at 10:29 PM political analyst Says:
he speaks his mind- most people do. it's just unusual for an elected official to do so. patterson wasn't elected to this job, he inherited it.
5
Sep 08, 2008 at 10:13 PM mikey Says:
So will he cut the bloated NYS budget and tax rates and let us keep some of our blood?
Not.
6
Sep 08, 2008 at 11:53 PM Anonymous Says:
I like Paterson, he has made it easier to get health insurance and fight tickets. He understands the people.