Michael Steele and Governor Patterson - some thoughts on Governors and the head of the Republican party

What do these two men have in common, besides being politicians and African American?

Michael Steele commented in a statement this week that for someone earning one million dollars, after taxes are taken out, there is not much left. Is this man so out of touch with reality that he fails to be aware of the fact that the average salary in the county is a mere 40 thousand dollars - why is he so oblivious to the realities that face Americans - yes, those of us who do the "working and paying, the living and dying" to quote George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life.

Governor Patterson actually had the audacity to pull the proverbial race card - and to add insult to injury - the disability card - this week when questioned about sexual impropriety in the New York Governor's mansion and his alleged numerous illicit affairs - and we thought we were done with that when Spitzer left office.

Frankly speaking I have no respect for either of these men - that they are black and embarass me as a fellow black person is just par for the course and rubs salt in the proverbial wound.

I have maintained on this blog previously, that Spitzer should run again and certainly if Cuomo decides not to run after all. Eliot Spitzer is a brilliant and dedicated man with weaknesses - if he can work it out with his wife - note how this is done, John Edwards - then I say let the man run again and let the people of the great state of New York decide whom they would choose to lead them out of this financial crisis - maybe Mayor Bloomberg will have to run......After all, we cannot have a Republican Governor in the bluest of blue states - that would not be good after all.

Speaking of Governors - while I am sad to see NJ Governor Corzine go, a fiscally responsible Christie is mandating balanced budgets, as well as refusing to give subsidies to the railroad, insisting instead that they become - yes - imagine this - self-sustaining. He is doing well in my book.

And finally - the amazing friend and associate of mine from Utah - Peter Corroon - has put his hat in the ring to run against Governor Herbert who ascended to the Governorship when Obama neutralized Governor Huntsman by appointing him to his cabinet as trade ambassador to China. Peter will go far in politics - not just because he is Howard Dean's cousin and it is in his blood, but because he is fiscally responsible, moderate and could be the first Democrat elected to the Governorship in Utah in some two decades - go Peter!

New York politics - something new every day.

Kennedy missteps might not trip her up

Caroline Kennedy seems to be enduring the public media scrutiny well these days. She is learning about how fickle and difficult the press and public can be. Following is the link to an AOL news article posted today:

http://news.aol.com/article/kennedy-missteps-might-not-trip-her-up/287640

Mrs. Kennedy is learning in much the same way that Mrs. Clinton learned when she tried to sidestep her fellow New Yorkers, my own representative, Nita Lowey was among those vying for the seat that is now held by Hillary Clinton back in 2000.

Here is a Wikipedia paragraph about one of my most-admired NY women: "Lowey strongly considered running for the United States Senate in 2000, but stepped aside when First Lady of the United States Hillary Rodham Clinton announced her candidacy. Congresswoman Lowey was considered a top contender for appointment to Clinton's Senate seat after Clinton was nominated to be Secretary of State, but in a December 1st, 2008 phone interview with the Associated Press, she stated that she isn't interested in giving up her seniority seat on the House Appropriations Committee.[1]"

As you can see, Lowey has now been in this Hillary/Nita friendly skirmish twice. Ms. Lowey has decided not to run or make overtures for Senator Clinton's seat even though she stood a strong chance at winning it.

Caroline Kennedy now comes to the game late. That stated, at least she has been a resident of NY State proper for some years, and did not simply show up here, purchase a home, announce that she is running and expect all kinds of consideration as the former First Lady.

I really wish that Governor Patterson would appoint an interim person and let the chips fall where they may - that is, Caroline et al can campaign for a year and run for office properly in 2010.

I was recently at an open house and an attorney and I were discussing the general election. He spoke of "taking turns" and felt that Obama had stepped ahead of too many people. Nothing is promised or guaranteed in this life - the early bird gets the worm, no matter how long the other birds have been waiting for it.

Obama got the worm because he ran a phenomenal campaign and was well-prepared to address the needs and concerns of voters - I know this because I spent hours on the phone talking to voters in swing states - yes, I said swing states - I am sure you all recall how well he did in those states.

Had Obama lost that election to McCain, I cannot imagine him suing for a recount a la Coleman in Minnesota.

When will it end?