Politics

ALBANY (CBS) ― Just one week ago, no one knew of the political bombshell that would bring down New York's governor. After seven days of allegations, investigations and ultimatums, comes the culmination of it all: the resignation of Eliot Spitzer and ascent to power of now New York's 55th governor and the first black leader of the state, David Paterson.

Paterson was sworn in Monday afternoon in Albany to a chorus of exuberant cheers and applause, and after excitedly introducing those closest to him, professed the importance of this great day in his life.

"This transition today is an historic message to the world that we live among the same values that we profess and that we are a government of laws and not individuals," he said.

His inaugural speech set a distinctly different tone then that of his predecessor Eliot Spitzer. Paterson used humor to try and unite politicians from both sides of the aisle to create a sorely needed sense of assurance to deal with the serious issues the state is facing as a result of last week's scandal. 

His speech was all business sprinkled with flashes of the governor's humor, as when he joked about being invited to have lunch with Republican Senate Majority Leader and now second in line, Joe Bruno.

"Joe Bruno was kind enough to ask me to have lunch with him but I'm going to bring a taster."

Lawmakers past and present, including presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
and governors from three neighboring states, erupted into a two-minute standing ovation after Paterson took the oath of office in the ornate, standing-room only Assembly Chamber.

He was sworn in by Chief Judge Judith Kaye, who became chief judge when Sol Wachtler, the former head of the state's highest court, was caught up in a sex scandal.

Paterson has gone from relative obscurity to being sworn in Monday as the state's chief executive. And he's already exercising some of his new responsibilities – on Saturday he spoke on scene at the Manhattan crane collapse that left seven people dead.

Sunday night he appeared at a party thrown in his honor in Albany. After celebrating with black elected officials, Paterson was all smiles on the eve of his swearing in.

"I feel good," Paterson told CBS 2 HD. "It's St. Patrick's Day."

Then, on a serious note, he addressed the challenges ahead - an April 1st budget deadline and a massive deficit.

"I really want to bring this state together. We have an immense financial issue that we have to deal with in this budget, and we don't have a second to waste," Paterson said.

It's not exactly take two of Spitzer's promised "Day One," but for many New Yorkers it will be a welcome fresh start after a week of having details of Spitzer's sordid activities seep gradually into the open.

In his inaugural speech Monday, Paterson talked about the challenging road ahead when he wasn't making the entire audience burst out in laughter.

"It's Monday and there's work to be done. There's a budget that needs to be passed and we will pass it," he said. "We need a plan to put New Yorkers back to work and we will provide it. We have to battle the obstacle of doubt and uncertainty and we shall overcome it."
 
He drew from personal experiences to draw parallels to the current political and socio-economic difficulties the state is facing.

"I am chagrined over the high cost of education for my family and the prohibitive cost of healthcare."

"We are looking at an economy that's reeling. I must say to everyone in government, to everyone in business, you must meet with me in the next couple of weeks adjust our budget accordingly," he said.

Paterson is no stranger to the spotlight, holding public office for more than 20 years and steadily rising to the state's second-in-command. But for most New Yorkers, the low key, low-profile Paterson has remained largely unknown.

Those who know him say he will not disappoint.

"He's the best kept secret in the state. He's an absolute jewel," said Assemblyman Keith Wright (D-Harlem). "He's served folks from Harlem and the state of New York admirably. He's a man with a vast amount of experience and he will serve us all extremely well."

Legally blind, Paterson has spent his life defying expectations to rise above the challenges presented by his blindness, though friends say it has forged his personality to be one of dogged determinations, it is just never mentioned.

Paterson says he spent much of his early life overcompensating for his disability, but now he is more willing accept help. He lost nearly all of his vision as an infant after an infection attacked his optic nerves.

After city teachers would only place him in special education classes, his family moved from New York City to Long Island where he could attend regular school. He went on to graduate from Columbia University and Hofstra Law School.

City Councilman David Weprin (D-Queens) met Paterson at Hofstra and volunteered to read him cases. He says he's always been impressed by Paterson's abilities.

"I would read to him, but he'd absorb the material better than I did, so I'd go back to reading to him to get his analysis of the various cases," he told CBS 2.

Ironically, Paterson never passed the bar exam. He says the test is not geared for the visually impaired.

But politics came naturally for Paterson.

He is descended from Harlem political royalty. His father, Basil Paterson, represented the same Senate district that his son would hold for 21 years.

Paterson rose to Minority Leader in the Senate, but stunned many when he gave up that post to run for lieutenant governor, a largely ceremonial job. But now, locals in his home district are happy to see one of their own make good.

"I think it's fantastic. I really think he's the person who could do it," says Harlem resident Lorraine Thomas. "He's taking out a lot of garbage that was left behind."

So where does Paterson stand on the issues?

A liberal, he supports abortion rights, gay marriage, and stem cell research; but he can be more liberal than most. He opposes the death penalty and supported and ill-fated measure to limit the use of deadly force by police. Some say as governor he'll need to broaden his agenda.

"He's going to have to find issues to deal with that are attractive to a variety of sections of the state and people within his own party. Everybody in the Democratic party up in Albany is not a liberal," said political expert Norman Adler.

Supporters say Paterson will be able to find common ground even with those on the other side of the aisle.

"I've had an excellent relationship with then Senator Paterson when he was Minority Leader," said Republican Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. "We've partnered on a number of things. We have an excellent relationship."

And though he is widely known as a nice guy, he's no pushover.

"David has a knack to bring people together, to be conciliatory. Do not mistake that for softness. He is as tough as they come," said former New York City Mayor David Dinkins.

(© 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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