Cut #1
"Good afternoon. This is obviously a painful day for all of New York. Now I think is the time to pray for the Spitzer
family, for his parents, for his wife, for his children. It’s also the time move forward with the people’s business. I think we can
reflect on some of the accomplishments in the short time Eliot Spitzer was the governor, I think we did a historic Worker’s
Comp reform bill that will go down clearly as one of the major accomplishments of the Spitzer administration. But as we move
forward with the people’s business I’ve known David Paterson for many years and I have been in continuous contact with him.
David Paterson’s intellect, his charisma, his experience in government, make him an ideal leader to guide us through the
difficult days ahead. The work before us is demanding and must be completed thoughtfully and expeditiously. I have every
confidence in David Paterson’s ability to lead us through the completion of those duties. I pledge to David on behalf of myself
and the Democratic Conference in the Assembly as he assumes the Office of Governor our full cooperation in moving ahead
with the tasks that will be upon him as he assumes that office," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Cut # 2
"I think David Paterson comes from the legislature and understands the workings of the legislature, I don’t think he needs
an orientation as to that. He can hit the ground running on Monday in dealing with the legislature and to that extent I think he is
best suited to pick up those pieces and move forward," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Cut #3
"I can tell you I know David Paterson, he has the intellectual capacity, he has the ability, the humor, the charisma and the
personality to be one of the finest Governors New York has ever had," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Cut #4
"I think that people of this state will move forward with us, with the new governor and look for us to make the
accomplishments that they elect officials to do. I think they look very much forward to us in terms of substantive issues; how we’re
going to deal with their health care, their educating their children, what are we are going to do about keeping jobs in New York State,
what are we going to do to help people who have been victims of the sub-prime mortgage crisis. That’s what the people of this
state are looking forward to. And they’re looking forward to their elected officials responding to those needs. That’s basically
where the people are," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Cut #5
"I’m confident that as we move forward into the Paterson administration, we will likewise have successes as well. I think
David is qualified. I think David is intellectually gifted and I think his personality reaches out to others in a different way. But, I
think it can and will accomplish very much on behalf of the people of the state of New York as well," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon
Silver.
|