Paterson Political Deathwatch

I suspect that if Governor David Paterson's conduct didn't rise to the level of obstruction of justice, that the dividing line is a pretty fine one.

Gov. David A. Paterson personally directed two state employees to contact the woman who had accused his close aide of assaulting her, according to two people with direct knowledge of the governor’s actions.

Mr. Paterson instructed his press secretary, Marissa Shorenstein, to ask the woman to publicly describe the episode as nonviolent, according to a third person, who was briefed on the matter. That description would contradict the woman’s accounts to the police and in court.

Resigning, hell, I wouldn't put a lot of money on his not being indicted. Obstruction of justice and/or witness tampering seem to be about right.

This isn't a matter of a powerful politician just trying to smoothing out a problem for a trusted aide, this is mucking around with the criminal justice system. If one of the Gambinos called up someone who was pressing charges against a lower-level lieutenant and "persuaded" the victim to not press the case, the goon would be charged. I don't see much a difference here.

Governor Paterson needs to step down.