DENVER—New York Gov. David Paterson on Tuesday gave the Democratic National Convention some of the same bad economic news he’s been dishing out to home state audiences—only this time he suggested a savior in Barack Obama.
Paterson, who is grappling with a state budget crisis caused largely by the reversal of fortunes on Wall Street, laid the blame for the current economic problems squarely with George Bush.
A million homes lost to foreclosure since last summer. Declining wages coupled with high inflation. Almost half a million lost jobs this year.
The doom-and-gloom litany has become something of a calling card for Paterson, who made similar points during a speech in Washington last month.
Like other governors who spoke Tuesday, Paterson charged Republican Arizona Sen. John McCain is a disciple of Bush economic policies who would, if elected, offer four more years of similar problems.
“I have a better idea,” Paterson said. “Let’s give them four more months and then elect Barack Obama.”
The governor, who is legally blind, told his story of how he lost most of his sight to an infection as an infant but persevered and ascended to the governor’s mansion of the Empire State.
“I am always aware of how lucky I am,” he said. “There were people I knew who were smarter than me. There were those who worked harder and perhaps were more dedicated. But for the lack of opportunity, one of them would be standing here talking to you this evening.”
Successes like his own, he said, are becoming more difficult because of Republican policies.
The governor’s afternoon speech came to a largely empty auditorium hours before appearances by keynote speaker Mark Warner and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. The governors were given short blocs; some prepared remarks were only a page.
“Thank you, my time is up,” Paterson joked when the scantly filled auditorium loudly applauded his arrival.
