2006: Pataki's Final Year
Governor Pataki gave his 12th and final State of the State address this afternoon in Albany. NY1 provides coverage for this afternoon's speech. The speech did provide some old favorites, as NY1 states:
"As expected, Pataki promised further tax cuts, including income, school and property tax cuts and rebates and cuts aimed at easing the burden on small businesses."
Pataki speaking to New York.
It was not a speech that would provide a springboard for any presidential run Pataki might make. At the end of this day, this speech was rather forgettable. Certainly it was nothing that would remain in anyone's mind much longer after the speech was given. Pataki had a unique chance to give a speech that would cement his legacy and help his bid, given that this was a final State of the State address of his choosing, since he will not run for a fourth term as Governor.
NY1's Rita Nissan gave a big yawn to Pataki's speech on Inside City Hall tonight. She said it was a speech that was full of glowing rhetoric with a view to the rest of the country for when he launches a presidential bid. Also mentioned was that the speech was filled with promises from years past and that his State of the State speeches have not changed much since his first address in 1995.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver gave the response to the address, attacking Pataki for the past 11 years in office:
"For 11 years, through the highs and the lows, New Yorkers have endured an administration that has been defined by a reluctance to lead; an administration unable to back its rhetoric, and unwilling to conduct its business in the sunlight of public scrutiny," Silver said. (Provided by NY1)
Silver is right in that Pataki has been a failure in leadership recently. Whether he has been a failed leader earlier in his administration is for others to argue. However, if there is a lack of leadership from Governor Pataki, Sheldon Silver has failed to fill that void. It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Unable to fill the void in New York's leadership.
Silver is on Inside City Hall tonight, expanding on his response to Pataki's address. However, he and his counterpart in the State Senate, Joe Bruno, are major parts of the problem. It may make no difference who the next Governor of New York will be come next year. The problems that plague the state's leadership will not be cleared until these two men make an effort to fix things or step aside in favor of people who will.
Silver has just cited the transit strike as Exhibit A of Pataki's failed leadership. Again, Silver is correct. However, where was Silver in pushing the Governor to do something? What good is he doing by only bringing this up now, nearly two weeks after the strike ended? Silver can cement his own legacy if he took the initiative to create a better government for New York. He's certainly in the position to help make those changes.
It is a pox on all their houses, from the Governor to the Legislature leaders and everyone that makes the state government what it is and not what it could be. It is rather unfortunate that this is the case.
"As expected, Pataki promised further tax cuts, including income, school and property tax cuts and rebates and cuts aimed at easing the burden on small businesses."
Pataki speaking to New York.
It was not a speech that would provide a springboard for any presidential run Pataki might make. At the end of this day, this speech was rather forgettable. Certainly it was nothing that would remain in anyone's mind much longer after the speech was given. Pataki had a unique chance to give a speech that would cement his legacy and help his bid, given that this was a final State of the State address of his choosing, since he will not run for a fourth term as Governor.
NY1's Rita Nissan gave a big yawn to Pataki's speech on Inside City Hall tonight. She said it was a speech that was full of glowing rhetoric with a view to the rest of the country for when he launches a presidential bid. Also mentioned was that the speech was filled with promises from years past and that his State of the State speeches have not changed much since his first address in 1995.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver gave the response to the address, attacking Pataki for the past 11 years in office:
"For 11 years, through the highs and the lows, New Yorkers have endured an administration that has been defined by a reluctance to lead; an administration unable to back its rhetoric, and unwilling to conduct its business in the sunlight of public scrutiny," Silver said. (Provided by NY1)
Silver is right in that Pataki has been a failure in leadership recently. Whether he has been a failed leader earlier in his administration is for others to argue. However, if there is a lack of leadership from Governor Pataki, Sheldon Silver has failed to fill that void. It is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Unable to fill the void in New York's leadership.
Silver is on Inside City Hall tonight, expanding on his response to Pataki's address. However, he and his counterpart in the State Senate, Joe Bruno, are major parts of the problem. It may make no difference who the next Governor of New York will be come next year. The problems that plague the state's leadership will not be cleared until these two men make an effort to fix things or step aside in favor of people who will.
Silver has just cited the transit strike as Exhibit A of Pataki's failed leadership. Again, Silver is correct. However, where was Silver in pushing the Governor to do something? What good is he doing by only bringing this up now, nearly two weeks after the strike ended? Silver can cement his own legacy if he took the initiative to create a better government for New York. He's certainly in the position to help make those changes.
It is a pox on all their houses, from the Governor to the Legislature leaders and everyone that makes the state government what it is and not what it could be. It is rather unfortunate that this is the case.
posted by Will at 7:29 PM
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