By Bert Gambini
New York, NY – African-American Democratic leaders met for a few hours in Harlem Thursday night to discuss the recent turmoil swirling around Governor David Paterson.
The Reverend Al Sharpton said most at the meeting felt that Paterson should stay in office, a feeling echoed by former New York City Mayor David Dinkins. Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson could not attend the meeting because of a previous commitment, but he too said there's no reason for Paterson to resign.
Former State Comptroller H. Carl McCall, however, says the situation has changed greatly since the group's previous meeting on Sunday. Though stopping short of saying Paterson should step down, McCall did say with budget negotiations looming, it is time to for a new assesment.
Also Thursday, the top spokesman for Governor David Paterson resigned, saying he couldn't "in good conscience continue" in his job. Peter Kauffmann becomes the third key administration member to jump ship as the governor faces two misconduct investigations and increasing calls for him to quit.
Kauffmann's testimony and e-mails were critical in a charge by the state Public Integrity Commission that Paterson illegally obtained World Series tickets, then lied about it.