Posted on June 30, 2009

Dave Is a ‘Coke Snorting, Staff-Banging Governor,’ Says Sen. Parker–Who Is Facing Assault Charge

Kenneth Lovett and Glenn Blain, New York Daily News, June 26, 2009

Albany’s dysfunctional follies veered further into the inane on Thursday: Gov. Paterson cut off some Senate pay, a lawmaker branded the governor a “coke snorting” womanizer and the Senate–once again–accomplished nothing.

The only sign of progress in ending the impasse that began June 8 with a Republican-led coup was that warring senators agreed not to battle for the gavel.

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Among the day’s lowlights:

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* Democrats blasted the governor for keeping them in Albany day after day and hot-headed Sen. Kevin Parker called Paterson a “coke snorting, staff-banging governor.” Paterson has admitted youthful drug use and several extra-marital affairs.

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The Senate has been paralyzed since a GOP-led leadership coup on June 8 that included dissident Democrats Pedro Espada Jr. and Hiram Monserrate (D-Queens).

Monserrate has since switched back to the Democrats, leaving the Senate deadlocked at 31-31.

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“We acknowledge . . . we have brought obviously a lot of disrespect to this institution,” Espada said.

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Parker, who is under indictment for felony assault, said lawmakers don’t need a “coke snorting, staff-banging governor to lecture us about behavior in government.”

He was unapologetic about the attack.

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