Paterson: Paladino unfit for public service

Gov. David A. Paterson sharply criticized Republican gubernatorial nominee Carl Paladino yesterday, calling him unfit for public service and questioning his integrity and character.

Paterson, a Democrat, is not seeking re-election. He made the comments at a breakfast forum hosted by The Wall Street Journal, where he shared the stage with his two predecessors, Republican George Pataki and Democratic Eliot Spitzer.

Paterson said he understands Paladino's anger over taxes and government excess and noted that those feelings are shared by many voters in New York and elsewhere, evidenced by the success of tea party-backed candidates in major races across the country. But Paterson warned against allowing such anger to feed into the "shrill and . . . pedestrian antics of individuals who are unqualified to hold office at all, let alone be governor or United States senator."

Of Paladino, Paterson said, "I don't think he is fit for public service."

Spitzer, who stepped down as governor after 14 months amid revelations he'd been consorting with prostitutes, said he "absolutely" agrees with Paterson's assessment of Paladino.

Paladino, a Buffalo real estate developer, trounced rival Rick Lazio in Tuesday's GOP primary with a fiery pledge to cut spending and "take a baseball bat" to Albany. Paladino will face Democrat Andrew Cuomo, the state Attorney General, in November.

Paladino spokesman Michael Caputo issued a statement criticizing Paterson's remarks, noting the governor has been investigated for taking free World Series tickets and intervening in a domestic violence case involving a top aide.

"David Paterson is addled, and nearly all New Yorkers are counting down the days until he stops embarrassing this state," Caputo said.

Since launching his campaign last spring, Paladino has grabbed headlines with a series of blunt and at times intemperate comments.

Now, Paladino is sending out landfill-scented campaign materials that slam Democrats. "Something STINKS in Albany," the mailer says.