Paterson Admits Past Cocaine Use
David Paterson is still adding to his string of confessions.
“I tried it a couple of times,” he said in an interview with NY1 News, when asked if he had ever used cocaine.
It was his first television interview since he became governor last week.
Host Dominic Carter asked Paterson a number of questions about past drug use. The governor also admitted he has used marijuana, but added that he has not touched illegal drugs since his early twenties.
Carter asked a similar series of questions during the 2006 gubernatorial campaign. Both Eliot Spitzer and Tom Suozzi said they had tried marijuana.
Paterson told Carter he spoke publicly about past drug use when he was Spitzer's running mate in 2006.
UPDATE: Here's the exchange:
Dominic Carter: You have?
David Paterson: Yes
Dominic Carter: Marijuana?
David Paterson: Yes
Dominic Carter: Cocaine?
David Paterson: Yes
Dominic Carter: You used cocaine governor?
David Paterson: I'd say I was 22 or 23, I tried it a couple of times, yes.
Dominic Carter: When is the last time that -- is that the only time you've tried cocaine, governor?
David Paterson: Yeah, around that time, a couple of times and marijuana, probably, when I was about 20. I don't think I've touched marijuana since the late 70s.
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Time to R E S I G N
Its about time everyone realizes that politicians are human and, YES, they have (and still do, on occasion) use drugs, and when life's burdens get overwhelming the might actually use a prostitute or 420, and, they might even get drunk, watch porno on the internt and then go beat off in the shower. I mean,The Catholic church is awash in child molesting priests for goodness sake, so, put things in perspective people, and loose the phony 'shock and awe' when you find out an elected (soon to be corrupt) official ain't the Virgin Mary and Snow White (or Jesus) in real life. WHEW! Cut the man a break or 5.
Clearly 2 completely unqualified, reprehensible, irresponsible individuals were voted into office in NY State. Illegal narcotic use, illicit affairs with subordinates resulting in promotion for those subordinates? What else can we expect from the Hier to the NY Throne? What hyprocrisy awaits us tomorrow? How embarassing - NY should request good old Marion Berry to come on up with a score and share the white pipe with this clown and his predecessor.
Dear God,
Why do we care?
Enough of this "gotcha" politics - can we judge our leaders based on their leadership ability rather than their compliance with prohibition-era drug policies?
Honestly, who cares what the hell they've done in their personal past or still do, in which case hopefully it's unbeknownst to the public. Like another said, they're human, so get off your high horse and look at what they've accomplished in office, if anything, good or bad. People are so blatantly naive, narrow-minded and stupid. Time to wake up. It's not like politicians are any child's role model anyways.
there's probably not a Democrat alive who has not had affairs, used prostitutes, marijuana and/or cocaine -- it's what they do -- there's big money to be made in the illicit sex and drug market, both distributing and 'combating' distribution -- it's like 'fighting' cancer or AIDS -- big money in searching for the cure, not so much if such a cure is actually found -- New Yorkers need look no further than their mirrors to see the root of the problem.
I expect our politicians to be above the law and above reproach. People, it does matter what they do in their private life. We have enough whores and drugs addicts, but only one president and 50 governors. Come on, are you telling me we cannot get better people than this? Do we need to start outsourcing these jobs?
I do care that he used drugs in the past and whored around. This shows a person who has no strength.
Judging by a lot of these comments, you get the sense that a lot of the posters are drug addicts, adulterers or use government funds for trysts with whores based on the amount of excuses they float for the morons they voted into office. For all of you 'non-judgemental' types: remember these sorts of comments when someone you hate with a burning passion falls from grace before heaping abuse upon them and calling for their public destruction (yeah, right, I know: not a chance in Hell of that happening--hypocrisy, after all, isn't just for politicians, right?)
I kinda look up to the guy for being honest and upfront despite all of the media attention. I mean, hell, I am a young professional who is on a fast track to the top of a publicly traded company. I graduated college with a very high GPA and had several job offers. I consider myself well educated and properly raised. Despite all of this, I will not lie - I have been like any other teenager and tried drugs before. Does that make me a bad person? If I was still a pot head or coke addict, maybe .... but I am not. I learned from my experiences, and it has made me a better person. Big deal if he tried it when he was in high school or college. At least he was honest about it. If you are looking for a politician, a boss, a friend, or anyone who is a saint who has never cussed, drank, tried drugs, or watched porno .... well, you are in for a surprise and a very lonely life.
This guy is a real poster boy and role model! What a shame that we have lost our moral compass and have travelled this far off course.
Hey Ja Ja Moe,
Give ME a break. People who are elected or appointed as leaders are supposed to lead by example. It's people with bleeding hearts that have caused the breakdown of character and values.
Yes it's true the Catholic Church had some problems (blown out of proportion by the media) involving less than one percent of it's clergy, but those few that were involved have been dealt with and from that experience, policies have been implemented to prevent that from ever happening again.
As far as immoral and criminal behavior of legislators and politicians goes, laws should be enacted with mandatory severe sentences (as in throw away the key) to be served, restitution of money used or obtained illegally , along with automatic forfeiture of pensions and positions and ban them from ever serving in government or politics again.
So keep drinking that beer, watch TV and go take a shower Ja Ja Moe.
Pay attention to who is next in line - Joseph Bruno, GOP NY Senator. Bruno who was pressured into firing Roger Stone some 7-8 months ago for allegedly threatening Spitzer's 83-year old father last year via answering machine.... The SAME Roger Stone who orchestrated the 'Brooks Brothers Riot' in the Florida 2000 election. The SAME Roger Stone who notified the FBI for Spitzer's use of high-priced hookers while 'wearing calf-high black socks'.
If character assassination, fake riots, cheated elections, war, etceter-f***ing-a is the GOP's preferred method for grubbing power, I'll stick with the flawed sinners wallowing in the wake of their wicked wagging fingers.
This guy is starting to make Spitzer look good!
Candor is good. Cocaine use is/was/will be everywhere. David Paterson's copping to it puts him ahead of the curve, like he and his wife admitting their affairs did. That he did coke doesn't bother me, shouldn't bother anybody. Lots of us did and we're still around. If you didn't do it in the '80s, you moved in pretty closed circles.
WHO CARES!!!!!!! SINCE WHEN WERE POLITICIANS EXPECTED TO BE CLEAN SLATE, NON-HUMAN INDIVIDUALS??? STUPID MEDIA BLOW EVERYTHING OUT OF PROPORTION IN ORDER TO GET THEIR STORY AND RATINGS.