Whiny Paterson Plays the Victim

The rumors of his rampant womanizing and drug use are all Eliot Spitzer's fault, apparently. Nothing like maintaining your dignity, Dave.

Gov. Paterson has a new scapegoat for the breathless rumors of womanizing and drug use that have dogged him the past few weeks - Eliot Spitzer.

Nearly two years after Spitzer abruptly resigned as governor amid a hooker scandal, Paterson told CNN's Larry King on Thursday night that his recent problems are "a carry over from that situation."

"I think that's actually victimized me," he said.

Our state had a change in leadership in a rather shocking way a couple of years ago and I think people still have a sort of sensitivity to that."

As a result, he said, "people would tend to believe anything they hear these days."

Paterson repeatedly called his having to deal with the rumors a distraction from the fiscal problems the state is facing.

But he has gone on a publicity tour the past four days to address them. At an event in Queens before his CNN appearance, Paterson said he will continue to fight back.

"This time they are messing with the wrong hombre," he said.

It's time to go, hombre.