NY Gov. Paterson’s wife is resilient in waning days
VIDEO - While her husband battles it out with lawmakers trying to get a budget passed, Michelle Paterson is reflecting on her time as the first lady of New York state...
In about six months personal items — including pictures, like one of the president and ‘first lady’ will be packed away, as the ‘first couple’ of New York David and Michelle Paterson prepare to depart the governor’s mansion.
Those memories will include the day it all began back in 2008-when the former governor stepped down in a prostitution scandal and then Lieutenant Governor Paterson took over.
“We came in, in a whirlwind this was not expected and we had to meet the task,” Michelle said.
But the honeymoon would be brief and the ‘bare knuckle-no holds barred’ battle between the legislature and the governor began.
Like many New Yorkers, Michelle Paterson watched and says the barbs about the governor were painful.
“It really does-it really does hurt me when i hear these things but like i said i believe history will tell our story.”
And what does the ‘first lady’ think history will say about her husband?
“History will say David is a great governor he’s making the hard decisions none of the other elected officials want to do.”
A decision that was ‘not’ hard for this mom of two was to continue working after becoming ‘first lady.’
“It was a little challenging-working and keeping all the responsibilities as first lady, but i think all women know how to juggle and are multi taskers.”
And she says we are witnessing daily how women are succeeding-but not all women.
“We don’t get equal pay for equal work and so we still have some ways to go.”
But what will be coming to an end.
Is her life in politics.
“It’s mixed feeling it was great having this experience and being in this role but I actually look forward to being a private citizen again.”
