Gov. Paterson Deals Race Cards

(Albany, New York) Apparently tired of seeing poor poll numbers, New York Governor David Paterson dealt out a whole tabletop of race cards during a rant yesterday on a radio program.

Gov. Paterson blamed a racist media Friday for trying to push him out of next year's election - launching into an angry rant that left even some black Democrats shaking their heads. [...]

He suggested that Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, the country's only other African-American governor, also is under fire because of his race.

"We're not in the post-racial period," Paterson said.

"The reality is the next victim on the list - and you can see it coming - is President Barack Obama, who did nothing more than trying to reform a health care system."

Correct me if I'm mistaken but couldn't this episode of race card dealing be considered a preemptive strike? Despite whether Paterson clarifies and ameliorates his remarks, racism has been put on the table to explain any potential failures by three high-ranking African-American politicians.

Forget about mismanagement or wrong-headed ideas or marginal competence being pegged for unpopularity, the skids are greased to blame racism. Claims that Gov. Paterson was remarking offhand while angry lack credibility. Paterson is an accomplished politician and accomplished politicians don't walk into media interviews without preparation.

Furthermore, it's not clear why Gov. Paterson dropped the names of Gov. Patrick and President Obama into the discussion nor is it known whether they were consulted beforehand. Patrick and Obama have entirely different sets of problems.

It does seem clear, however, that some African-American leaders who claim to want the racial divide in America erased are mighty quick on drawing out the race card when situations sour.

Tip: slwlion