ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ New York Lieutenant Governor David Paterson
is planning to strike a tone of confidence and optimism when he
takes over as governor today.
Paterson will be sworn in and address the state legislature
about an hour after Eliot Spitzer formally resigns. Spitzer is
stepping down amid allegations he spent tens of thousands of
dollars on high-priced prostitutes.
An aide says Paterson will acknowledge that it's been a tough
week for the state but will urge Republicans and his fellow
Democrats to work together to tackle the state budget and other
pressing issues
Paterson becomes New York's first black governor and the
country's first legally blind chief executive to serve more than a
few days.
On Friday, Paterson called his position a ``daunting'' one, but
added that the state has ``a job to do.''