Analysis: Paterson speech was out of character
August 31st, 2008Michael Gormley, AP capitol editor in Albany, writes in Newsday that New York Governor David Paterson’s speech at the Democratic convention was a “rare and serious foray for Paterson into the topic of disabilities.” Paterson, who is legally blind, spoke about the need for supports for people with disabilities.
Paterson has traditionally avoided all the familiar cliches about inspiration and overcoming adversity, and has also avoided mentioning his disability except in jest. Instead, he has focused on using his considerable intelligence and memory to leave Albany power brokers “in the dust.”
In recent years, however, Paterson has realized that “pretending he wasn’t blind didn’t help those who were.”
Related post here: Disability wasn’t Paterson’s choice for convention speech topic
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on Sunday, August 31st, 2008 at 8:20 am and is filed under blindness/visual impairments, commentary, language, politics, public attitudes.
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