Anybody care to wager on how long this last?

Lawmakers thought of Eliot Spitzer as if he were an abusive parent whose spittle-flecked tirades masked deep insecurities and personal demons. They resented him, rebelled, and flouted his will. Initially, they feared him. Then they laughed at him. In the end, they felt sorry for him.David Paterson is the cool parent. He’s been there in their shoes. He can relate. He had problems with money, women, and drugs and isn’t pretending otherwise. Lawmakers know that despite his fancy governor’s mansion address, he’s still one of them at heart. He’s not really governor as much as he is the Legislature’s representative in the executive chamber.

A senator for more than two decades, Mr. Paterson feels their election-year pain, sympathizes with their fear of budget cuts, and, when they seriously get out of line, gently nudges them toward fiscal responsibility.

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