Paterson makes political gamble with marriage bill

As the debate over marriage for same-sex couples continues to heat up in New York, some Albany insiders contend Gov. David Paterson's decision to introduce legislation last week amounts to a politically risky gamble.

Paterson has long supported nuptials for gay and lesbian couples, but he remains unpopular going into a possible 2010 gubernatorial campaign. One commentator who asked to remain anonymous argued the governor introduced the marriage bill to solidify his base.

"He's trying to get his liberal base back into good graces and shore up progressives because [they were] pissed by [U.S. Sen. Kirsten] Gillibrand," the source said.

Observers and pundits alike widely panned Paterson for the way he handled the process to select Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's successor in the U.S. Senate earlier this year. State Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., [D-Bronx] has also criticized Paterson for introducing the bill.

Erica Gonzalez, opinion page editor for El Diario/La Prensa told EDGE she feels Paterson could potentially alienate some religious Latinos who oppose marriage for same-sex couples. She added, however, she feels the economy and other bread and butter issues continue to concern the majority of her readers.

Activist Andr?s Duque was quick to downplay any potential impact Diaz may have. He further argued Paterson's continued unpopularity among New Yorkers-and not his support of marriage for gays and lesbians-will remain a factor going into next year's gubernatorial campaign.

"For him [Paterson] it's not necessarily putting himself at risk because he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't," Duque said.

A recent Siena College poll found 53 percent of New Yorkers surveyed indicate they support marriage for same-sex couples. The state Assembly passed a bill introduced by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer in 2007. And Gillibrand, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg are among those who have indicated they support nuptials for gays and lesbians.

State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith [D-St. Albans, Queens] also supports marriage for same-sex couples, but he maintains Paterson's bill does not have enough votes among his membership.

A Smith aide told EDGE he supports the proposed legislation. He added, however, he wants to make sure Paterson's bill has enough votes before he brings it before the full Senate.

"He's doing it in a casual and careful way," the aide said. "It's not really about the governor. He's made it clear what he wants to do. It's now up to Malcolm."