Is Governor Paterson getting a bum rap?

Our Albany correspondent Karen DeWitt reports this morning on Governor David Paterson’s persistently stagnant poll numbers.

Stagnant doesn’t do his popularity justice. People really dislike this governor. Polls show that even African Americans — once his most loyal constituents — have soured on his leadership.

So here’s my question: How come? What has Paterson done that New Yorkers don’t like?

Yes, he’s raising taxes and cutting services. The state is deep in debt.

Yes, he’s laying off union workers and mothballing prisons. Did I mention that the state is really, really deep in debt?

Are we voters guilty of shooting the messenger? Are we dising a courageous leader who’s making the hard but necessary choices?

And if you think Paterson really is a bum, what would you have a new governor — Cuomo? Giuliani? — do differently?

Comments welcome…