Cuomo's Replacement Seen as Fair by Most (Not NY Post)

Yesterday allies of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, as well as independent observers, had many nice things to say about the 71-year-old retired judge, who was appointed to the bench by Governor Mario Cuomo but has no experience as a prosecutor. Yet that's just what makes her so perfect for the job of investigating Governor David Paterson; her respected career on the bench will boost the probe's credibility, or so they say. "Regardless of what decision she reaches, her decision will be respected because of who she is and what she brings to the table," Alan Vinegrad, a former US attorney in Brooklyn, tells the Times.

Former Mayor Ed Koch also chimed in, telling the Daily News, "She is a person who is eminently fair by reputation. She has an extraordinary personality that I believe all parties that come before her can appreciate." During her 15 years on the bench, Kaye voted for gay marriage and against the death penalty, so of course the Post hates all this, describing her as "a woman... who has spent much time lately sweeping other people's dirt under rugs. She whitewashed the shady Working Families Party -- then provided cover for top State University brass, who'd been severely embarrassed by a basketball scandal at SUNY's Binghamton campus."

The Post also slammed Cuomo for recusing himself only now, speculating that he only stepped aside in response to polls, which Tuesday showed his approval rating had dropped 13 points in just a week, including a 22-point drop among nonwhite voters. Indeed, Cuomo told reporters yesterday, "I understand the political environment, and I understand the ferocity of politics in New York, and I understand that it is incredibly important to all of us that the public have 100 percent confidence that this investigation is being handled properly."

But Oscar Michelen, the lawyer for Paterson's top aide David Johnson, says Cuomo didn't go far enough, and should withdraw his staff members from the case. "After all, this investigation has been proceeding under his direction and control for some time," Michelen told the Times. "I believe it would have been more prudent and would have completely removed any specter of political motivation to have allowed Judge Kaye to take over with her own staff and team. I hope that he re-evaluates this decision and comes to the conclusion to do just that." Well, we'll see how Cuomo does in the polls in the next few days.