The Blind Succeeding the Blind

Our current, beleaguered governor is well known for being not-not-blind. But did you know that, were he to resign, his successor would also be one of us?

Richard Ravitch is best known for helping New York City out of its fiscal crisis in the 1970's and for cleaning up the state's transit system in the 80's. He also had a brief stint as the owner's rep during the scandalous Major League Baseball strike that canceled the 1994 World Series (which the Yankees surely would have won, by the way). Many also know him as a long-standing member of the state's business community, and he even ran for mayor back in 1988, when David Dinkins defeated him in the primary and went on to beat Rudy Giuliani, who later beat Dinkins... but let's stay on track, shall we?

Few New Yorkers are aware of the fact that Governor Paterson recently appointed Ravitch as the Lieutenant Governor of New York. (Paterson was himself the Lieutenant Governor; when he succeeded Spitzer, the position was left vacant.) This means that Ravitch would take over for Paterson. He wasn't elected, but then again, Paterson wasn't elected governor, and that's how the system works. Simple enough.

But even fewer New Yorkers are aware of the surprising link between Paterson and Ravitch: namely, their shared disability. Ravitch has suffered from adult-onset macular degeneration (the "old" version of my condition) since he turned 69, and his vision has been affected ever since. He was one of the lucky ones who got treated right away, but he no longer drives his own car, and he hires private aides to read the newspaper. Just like Paterson.

True, Ravitch spent most of his life as a fully sighted adult -- neither Paterson nor I can say that -- but it's still good to know that we'll still have representation in Albany. I was worried that there wouldn't be any blind people running things in the state government, and that the whole thing might become completely dysfunctional. Phew.

News of Ravitch's condition hasn't spread yet. It was reported today in the New York Herald Tribune, if you want to read more. (Sorry, can't find the link.) There's also speculation that Spitzer, Pataki, and the late Al Smith may have also couldn't see straight, but no evidence... yet.