Cutzilla Attacks New York

Posted By Josh Goodman | March 10, 2010

Which would win in a fight, a demon sheep or Cutzilla? That's all I can think about after watching this ad from New York's hospital industry.

(Hat tip: Liz Benjamin)

If I may intrude with a non-hilarious point, one thing most national observers probably don't realize is the extent to which the budget situation contributed to New York Gov. David Paterson's unpopularity.

Paterson became unpopular early last year, soon after the Caroline Kennedy Senate appointment fiasco. His popularity never has recovered. But, the Senate appointment wasn't the only thing going on then. Paterson also was being blistered for budget cuts. Here's an Associated Press article from February of 2009 about Paterson's falling numbers:

But another big factor is the millions of dollars of TV and radio ads by the health care industry and public employee unions saying Paterson is trying to close hospitals, cut off medical services for the needy, and lay off their workers.

"The commercials against the governor's budget proposals are having an impact," said Steven Greenberg, spokesman for the Siena poll. "More than 80 percent of voters are concerned that the proposed budget cuts in health and education would adversely affect the quality of health care and education in New York."

Now, we're seeing the attacks all over again, as evidenced by Cutzilla. Of course, Paterson isn't just an innocent victim of interest group attacks. He's also done plenty of things to make himself unpopular.

Josh Goodman

Josh Goodman is a former staff writer for GOVERNING..

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Twitter: @governing

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