This is whack. The Governor ought to have this power but he DOES NOT have it in NY (and Illinois and probably other states). This appointment does not have the force of law.
I wonder if Patterson keeps a copy of NY Constitution at the bottom of his John.
Perhaps Paterson’s action is staged by the NY Dems. If gives Cuomo a convient excuse to primary Paterson and not get the wrath of Al Sharpton for knocking off a black governor.