Paterson sworn in as New York's governor

ALBANY, N.Y., March 17 (UPI) -- David Paterson, New York's first black governor, took the oath as the state's leader Monday, succeeding Eliot Spitzer, who resigned amidst a sex scandal.

Spitzer, whose resignation was effective Monday, left the office after his link to a high-priced prostitution ring was revealed.

Cheers interrupted the swearing in, prompting Chief Judge Judith Kaye to quip, "Not yet." The oath was nearly drowned by eruption of applause and chants of "David, David, David."

"Let me re-introduce myself," said Paterson, the popular former minority leader of the state Senate, "I am David Paterson and I am the governor of New York state."

In his 12-minute inaugural address, the state's 55th governor warned "our economy appears to be headed toward crisis," and called for a bipartisan effort of unity and hope, The New York Times reported.

Paterson, who is legally blind, displayed a sense of humor as he poked fun at state legislative leaders and himself.

A political who's who attended Paterson's swearing-in, including former governors George Pataki and Hugh Carey, as well as the state's congressional delegation, including Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. Hillary Clinton, who broke away from campaigning to be the Democratic presidential nominee to attend the ceremony.