The following post details my thoughts on New York Gov. David Paterson’s inaugural address (with video below). For a look at who I support for President, check out my post: Why I Support Barack Obama for President

In his swearing-in ceremony as Governor of New York, David Paterson gave an inspiring speech. While his specifics addressed the current needs of New York State, his words can truly be inspirational to a nation that is, on its whole, tired of dirty politics.

For those of you unaware, David Paterson assumed the role of Governor of New York State after former Governor, Eliot Spitzer, was forced to resign after a federal investigation found he was involved in a prostitution ring.

Personally, with a history of blindness in my family (my Grandfather, Aunt, and cousin all have a form of Retinitis Pigmentosa) what I find most inspiring in Gov. Paterson’s speech was not only his words, but also the fact that he became the nation’s first legally blind person to take the Oath of Office as Governor. Furthermore, he is New York’s first African American Governor.

Being legally blind, Gov. Paterson had to memorize all the words in the speech you see in the video below, an impressive feat in this day and age when most politicians rely on a teleprompter or prepared notes.

But what I found most inspiring about Gov. Paterson was the fact that as I watched him speak, I felt a genuine sense of care, passion, and overall grasping of the moment at hand. You can plainly see, as ironically he cannot, a man that did not have ambitions to obtain the office he now holds. He never ran a campaign, had to raise money, or make any back room deals with anyone to become Governor of New York. Yet, there is he, ready to lead the state, sounding as inspiring as a man who knew all along that this day may very well come. His words are empowering and inspiring, not all to unlike those of the Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama (More: Why I Support Barack Obama for President), who has captured a nation this past year with his bid for the White House.

Governor Paterson, may you lead this state well, and make all of those proud who are either black, blind, from New York, or otherwise tired of dirty, unproductive politics.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZl5JgRe_1s[/youtube]