When David Paterson became governor in 2008, he had little warning. The news flash Eliot Spitzer had been linked to a prostitution ring seemed too surreal to even comprehend. 

Days later, Paterson was elevated to the job. And then he had to put a state budget together. 

Paterson, in other words, did not have the same relative luxury of Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is set to become governor in 12 days. 

"She will have time. As they say, hire slowly and fire fast," Paterson said in a Capital Tonight interview on Thursday. "She will be able to find the right people. I just didn't have the time and I paid the price for it."

Paterson's governorship was a challenge from the beginning. The state budget that March got done, but soon New York was swept up in a historic recession that led to tough choices for New York's finances. Paterson, too, would be investigated by the then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, which ultimately led to him not seeking a full term. 

"I would have run for re-election, but I didn't think I could defend myself against the charges, run the state and at the same time be campaigning," Paterson said. 

Cuomo had the ability to govern well, racking up a series of accomplishments, Paterson said. 

"His governance was spectacular. Now, his management and interaction with others left a lot to be desired — toxic atmosphere in the workplace. Everybody that worked there knows that," Paterson said. "He had an antagonistic, bullying sort of reputation. Staff would call up people and yell at them over the slightest thing they didn't like."

Paterson, too, felt bullied by the governor's office. Once in 2011, Paterson was poised to march in a pride parade following the legalization of same-marriage in New York, a signature accomplishment for Cuomo.  

"The governor's staff showed up and asked us to leave," Paterson said. 

Then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg spotted Paterson and tried to get him to join the parade. 

"Once you're kicked out, you don't really want to come back," he said. 

Cuomo's decision to step down by Aug. 24 came after months of sexual harassment allegations were leveled against him, and a report issued by Attorney General Letitia James's office found 11 women's claims were credible. 

Paterson believes Cuomo handled the crisis poorly when he first addressed the allegations in March. 

"He didn't apologize for anything. When you apologize, you have to give something when you demonstrate there was some wrongdoing on your part," Paterson said. "Whenever you have a sentence with nine commas, you lose credibility."

And Cuomo's decision to step down, in part, is a striking turnaround for a governor who has seemingly relished a fight given the chance. 

"He has trouble admitting he's ever done anything wrong," Paterson said.  

As for the new administration now taking shape in Albany, Paterson suggested Hochul could do something historic and select a woman for the job.

"I think it would be remarkable if she were to choose a woman," Paterson said. "It would make New York the first state in the country to have a number one and a number two in government be women. Particularly against the backdrop of why this situation occurred in the first place, I think it would be masterful."

Hochul, who will be the first governor from Buffalo since Grover Cleveland in the 19th Century, has indicated she will likely pick a lieutenant governor from downstate and possibly a person of color.

Hochul is able to do so in large part because of the legal road paved by Paterson. In 2009, Paterson sought to end a leadership struggle in the state Senate by appointing his own lieutenant governor, Richard Ravitch. The appointment was ultimately upheld following a legal challenge.