The calls for New York Gov. David Paterson to resign are growing louder as his role in his aide's domestic violence case becomes more clear and even as some of his colleagues say race is playing a role in how Paterson is being treated.

The New York Times is reporting that the New York chapter of National Organization for Women is saying that Paterson's intervention in his top aide's domestic violence case was "inappropriate and disappointing." The group was once a Paterson supporter.

The continued calls for Paterson's resignation comes as the New York Times reports that Paterson directed two employees to call the woman who his aide David Johnson is accused of abusing.

According to the Times:

Mr. Paterson instructed his press secretary, Marissa Shorenstein, to ask the woman to publicly describe the episode as nonviolent, according to a third person, who was briefed on the matter. That description would contradict the woman's accounts to the police and in court. Mr. Paterson also enlisted another state employee, Deneane Brown, a friend of both the governor and the accuser, to make contact with the woman before she was due in court to finalize an order of protection against the aide, David W. Johnson, the two people with direct knowledge said. Ms. Brown, an employee of the Division of Housing and Community Renewal, reached out to the woman on more than one occasion over a period of several days and arranged a phone call between the governor and the woman, Mr. Johnson's companion.

The woman did not show up for court after her conversations with the governor and his staff.

"This latest news is very disappointing for those of us who believed the governor was a strong advocate for women's equality and for ending violence against women," Marcia A. Pappas, the president of the New York City chapter of NOW told the Times. "We at the National Organization for Women-New York State believe that in spite of the governor's heretofore excellent record on women's issues, it is now time for the governor to step down."

Some of Paterson's Democratic colleagues say they think race is a factor in calls for the governor to transfer power or step down.One white state senator called for Paterson to transfer his power to develop the state budget to his lieutenant governor.

"You do have to raise the question: Why hasn't there been an outcry of this magnitude previously?" said Senator Eric Adams, a black Democrat from Brooklyn who has been highly critical of those calling for the governor's resignation told the Times. "This is not the first time a governor has been under scrutiny. This is not the first time a governor has been investigated. To prematurely call for him to have his powers circumvented or have him removed, I think it's unfair."

Paterson has said he will not resign and that he will use the roughly 10 months left in his term to work on the problems of New York, which include a severe budget deficit. Without the pressure of reelection and politics, Paterson said he can maneuver better and make the tough decisions.

I'm not sure that is going to be so easy with the continued specter of more revelations and the state Attorney General's investigation. These problems may be a major distraction if Paterson has to defend himself from possible legal ramifications.

A Marist College poll said 66 percent of voters want Paterson to finish his term and 28 percent want him to resign his office. However, 62 percent do not believe Paterson can be an effective leader.

"When it comes to Governor Paterson resigning from office, New Yorkers are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt," says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. "But, regarding his ability to govern effectively, voters have plenty of doubts."

Thus far, Paterson has refused to answer detailed questions about his role in the aide's case. If Paterson wants to continue to govern, he may need to come clean.