Obama: Do Not Stand Pat-erson
The New York Times reports today that Pres. Obama has asked NY Gov. David Paterson (D) to not run for election in '10. Paterson has suffered dismal poll ratings.
The decision to ask Mr. Paterson to step aside was proposed by political advisers to Mr. Obama, but approved by the president himself, one of the administration officials said."Is there concern about the situation in New York? Absolutely," the second administration official said Saturday evening. "Has that concern been conveyed to the governor? Yes."
The administration officials and the Democratic operative spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions with the governor were intended to be confidential.
The president's request was conveyed to the Mr. Paterson by Representative Gregory W. Meeks, a Queens Democrat, who has developed a strong relationship with the Obama administration, they said.
Sources told the Times that Paterson was "resistant" to the suggestion.
It was expected that sometime this fall, Paterson would be asked by Dems to step aside for a stronger nominee: AG Andrew Cuomo (D). Indeed, union leaders and Dem county chairs have met several times to discuss the situation. But with the specter of a top-tier GOP candidate, ex-NYC Mayor Rudy Giuiliani (R), entering the contest, Obama decided to make the surprising move.
Interestingly, just last week, Paterson named Richard Fife, an Obama delegate to the '08 Dem Convo and Obama campaign aide, as his campaign mgr. Aides said he did so to send a strong message to Obama not to get involved in the race.
[TIM SAHD]
Thank you very much. I am wonderring if I can share your article in the bookmarks of society,Then more friends can talk about this problem.
It doesn't look like Patterson will listen to Obama.