New York Governor David Paterson Under Pressure from President Barack Obama to Pull Out of Governor's Race, Let AG Andrew Cuomo Run Instead

Gov. David Paterson is a dead man walking. It seems that President Barack Obama is meddling in the New York state governor's race. The latest news to hit the airwaves is that POTUS had asked Governor David Paterson to withdraw from the 2010 race for fear that he cannot regroup from a series of political missteps. Hey, that has been my position for several months. But Paterson defied his critics, "I am running for office," he told reporters at a Manhattan parade. "I'm not going to discuss confidential conversations," he said, adding that he planned to continue focusing on matters related to the financial crisis. Whoa. Isn't this the same guy who cried racism as the reason for his abysmal poll numbers several weeks ago? Er, Governor, you need to step aside and let Andrew Cuomo run instead. You are unpopular and people just don't like you anymore. You are just downright ineffective and wouldn't stand a chance against any serious contender from the Republican Party for the governorship.

The New York Times reported on Sunday that the Obama administration is worried Paterson's unpopularity could drag down New York's Democratic members of Congress and the Democratic-controlled state legislature in November 2010 elections. Citing an administration official, the Times reported that Obama's request that Paterson step aside was put forward by his political advisers, but approved by the president. The newspaper quoted another administration official as saying: "Is there concern about the situation in New York? Absolutely." That official said the concern had "been conveyed to the governor."

Paterson, who as lieutenant governor, became an "accidental governor"  last year after Governor Eliot Spitzer stepped down amid a sex scandal. Paterson has seen his approval rating in polls plummet for months after a series of political setbacks. Added to his terrible approval ratings is the global economic crisis that has hit New York hard, with the state struggling with budget shortfalls. The state Senate was gridlocked for nearly five weeks during June and July when both the Republicans and Democrats wrestled for control.

UPDATE#1: Gov. Paterson has outdone himself once again! He blamed President Obama for his current woes. Here are some of his remarks.

If you look at it from their perspective, they haven’t exactly been able to govern in the first year of their administration in the way that other administrations have, where you would have, theoretically, a period in which the new administration is allowed to pass the needed pieces of legislation. To read his entire statement, CLICK HERE.

The president's request is unusual but is stemming from a serious concern that Paterson will not be elected as governor in any election. Obama's request was conveyed to the governor by Rep. Gregory Meeks. While I don't think President Obama should have involved himself with this, it may stem from the fact that Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed by Paterson to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's senate seat, may be in jeopardy of losing her seat as well. New York Democrats are genuinely concerned that Paterson is toxic right now and may hurt their chances in 2010. So, he is being thrown under the bus by just about everyone, even Rev. Al Sharpton, who contacted the governor and the White House about his concerns.

Last week, a Marist College poll found 20 percent of New York voters approved of Paterson's performance as governor, compared with 21 percent in June. Only 24 percent of Democrats felt he was doing well. Seventy percent of voters said Paterson isn't a viable candidate for 2010, including 65 percent of Democrats. Cuomo, in comparison, had a job approval rating of 69%, with 67% of New Yorkers felt he should run for governor, including 77% of Democrats. So, with that said, Governor Paterson, this is your cue to exit the political stage, at least as governor.

President Obama's strong-arm tactics have cast serious doubts on the ability of Paterson to get anything else done for the remainder of his term. He is the lamest of all lame ducks. For example, the state Senate, still trying to recover from the 31-day stalemate after the June 8 coup, was already reluctant to help the unpopular governor close the $2.1 billion budget gap. This latest no-confidence vote will undoubtedly create a great incentive not to meet the governor half way to resolve this problem. Further, there is a case in the court about the legality of his decision to appoint former Metropolitan Transportation Authority chairman Richard Ravitch as lieutenant governor.

Rep. Charlie Rangel Warns of 'Racial Polarization' if Andrew Cuomo Challenges Paterson for Governor in Primary

Could someone please tell Rep. Charlie Rangel to stop giving interviews because he continues to put his foot in his mouth and start fires along racial lines. In an interview with New York 1, he warned of "racial polarization" if attorney general Andrew Cuomo challenges that idiot Gov. David Paterson in a primary next year. This begs the question: since when does Gov. Paterson have the black vote comfortably in his back pocket? If I recall correctly, Andrew Cuomo has a record of achievement and Paterson does not. Who would people rather vote for? Also, Andrew Cuomo hails from a political dynasty in New York with his father Mario Cuomo being governor from from 1983 to 1994. Granted, Gov. Cuomo wasn't popular with many New Yorkers over his views on abortion and capital punishment, but he served with dignity and tenacity. So too has Andrew Cuomo served in his various capacities in New York City.

Of course, Charlie Rangel and he is close to the poll-challenged Paterson and he had the nerve to Rip Cuomo on New York 1 last night for flatly not ruling out a run for governor next year. I didn't realize that Paterson had exclusive rights to run for governor, considering that his record is so abysmal.

"You cannot support the governor, prepare for reelection and at the same time say that you're keeping your options open for a primary," Rangel said. Should Cuomo run, Rangel said, it would create a divide that could be "devastating" to New York Democrats. "I think that there might be an inclination for racial polarization in a primary in the state of New York," Rangel said.

"Since we have most African-Americans registered as Democrats, and since you would be making an appeal for Democrats, it would be devastating in my opinion."

Andrew Cuomo is the least of Governor Paterson's worries. His poll numbers are at historic lows and if this continues, he needs to do the right thing and step aside. Source: NY Daily News

Once again Charlie Rangel is shooting from the lips in a nonsensical manner. Andrew Cuomo is by far the better candidate of the two and he should give some serious consideration to ending the ridiculous sideshow occurring in the governor's office at the hands of David Paterson. It is equally amazing that Charlie Rangel will stop at nothing to interject race into every conversation or issue. Is this the best he can do, especially given his years of service as a congressman?

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to Fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senate Seat

Source: NY Daily News

New York Governor David Paterson has chosen Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, a second-term congresswoman from upstate NY to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senate seat after the hot mess that ensued from Carolyn Kennedy abruptly withdrew her name from consideration. Gov. Paterson and his aides created more drama about Carolyn Kennedy's withdrawal and that was terrible. They knee-capped her in a major way, which I suspect will come back to bite the governor if he decides to seek re-election.

The 42-year-old Hudson Valley Democrat will reportedly be named by the governor at an announcement Friday in Albany. Gillibrand was considered one of the top three or four contenders in Paterson's secretive selection process, where the front-runners were considered to be Kennedy and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Of course, Ms. Gillibrand did not escape the wrath of the other contenders, led by more senior politicians, including Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, who criticized her support of more conservative issues such as gun ownership rights was out of step with most New York Democrats.

Gillibrand is a proven vote getter in an eastern New York district that sprawls from the mid-Hudson Valley to north of Albany. She defeated a long-term Republican incumbent in 2006 and won re-election last year by a wide margin.

Gillibrand is married with a son and worked as a lawyer before challenging Republican John Sweeney in 2006 to represent New York's 20th District. Her upset win came after a police report was leaked shortly before the election that showed Sweeney's wife had called 911 in what appeared to be a domestic violence incident. Gillibrand is considered one of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, a stance that reflects her largely rural district. She voted last year against the $700 billion Wall Street bailout bill.

Gillibrand graduated from Dartmouth College in 1988 and earned a law degree at UCLA in 1991. She is the daughter of Albany lobbyist Douglas Rutnik. Source: NY Daily News

Okay, so there we have it--Senator Gillibrand. This drama with Carolyn Kennedy has come to a much-needed end. I hope Gov. Paterson realizes that his poor handling of this process will come back to haunt him should he have ambitions to run for re-election.

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand to Fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senate Seat

Source: NY Daily News

New York Governor David Paterson has chosen Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, a second-term congresswoman from upstate NY to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senate seat after the hot mess that ensued from Carolyn Kennedy abruptly withdrew her name from consideration. Gov. Paterson and his aides created more drama about Carolyn Kennedy's withdrawal and that was terrible. They knee-capped her in a major way, which I suspect will come back to bite the governor if he decides to seek re-election.

The 42-year-old Hudson Valley Democrat will reportedly be named by the governor at an announcement Friday in Albany. Gillibrand was considered one of the top three or four contenders in Paterson's secretive selection process, where the front-runners were considered to be Kennedy and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Of course, Ms. Gillibrand did not escape the wrath of the other contenders, led by more senior politicians, including Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, who criticized her support of more conservative issues such as gun ownership rights was out of step with most New York Democrats.

Gillibrand is a proven vote getter in an eastern New York district that sprawls from the mid-Hudson Valley to north of Albany. She defeated a long-term Republican incumbent in 2006 and won re-election last year by a wide margin.

Gillibrand is married with a son and worked as a lawyer before challenging Republican John Sweeney in 2006 to represent New York's 20th District. Her upset win came after a police report was leaked shortly before the election that showed Sweeney's wife had called 911 in what appeared to be a domestic violence incident. Gillibrand is considered one of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats, a stance that reflects her largely rural district. She voted last year against the $700 billion Wall Street bailout bill.

Gillibrand graduated from Dartmouth College in 1988 and earned a law degree at UCLA in 1991. She is the daughter of Albany lobbyist Douglas Rutnik. Source: NY Daily News

Okay, so there we have it--Senator Gillibrand. This drama with Carolyn Kennedy has come to a much-needed end. I hope Gov. Paterson realizes that his poor handling of this process will come back to haunt him should he have ambitions to run for re-election.