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Prez to Paterson: Get Out of NY Gov Race

Obama fears Dem's unpopularity could hand race to GOP

By Mat Probasco, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 20, 2009 4:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama has told New York Gov. David Paterson not to run in next year's gubernatorial election, reports the New York Times. Obama's fear is that the unpopular Democrat could give otherwise listless Republicans incentive to storm the polls, sources say. That would be doubly true if former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani runs, they warn.

Voters gave Paterson—the former lieutenant governor who replaced Gov. Eliot Spitzer after his prostitution scandal—a mere 30% approval rating recently. The numbers are so bad they could even hurt support for the state's congressional Democrats. The first black president telling one of the nation's two black governors to back off clears racial landmines for potential candidate Andrew Cuomo. Paterson was reportedly "resistant" to Obama's advice.

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Then-presidential candidate Barack Obama helps New York Gov. David Paterson to his seat before a meeting of Democratic governors last year. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Gov. David Paterson. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

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The message the White House wanted to send—that it wants Paterson to step aside—was delivered. He is resistant. - Anonymous Democratic operative

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 11 comments

prowlerzee

Sep 21, 2009 4:36 AM CDT

I find it amusing that by his own standards Zerobama is a racist! hahahahahaha! This is nothing new for the Corporate Tool. Even before he was da boss he took over like a mafia don. Twice during the primaries he interfered in other elections, telling two AA progressive dems to take a hike. He favored the white male establishment Dems over their AA female progressive Dem challengers. Just more FACTS that the Obot Hopium addicts can negative rate to prove what dupes they were.

chas_m

Sep 20, 2009 10:19 AM CDT

I find it amusing that Patterson is deeply hated in NY, but he's STILL more popular than Bush.

So_Cal_Larry

Sep 20, 2009 7:42 AM CDT

Governor Paterson is definitely not up to prime time standards. I think he is unelectable as candidate for governor.

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Prez to Paterson: Get Out of NY Gov Race