Obama Said to Request That Paterson Drop Campaign

[ccharles000]

WASHINGTON — President Obama has sent a request to Gov. David A. Paterson that he withdraw from the New York governor’s race, fearing that Mr. Paterson cannot recover from his dismal political standing, according to two senior administration officials and a New York Democratic operative with direct knowledge of the situation.

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.

The move against a sitting Democratic governor represents an extraordinary intervention into a state political race by the president, and is a delicate one, given that Mr. Paterson is one of only two African-American governors in the nation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/nyregion/20paterson.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss

[Blue_In_AK]

1. I like Obama, but I don't think this is any of his business.

Don't they have a primary in New York? Couldn't the Democrats of New York take care of this? Why is the president getting involved in state politics?

[Graybeard]

2. Ambassador Paterson? Pick a country Dave.

Either that or he will accept a plum Washington post in some Department or other.

[madfloridian]

3. Not my state, but interventions have often happened here....don't like it.

I think it takes away choice by the people, and it means the administration will be deciding.

I don't like this. Rahm messed around in FL elections, and his record is 0. Actually he lost us a seat.

[Indigent]

4. Did Carter or Clinton ever do this?

I'm too young to know. Was anyone around then?

[bertman]

5. So the President is willing to tell a Governor what he wants him to do, but Max Baucus

and the Insurance Enablers in Congress get a pass.

Very discouraging.

[saltpoint]

6. Smart politics.

Paterson is a great guy and should be given a good role to play in the administration. Why waste talent, and Paterson has plenty talent.

Electoral politics, though, isn't one of his long suits.

On the same ballot with Paterson are several Congressional Democrats. We need a strong top of the state ticket in New York to both maintain the governor's mansion and to help lift Democrats in congressional districts.

This is a good call by the White House.