Obama Said to Request That Paterson Drop Campaign

[FarCenter]

Published: September 19, 2009
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.
...
Now, Mr. Cuomo effectively has the blessing of the nation’s first black president to run against New York’s first black governor. That will probably neutralize any criticism he may face among the governor’s prominent black allies, including Representative Charles B. Rangel of Harlem, who warned this year that the party would become racially polarized if Mr. Cuomo took on Mr. Paterson.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/nyregion/20paterson.html?hp

[BlooInBloo]

1. That's awfully micro-manage-y isn't it Obama?

[The Magistrate]

2. It Is A good Move, Sir: Would That He Worked The Senate Similarly....

[EFerrari]

12. I don't know very much about him but remember his office created

needless bad feeling over the issue of Caroline Kennedy's possible appointment.

[Raineyb]

13. It's the principle of the matter. It would be nice if Washington would

stay the hell out of our local politics. It's bad enough they're choosing our senators for us.

[The Magistrate]

15. We May differ There, Ma'am

My preference is for a Party which acts as cohesive bloc, on a national scale. The President is the Party's leader, when in office, and he, and the Party's lesser office-holders, should act like it.

[Ian David]

16. I was thinking he should give the same advice to Harry Reid. n/t

[Mojambo]

3. An ugly, racially tinged primary batte in one of the bluest states would not be good for the party.

Obama is the leader of the party and he's trying to work quietly to head it off.

Probably a smart move.

[BlooInBloo]

8. Yah - I'm not much for the Let's Coddle Bigots approach to political decision making....

And it would be hilarious if *Obama* was. :rofl:

But I'm sure there are other reasons I'm not aware of. (And may or may not agree with them.)

[Me.]

4. While I Don't Think Obama Should Be Interfering With State Races

When I read the subject of your thread I said who's Paterson and I'm a NYer, so maybe he should be nudged out.

[virgogal]

6. I hope you're kidding about not knowing who he is. Good lord!

[Me.]

9. Nope

He completely slipped my mind. I think he's inept and in-artful and when that entire legislative debacle took place in Albany, we needed a leader and he was absent. I just don't think about him anymore and am looking forward to some other dem running.

[heraldsquare]

5. "Gore asks Obama to Step Aside"

Eh?

[madokie]

7. Sounds like bullshit to me

anonymous said shit

prove it

[xchrom]

10. it might be a good move on the one hand -- but it's laughable to

think it's happening on the other.

patterson must know what his chances are.

[FarCenter]

11. Worse than Corzine's

And Christie in NJ and Guliani in NY would be a calamity.

[Milk]

14. I'm glad that Obama holds no grudge against Cuoma

Or maybe he wants him to shuck and jive for the endorsement?

[PCIntern]

18. Interesting post....n/t

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

17. I'm a NYer and do not like Paterson but I find this intrusive.

[susanr516]

19. I'm not from NY and I agree with you nt