Obama Asks New York's Governor David Paterson To Withdraw From Race

[SpurNation]

Jay Yarow (http://www.businessinsider.com/jay-yarow)|Sep. 20, 2009

The New York Times is reporting (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/20/nyregion/20paterson.html?hp) that Barack Obamahas asked New York Governor David Paterson to withdraw from the state's race for governor.

The administration fears Paterson's weak political standing could drag the Democratic party down in New York. Rudy Giuliani is talking about a run for govenor. The Obama camp is worried Giuliani will thrash the wildly unpopular, and seemingly inept, Paterson, invigorating Republicans.
If Paterson were to step down it would clear the way for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to run for governor. Cuomo has been on the fence about challenging Paterson. With Cuomo building a name for himself in the financial crisis, he could prove a greater challenge to someone like Giuliani.
Paterson is resisting the President's request thus far.
__________________________________________________ _

If Cuomo is a more popular candidate than Paterson...then why should Obama be concerned and personally involved with trying to convince Paterson not to run?

[spursncowboys]

He's racist.

[NoOptionB]

Obama cannot stand the idea of a black man running for Governor. It's a shame.

[clambake]

i kinda of miss not hearing "on 9/11" in every sentence.

[iggypop123]

i guess he cant see how important the govenors office is to obama and democrats

[Wild Cobra]

I think he's only concerned about NY's 31 electoral votes going to a republican in 2012 instead of him.

[George Gervin's Afro]

I think he's only concerned about NY's 31 electoral votes going to a republican in 2012 instead of him.

Nah I give the people of new York much more credit than you do. The GOP's strategy may work in the south but it will fail where there is an actual intellectual populace.

[Winehole23]

I think he's only concerned about NY's 31 electoral votes going to a republican in 2012 instead of him.Sure, but there's reapportionment next year.

[ashbeeigh]

The thing that bothers me about this is that it's a state, not a federal issue. I see the problems that are associated with Paterson and his weak politics..and the problems they cause the Obama administration and the Democratic party. It just doesn't feel right to me for Obama to tell a governor to step aside because he's weaker politically. I'd tell him to go screw himself.

[coyotes_geek]

The thing that bothers me about this is that it's a state, not a federal issue. I see the problems that are associated with Paterson and his weak politics..and the problems they cause the Obama administration and the Democratic party. It just doesn't feel right to me for Obama to tell a governor to step aside because he's weaker politically. I'd tell him to go screw himself.

Pretty much where I come out on this as well. It's a pretty douchebaggish move by Obama IMO.

[coyotes_geek]

Sure, but there's reapportionment next year.

Good point. New York is going to be losing a seat, so you know the dems want to make sure that seat belongs to a republican. That being said I don't know how big a role the NY Gov gets to play in that process.

[sam1617]

Pretty much where I come out on this as well. It's a pretty douchebaggish move by Obama IMO.

Yeah, it seems like its not something the President should be getting involved in, but whatever, I'm sure the President would be happier just removing the state governments all together.

[jack sommerset]

Obama is smart asking him not to run. Obama is stupid telling people what he asked.

[baseline bum]

i kinda of miss not hearing "on 9/11" in every sentence.

http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Giuliani.jpg

http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Giuliani-Video.jpg

[clambake]

http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Giuliani.jpg

http://www.theonion.com/content/files/images/Giuliani-Video.jpg

:lol thanks for the memories!

[iggypop123]

i think he ignored all states and foucused on florida cause they didnt want to hear about 9-11

[Winehole23]

Good point. New York is going to be losing a seat, so you know the dems want to make sure that seat belongs to a republican. That being said I don't know how big a role the NY Gov gets to play in that process.Not much. But Patterson's approval rating is 17%. I think the concern is that Patterson could drag down the whole ticket.

[Wild Cobra]

Sure, but there's reapportionment next year.
That's why the democrats want ACORN to count all the illegal aliens. There are more of them in blue states than red states, so if they can give the blue states more influence in the electoral college...