NYT Reports: Obama to Paterson: Don't Run for Gov

Submitted by Colleen Lutolf on Sun, 09/20/2009 - 08:38

According to White House administration officials and a New York Democratic political operative, President Obama has requested that Gov. David A. Paterson drop his campaign for governor in 2010, the New York Times reported Saturday.

The message was conveyed to Paterson through Queens Democrat, Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, who has developed a strong relationship with Obama, the administration officials said, according to the Times.

Political advisers proposed the idea to Obama, who approved of it, the paper's sources said.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity "because the discussions with the governor were intended to be confidential," the Times said.

Paterson's not talking about it and either is Meeks, at least to the Times, however, the political operative told the Times that Paterson is resistant to ditching the race.

White House officials have become increasingly concerned over Paterson's performance as governor, the first major gaffe being Paterson's handling of filling now Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton's old Senate seat. The White House acted now with Obama's message due in part to former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani hinting that he might be in the running for governor, the Times said.

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