NYT: Paterson Tells Obama He’s Running for Gov

New York Governor David A. Paterson said that he still plans to run for re-election in 2010, despite a direct request from President Barack Obama that he not, reported the New York Times on Sunday. The governor made his intentions known during a parade in Harlem, saying to interviewers that he intends to fight to retain his position, with or without White House support.

Private discussions between the White House and the governor’s aides became public on Saturday, revealing that the president is becoming increasingly worried about Paterson’s ability to defeat the Republican Party in 2010, particularly if former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani – who has hinted at being interested in the seat – decides to run. These concerns are not entirely unfounded. According to a Marist poll, only 20 percent of New York residents approve of the job he’s been doing so far. Broken down by party, only 23 percent of registered Democrats like him, which still is nearly double the 12 percent of Republicans who concur.

Still, the president might not have that much to worry about regarding Paterson’s chances against the Republicans, as Paterson’s presumptive Democratic rival, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, enjoys a 69 percent approval rating.

Despite the friction between the two, Obama and Paterson are scheduled to appear together in Albany today, the governor greeting the president at the airport, both, presumably, doing their level best to ignore the elephant in the room.

According to sources, this is not the first time the White House has intervened in New York politics. The president has previously called on Rep. Steve Israel to stay out of a primary challenge in order to help the chances of Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, a Paterson appointee.