David Paterson Defies Obama: Will Run for Governor

It's gotta hurt to be default New York governor David Paterson right about now. According to confirmed reports, the President of the United States asked Paterson not to run for governor of New York at the end of this current term. Paterson, who became governor when Spitzer had to step down, is facing plummeting approval poll numbers in New York. Obama reportedly fears that Paterson would taint the environment for other democratic candidates in New York. The president's don't-run message was supposedly delivered by Congressman Greg Meeks, who has a close relationship with the White House.

Defiant, Paterson has declared he will run in 2010."My plans for 2010 are to run for governor of the state of New York," Paterson said Sunday after serving as grand marshal to the African-American Day Parade in Manhattan. I am running for office.

Paterson's remarks come amid mounting pressure from Washington and within New York to drop out because of his low poll numbers and concerns from other Democrats that he might hurt their chances in 2010.

The White House has not ordered Paterson to leave the race and would not do so, [according to a White House official] saying only that the governor can make the decision about what's right for him, the party and the state.

But Paterson and his advisers have been made aware of Obama's concern about losing the governor's office in such a key state, the White Office official said. Another senior Democratic adviser in New York said those seeking Paterson's withdrawal are suggesting he could land a Washington job in the Obama administration.

The adviser spoke on the condition of anonymity because the official wasn't authorized to speak for Paterson or the New York congressional delegation. Source: Paterson Planning 2010 Run, Ignoring Obama, Huffington Post

Was this a gutsy move or a really disappointing one on Obama's part? I am leaning toward disappointing, particularly in the wake of Obama abandoning Van Jones. It is undeniably messy for America's first black president to step to 1 of only 2 black governors in the country and ask him not to try to retain his seat. Bigger than that, I don't understand why such a request was necessary. Without missing a beat, GOP chairman, Michael Steele, chimes in; and makes the point:

"I found that to be stunning, that the White House would send word to one of only 2 black governors in the country not to run for re-election," Mr. Steele said. He also questioned why the White House had not exerted similar pressure on Jon S. Corzine, the Democratic governor of New Jersey, who has also suffered from very low approval ratings. Source: Paterson says He Will Run Despite White House Pressure, New York Times

Dare I say, Co-sign!