New York Gov. David Paterson fired back at rumors that he was about to resign his office over a rumored sex scandal, saying he would leave office only if voters put him out or he was carried out "in a box."

Opinion polls among New York voters are decidedly against Paterson in a reelection bid, but he will likely win back a few supporters with the tenacity he is showing in fighting against the rumor-mongering around him.

The New York Times is planning an upcoming story on Paterson, and it has been rumored that the story will feature reports of drinking and sex parties held by Paterson and friends.

I can't recall another time when a planned story has caused such political turmoil for a major elected official.

But because Paterson took office from Gov. Elliot Spitzer, who resigned after his own sex scandal, and he has admitted that he and his wife both cheated on each other during their marriage and has been photographed with female associates in public settings in what some have called "compromising" positions, the normal rules of news gathering have been suspended when it comes to Paterson.

Also, the New York Post reported on Jan. 30 that Paterson was found by state police in a closet with a woman who wasn't his wife. The Post, which has editorialized against Paterson, has stood by the story.

"The only way I'm not going to be governor next year is at the ballot box, and the only way that I will be leaving the office before is in a box," Paterson said.

The governor added that rumor of the damaging story and his plan to resign seems to be coming from news outlets and blogs in a "somewhat orchestrated" manner.

At this point, with Paterson taking the stand against the rumors, it is time for the New York press corps, the bloggers and the rest to take a deep breath and wait to see what this New York Times story uncovers about the governor.

If it further blasts the governor and adds to the series of embarrassing episodes made public during his watch, he will be gone. If the Times story turns out the be a dud, though, with no new allegations against Paterson, his claim that political enemies are behind these unfounded attacks will be proven right.