Obama Fumbles: David Paterson Still Running for New York Governor

Makes one wonder if Obama’s political shop has collapsed.

Gov. David A. Paterson defiantly vowed to run for election next year despite the White House‘s urging that he withdraw from the New York governor’s race.

Appearing tired and agitated at a parade in Harlem on Sunday, the governor told a crowd of reporters that he would not abandon his campaign to seek a full term.

“I have said time and time again that I am running for governor next year,” he said at the 40th annual African-American Day Parade.

Mr. Paterson would not characterize what he was told by the White House, saying that he would not “discuss confidential conversations.”

“I’m not talking about any specific conversations,” he said. “As I said, I am running for office.”

President Obama had sent a request to Mr. Paterson that he withdraw from the New York governor’s race, fearing that Mr. Paterson cannot recover from his dismal political standing, according to two senior administration officials and a New York Democratic operative with direct knowledge of the situation.

The decision to ask Mr. Paterson to step aside was proposed by political advisers to Mr. Obama, but approved by the president himself, one of the administration officials said.

“Is there concern about the situation in New York? Absolutely,” the second administration official said Saturday evening. “Has that concern been conveyed to the governor? Yes.”

The administration officials and the Democratic operative spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions with the governor were intended to be confidential.

The president’s request was conveyed to the Mr. Paterson by Representative Gregory W. Meeks, a Queens Democrat, who has developed a strong relationship with the Obama administration, they said.

Obama, Rahm and Axelrod know that Paterson will not beat former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. But, they have fumbled the delicate balance of forcing out Paterson and giving him a face saving prize to clear the field for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Maybe it was the resentment of the Caroline Kennedy – Hillary Clinton mess.

Who knows?

But, Paterson is so far down in the polls Rudy Giuliani will be an easy winner and the New York GOP WILL make a come back.