Sunday, September 20, 2009

September 19, 2009: Obama Meddles in New York Gubernatorial Race, Fails

With his poll numbers sagging, it seems President Obama can't even control his own party. But that won't stop him from trying to meddle in the upcoming state and local elections:

A defiant Gov. Paterson Sunday said he still plans to run for a full four-year term next year despite a stunning White House request that the poll-challenged governor step aside.

Paterson did not deny a Sunday Daily News report that White House political director Patrick Gaspard met with him last Monday to discuss the concerns the Obama administration has with him - and their preference he not run next year.

The message was also relayed Friday during a Paterson dinner with Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens), a long time Paterson pal who told the governor that President Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, does not view a Paterson candidacy as "tenable."

Earlier this year, while it was clear Obama preferred that Paterson select Caroline Kennedy to replace Clinton in the Senate, Paterson picked little-known upstate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand.


Source: NY Daily News

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