Welcome to Dutchess Forums

Paterson to launch aggressive re-election effort to dismay of Dems
By Tony Romm
2/16/10
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing- ... other-dems


New York Gov. David Paterson (D) will officially launch his re-election campaign this weekend, in a move that defies even the president's suggestion that he step aside and allow another Democrat to run for his post.

The governor will begin his run for office rather aggressively, with four events that will take him from Rochester on Saturday to Manhattan by Sunday afternoon, according to the schedule released by Paterson's office late Tuesday.

But Paterson's decision to enter the race is sure to arrive to the dismay of many within his own party. A handful of Democrats -- including President Barack Obama -- have reportedly implored the governor to cede the party's nomination to more popular candidates, including New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

Others fear the storms of scandal are brewing all about Paterson, who took over following the resignation of a scandal-hampered Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) in 2008.

But mostly, skeptics of the governor's re-election bid point to his long-standing spell of low approval ratings as evidence he could jeopardize the party's ability to retain the governor's mansion next year.

A Marist poll released earlier this month pegged the governor's support at about 26 percent -- a point of concern for any incumbent.

Worse yet, about 60 percent told pollsters they did not want Paterson to run for a full term this year, while about 76 percent said they hoped Cuomo ran in his place.

But Paterson has routinely dismissed most of that preliminary data -- much less the many Democrats who have subsequently cited it as reason for him to relinquish his job.

Even after President Barack Obama reportedly dispatched White House staffers to urge Paterson to withdraw his re-election bid, the governor maintained he would still seek a full term in 2010.

“I have said time and time again that I am running for governor next year,” he told The New York Times in September 2009, after news of the White House's involvement in the race broke.

Paterson's candidacy is a JOKE !!! But I will give him some credit as he did show some balls last summer when he took a hard stand by ordering all members of the State Legislator back to Albany...

Wally? He was not elected and does not have the clout of having the support of the people.

NY State is dysfunctional and will continue to be so as long as the Left is in control. NJ is already way ahead of us on this.