POTUS and Paterson

It seemed a little awkward in Albany, as President Obama was greeted on the tarmac by New York Gov. David Paterson, whom the White House has been suggesting should drop out of the governor’s race next year given his abysmal poll numbers.

The two attempted an uncomfortable hug of some sort, though later at a rope line in Troy, the president's smile vanished when he once again was forced to greet Paterson.

At the event in Troy, the first-ever African-American president praised the heart of the first-ever African-American governor of New York.

But he beamed at Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and effusively praised the work of the man whom many Democrats would like to see pursue the governor's mansion next year instead of Paterson.

Obama has not personally spoken with the governor about the race, "but it's no secret that Democrats in New York are very concerned about the situation and those concerns have been conveyed in an appropriate way," a source said.

The conveying of those concerns was first reported Saturday night by the New York Times.

"No one has ordered him out of the race," the source said. "Nor does anyone have the authority to. He has to look at his situation and make the decision that he thinks is right for himself, the party and the state."

You can read more about this HERE.

-jpt