Sep 22, 2009 7:31am
Whispers in Albany
EmailSo — following news reports that the White House has been encouraging New York Gov. David Paterson to not run in next year's gubernatorial race — what did President Obama whisper to Paterson on the tarmac in Albany?
A knowledgable source says the president expressed his regret at how the story leaked and became such a media spectacle.
(Not that said regret changes the governor's 76 percent disapproval ratings, or the president's view that Paterson can't win and should cede the floor to someone who can for the good of the state and the party.)
– jpt
Rick Santorum Sweeps 3 States 
Pentagon to Open Additional Jobs to Women
For the good of the state? Or the good of the state’s Democrat party?
Posted by: Elle | September 22, 2009, 7:58 am 7:58 am
I think he whispered that if he doesn’t bow out, his people will break his legs.
Posted by: Jenny | September 22, 2009, 8:05 am 8:05 am
What’s in it for Paterson? Why should he step aside or not run, because Barry is his buddy? Look how he treats his friends: Under the bus with you! Obama is just irritated because Paterson put Caroline Kennedy in her place. She wants to be Senator? She should go to Mass.
Posted by: #25 | September 22, 2009, 8:08 am 8:08 am
The purpose of a primary is to weed out those that can’t win the general. Why does Obama feel the need to intervene?
I think Michelle wants Hillary out so one of her friends can become Sec. of State. The best way to do that would be to open the way for her to run for the Governorship. That would get her out of the administration and keep her away from the senate.
Posted by: joedoe | September 22, 2009, 9:23 am 9:23 am
70% disapproval ratings should obviate the need for gentle nudges.
Posted by: beeman | September 22, 2009, 9:36 am 9:36 am
They should allow a fifth grader to run NY, they are smarter and more Honest!!!!!
Posted by: Either way | September 22, 2009, 9:37 am 9:37 am
There is nothing wrong with the white house suggesting that someone with low ratings step down. It is done all the time. How about the republicans who did not support A. Spector who then changed to the democratic party and Joe Lieberman…how much support did they give him? NONE…so he left the republican party….Do the republicans think that we forget all this nonesense. What do they think about?…Oh I know…what can we bash Obama about today. Most of us are smarter than you think and remember how you let down people in your party including your snub and disrespect of of Mc Cain against Bush…most of us remember. At one point the republicans were saying he was not the hero everyone thought he was…I remember, I was a strong Mc Cain supporter and a republican then…. However, cannot abide by the negative of this party anymore.
Posted by: talmag | September 22, 2009, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
That is what you get when you don`t select a Kennedy to replace the Senate seat of Hillary Clinton.
And, of course, if it had been a white President doing the same thing as Obama, he would have been labeled a “racist” by the press and Democrats.
Posted by: queen of the world | September 22, 2009, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
His disapproval rating tells us he is an obvious loser and he should not run this race! He should step aside for someone that at least stands a chance of winning the mayoral race for the Democrats. Common sense?
Posted by: Gloria | September 22, 2009, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm
… He should step aside for someone that at least stands a chance of winning the mayoral race for the Democrats. Common sense?
Posted by: Gloria | Sep 22, 2009 12:25:55 PM
———
Umm. Gloria, he’s running for governor
Posted by: DJ | September 22, 2009, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
-However, cannot abide by the negative of this party anymore.-
I’m sure the Republican Party is just all broken up about it.
Posted by: Steele | September 22, 2009, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
The cynicism of this administration is beyond anything I have seen in 40 years.
I can not believe the pattern of abuse of power and corruption at such an early stage in the Presidency.
The sad part is that most of it was available to the media to cover, but they were too busy wetting themselves every time he spoke. On anything…
If Obama was 100% white instead of just 50%, the hue & cry for him to resign or be impeached would be immediate and overwhelming.
But, any critque of his tactics or policy or agenda or background or judgement or friends & “mentors”…
is immediately labeld as racism by his supporters and everyone around him.
How sad for America. From the awful Bush to this.
America deserves better than what these two corrupt parties give us.
Posted by: D.patterson | September 22, 2009, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm
Joe Lieberman…how much support did they give him? NONE…so he left the republican party
Posted by: talmag | Sep 22, 2009 12:01:09 PM
Err… Lieberman was a democrat. Try again.
Posted by: Jason | September 22, 2009, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm
Jason…how much support did the republican party give Mc Cain when he ran against Bush…NONE. they supported Bush and made such hurtful statements against Mc Cain that he almost left the party. I remember as I was a supporter of Mc Cain at that time and was disappointed in my party (then) for the way they treated Mc Cain who I felt was more qualified. I was right apparently.
Posted by: talmag | September 23, 2009, 2:29 pm 2:29 pm