Obama administration asks Gov. Paterson not to seek reelection in 2010

[bijou]

ALBANY - In a stunning request, the Obama administration has made it clear to poll-challenged Gov. Paterson that the White House would prefer he not seek election to a full four-year term next year.

The Obama administration sent the message through White House political affairs director Patrick Gaspard, who met with the governor at his campaign headquarters for nearly two hours last Monday, according to a source with knowledge of the conversation.

"They expressed concern about his chances about being reelected and the likelihood his presence in the race made it more likely that Rudy Giuliani would enter the contest," the source said. "The preference is that he not run. That message was conveyed directly."

The bombshell meeting between Paterson and Gaspard occurred the same day President Obama was in New York City to deliver a Wall Street address - a speech Paterson was not invited to, according to several sources.


 

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/09/19/2009-09-19_obama_administration_.html#ixzz0RdarACLx

[DumbAss Tanker]

State party organizations are not merely subordinate links of an integrated national organization for either parties, they are more like baronies.  Active meddling by the White House in state party affairs is not a sustainable approach.

[djones520]

State party organizations are not merely subordinate links of an integrated national organization for either parties, they are more like baronies.  Active meddling by the White House in state party affairs is not a sustainable approach.

As if that matters to the King of America?

[Chris_]

What right does the Zero and his group of thugs ask anyone to step down it is total BS!!

[NHSparky]

One would hope that the citizens of New York, and Americans at large, see this for the political shenanigans it is.

[Chris_]

Hmmmm WTF is the Federal government meddling in State affairs? 

[Eupher]

Hmmmm WTF is the Federal government meddling in State affairs? 

I'm afraid that's been going on for a helluva long time now. Remember the fed threats to states on the 55-mph "requirement"?

"No Child Left Behind"?

Etcetera.

[thundley4]

I'm afraid that's been going on for a helluva long time now. Remember the fed threats to states on the 55-mph "requirement"?

"No Child Left Behind"?

Etcetera.

To me there is a big difference between the fed blackmailing the states regarding laws and funding, and messing around with the internal politics of the states.  0Bama could insure that Paterson not run or be defeated in the primary by having the DOJ start some trumped up investigation just prior to the election.  That could happen in any state to effect an election, which is scary.

[Eupher]

To me there is a big difference between the fed blackmailing the states regarding laws and funding, and messing around with the internal politics of the states.  0Bama could insure that Paterson not run or be defeated in the primary by having the DOJ start some trumped up investigation just prior to the election.  That could happen in any state to effect an election, which is scary.

In essence, I agree with you that there is a difference with the feds blackmailing the states over highway funding and education funding.

But the only thing that's slightly out of whack here, as I see it, is that Lord Zero's minions didn't even make an attempt to hide the fact that he, the NY Governor, is to be thrown under LZ's bus.

The story about how Paterson favored Gillibrand over Caroline Kennedy, and how he endorsed Hillary rather than LZ certainly makes sense.

I kinda wonder how LBJ would've handled this kind of thing.

Instead of sending a minion to tell the governor not to bother running, LBJ would've called the guy on the phone and done the same thing.

Bottom line is, it's not the first time that the WH gets involved in state politics and it won't be the last.

[TheSarge]

Hmmmm WTF is the Federal government meddling in State affairs? 

Silence!  Do not question the wisdom of The King!

[rich_t]

It must be getting crowded under that bus.

[Hawkgirl]

Zero is the first president to meddle in state affairs.  Zero is giving us a lot of firsts.

He's also a racist for asking a black governor to step down.   

[rich_t]

Zero is the first president to meddle in state affairs.  Zero is giving us a lot of firsts.

He's also a racist for asking a black governor to step down.   

He's hardly the 1st.  But he is being the most blatant about it, from what I've personally ever seen.

[Eupher]

Zero is the first president to meddle in state affairs.  Zero is giving us a lot of firsts.

He's also a racist for asking a black governor to step down.   

Sorry, HG. I just ain't buyin' that biz. I think it might be the first time it was broadcasted so blatantly, but I just don't accept the idea that a U.S. president has never meddled in state affairs before now.

[Hawkgirl]

Sorry, HG. I just ain't buyin' that biz. I think it might be the first time it was broadcasted so blatantly, but I just don't accept the idea that a U.S. president has never meddled in state affairs before now.

Can you give an example of when it occurred in the past?

[Eupher]

Can you give an example of when it occurred in the past?

I think it's pretty common knowledge that a sitting president stumps for his party's candidates. That's an action that can clearly indicate a president's getting involved in state politics, particularly when he's stumping for a governor.

I'll say again that Lord Zero takes it to heights never before experienced (that we're aware of) since he's so blatant about his displeasure with Paterson.

But there can be no doubt that presidents do get involved in state politics.

Here's an example:

Dubya