The Daily OrangePresident Obama shows Gov. Paterson the door
By Andrew Swab
Posted: 9/29/09, 1:49 AM EST Section: Opinion
President Obama gave Governor David Paterson the cold shoulder when he came off Air Force One in Albany, NY on Sept. 21.
Like it or not, Washington politics have arrived in New York's backyard.
President Obama paid a visit to Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY and Vice President Joe Biden stopped by our own Syracuse University within the same month. When is the last time a sitting president and vice president visited upstate New York within the same month? Even more, when is the last time a Democrat in the oval office visited the Capital Region? President Clinton did visit Albany in 2000 in support of Hillary's Senate campaign, but the last Democrat to visit Albany before him was Harry Truman in 1948.
This rush to upstate is not just to see the fall leaves or to hype education and tech-based jobs, but to launch a public relations blitz.
The administration does not believe Governor David Paterson should run in 2010 for fear of dragging down the Democrats. That's part of the reason Mr. Obama paid a visit to the otherwise forgotten Albany. Paterson responded back to the president with a quick comment on "Meet the Press" this past Sunday. He said, "I don't think I am a drag on the party. I think I'm fighting for the priorities of my party. I think you fight for the people of your state. That's what I thought being a Democrat was supposed to be all about."
This makes Washington Democrats go berserk.
They fear that the governorship may fall into the hands of a Republican, most likely Rudy Giuliani, in 2010 if Paterson runs. The Associated Press reports "A Paterson run could even entice Republican savior-in-waiting Rudy Giuliani to run for governor."
In the Democrats' horror scenario, a Republican may even win the Senate seat of Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed amid controversy by Paterson. This would burst a hole in the Senate's current Democratic filibuster-proof majority.
Paterson is being pushed aside for more popular candidates like state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. A recent Marist College poll found that the governor had a 17 percent approval rating. Meanwhile, Marist discovered 69 percent of registered voters approve of Cuomo's performance as Attorney General.
Like it or not, Washington politics have arrived in New York's backyard.
President Obama paid a visit to Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, NY and Vice President Joe Biden stopped by our own Syracuse University within the same month. When is the last time a sitting president and vice president visited upstate New York within the same month? Even more, when is the last time a Democrat in the oval office visited the Capital Region? President Clinton did visit Albany in 2000 in support of Hillary's Senate campaign, but the last Democrat to visit Albany before him was Harry Truman in 1948.
This rush to upstate is not just to see the fall leaves or to hype education and tech-based jobs, but to launch a public relations blitz.
The administration does not believe Governor David Paterson should run in 2010 for fear of dragging down the Democrats. That's part of the reason Mr. Obama paid a visit to the otherwise forgotten Albany. Paterson responded back to the president with a quick comment on "Meet the Press" this past Sunday. He said, "I don't think I am a drag on the party. I think I'm fighting for the priorities of my party. I think you fight for the people of your state. That's what I thought being a Democrat was supposed to be all about."
This makes Washington Democrats go berserk.
They fear that the governorship may fall into the hands of a Republican, most likely Rudy Giuliani, in 2010 if Paterson runs. The Associated Press reports "A Paterson run could even entice Republican savior-in-waiting Rudy Giuliani to run for governor."
In the Democrats' horror scenario, a Republican may even win the Senate seat of Kirsten Gillibrand, who was appointed amid controversy by Paterson. This would burst a hole in the Senate's current Democratic filibuster-proof majority.
Paterson is being pushed aside for more popular candidates like state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. A recent Marist College poll found that the governor had a 17 percent approval rating. Meanwhile, Marist discovered 69 percent of registered voters approve of Cuomo's performance as Attorney General.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Anonymous
posted 9/29/09 @ 7:48 AM EST
The president is deathly afraid of the Republicans taking the gubernatorial seat in the elections, which would happen if Patterson was the run. He should keep his nose out of New York state politics. (Continued…)
Ryan
posted 9/29/09 @ 10:13 AM EST
Great write up! A gov who has made sacrifices at the expense of his career to the state out of bankruptcy during these times is commendable. The fact that he is being forced out for doing what was best for NY is offensive. (Continued…)
Lucy
posted 9/29/09 @ 11:57 AM EST
Gov. Paterson inherits a pile of ca ca after Dem. Eliot Spitzer's prostitution scandal. Paterson tries to clean up NY's mess to the best of his ability -- and instead of his loyal party lending support and encouragement -- the Obama administration tells him to get out of the way. (Continued…)
Elsa
posted 9/29/09 @ 5:31 PM EST
Interesting opinion. Things are not as they appear. I was blind but now I see... maybe there's more to a visit than meets the eye!
Martha
posted 9/30/09 @ 7:11 PM EST
well, i think this move is strategic on the President's part. It's clear what his agenda and priorities are, to get his chess pieces in line. Let's not forget Biden's visit to Shen a while back. (Continued…)
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