Paterson: Let’s Focus On Huge Budget Deficit, Not ‘Political Shenangians’

Gov. David Paterson (D-NY)
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In an interview with WNED today, New York Gov. David Paterson said focusing on “political shenanigans” is taking away from the efforts to close a more than $3 billion deficit.

Those “shenanigans” refer to reports that President Obama is nudging Paterson to drop out of next year’s race for governor.

In bringing focus to Albany’s budget problems, Paterson said he wants to “show the voters” that despite that gaping deficit, New York isn’t in as bad shape as California, Michigan, Massachusetts or other states — thanks to him.

“New York, which was hit hardest by the budget deficit because 20 percent of our taxes come from Wall Street, has actually weathered the storm the best of all the states. But the decisions I’ve had to make are tough decisions. They’ve dismayed people,” he said, speaking about drastic cuts to social services such as Medicaid.

“You’re not gonna be very popular when you do this, but anyone who’s running against you has to say how they’d do it differently,” he said.

He also showed no sign of backing down from the race, repeating that he is still in the running even though he seemed to be softening on that stance in remarks he made yesterday.

“If I got to a point where I thought that my candidacy was hurting my party, obviously it would be rather self-absorbed to go forward,” he said.

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