New York Gov. David Paterson had other plans when he campaigned as Eliot Spitzer’s running mate — and they didn’t involve being governor.
“I did not sign up for this,” Paterson said yesterday, reports the New York Times. “I wanted to be lieutenant governor. I had this grand plan that Hillary Clinton was going to become president. Maybe the governor would appoint me to the Senate.”
Alas, Spitzer resigned amid a prostitution scandal, thrusting Paterson into the top job. Yet Paterson is running in next year’s gubernatorial election, over the reported objections of President Obama.
Paterson has so far refused to step aside. But, he said 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.”
During his remarks, Paterson accused associates of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo of leaking the story that the White House was trying to dissuade Paterson from running.
Paterson was speaking at a lunch event with the New York State Associated Press Association in Syracuse.
In another twist, Politico reports that lawmakers in Albany and Washington requested Obama’s intervention.
Two senior Democratic officials said members of the U.S. House met with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in closed-door meetings to tell him they wanted Paterson out.
State legislators also laud the president’s decision.
“Clearly, the situation in New York is unusual and requires leadership at a greater level than anyone in New York can provide,” said state Rep. Dan Maffei. “I, for one, welcome the president’s involvement.”
