President Asks Governor Patterson, Not to Run

It seems the Obama administration would prefer if the Governor of New York City, did not run in the next election.

The message to Paterson not only represents the White House trying to heavily influence a top state race, but also is a case of the first black president pressuring New York's first black governor to step aside.

A Paterson decision to withdraw from the race would clear the way for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who many Democrats and union leaders would prefer to be the candidate.

Let us face it David Patterson has brought many Trojans into his position. He has been less than honest with his constituents.

Paterson's top aide, secretary Larry Schwartz, responded "no" in a response to an email if he would comment on the issue.

One Paterson aide said the governor is "certainly planning to run - at this moment."

A Paterson decision to withdraw from the race would clear the way for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who many Democrats and union leaders would prefer to be the candidate.

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.

Read more: New York Daily News