David Paterson withdraws from governor's race

Via the NY Daily News:

A scandal-scarred Gov. Paterson formally ended his short-lived election campaign Friday afternoon.

Paterson, under investigation by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for contacting a woman who accused one of his top aides of domestic violence, made the announcement at his Manhattan office with his wife, Michelle, at his side.

“I am being realistic about politics,” he said. “It hasn’t been the latest distraction, it’s been an accumulation of obstacles that has obfuscated me from bringing my message to the public.

“There are times in politics when you have to know not to strive for service, but to step back – and that moment has come for me,” Paterson said. “Today, I am announcing that I am ending my campaign for governor of the state of New York.”

“It has become increasingly clear to me in the last few days that I cannot run for office and try to manage the state’s business at the same time. And right now, New York state needs a leader who can devote full time to this service.”

Paterson said he looks forward to the conclusion of Cuomo’s investigation. Holding his right hand up, Paterson said: “I give you this personal oath. I have never abused my office. Not now. Not ever.”

Well, the New York media and the WH have gotten what they wanted. The Obama admin has been pressuring Paterson for months behind the scenes not to run for re-election, and the New York media – especially the NYT – have been publishing one negative article after another about the Governor. Not that he’s a politico anyone should feel sorry for, considering his routine race-card playing and just a general bad running of the state, which was reflected in his low ratings.

Michelle Malkin adds:

Call it Patrick Gaspard’s revenge. Recall how Obama’s top White House domestic policy aide — the ACORN/WFP/SEIU “air traffic controller” — intervened in NY-23, has kept his till in the NY politics pot, and made the unpopular Paterson a target to pave the path for Cuomo.

Behold the persuasion of power.

Yep.

Dave B says:

February 26, 2010 at 11:40 pm

The Attorney General of the State initiated an investigation involving the Governor and HE’S going to be the one to run for the office? Anyone else have a problem with that?

Tom TB says:

February 27, 2010 at 5:48 am

Attorney General Cuomo is indeed running for the job Paterson holds now

Carlos says:

February 27, 2010 at 11:19 am

That NY voters, just like Illinois and California voters, screw themselves big time every election year doesn’t bother me in the least.

What does bother me, especially in the case of CA’s national elections, is that they screw the rest of the nation to boot, sending mental giants like Babbs and Pelousy and moral giants like Feinstein and Cunningham to inflict their particular pathogenic behaviors upon the rest of us.

Paterson doesn’t surprise me, neither does Cuomo. But the message to the rest of our nation’s politicians is, “See, you can do it and get away with it, too! This is the way the big boys do it!”

Kate says:

February 27, 2010 at 2:22 pm

You are so right Carlos…a new power template, thank you Donks!

Where is the power of the people in all this…oh, I forgot this is all about power to the powerfully invested. Cuomo has a big conflict of interest here…ethically, if he runs I would definitely use this against him. But, of course, the NY voters will continue to demonstrate their taste for liberal flesh.

Mike Giles says:

February 27, 2010 at 3:29 pm

Cuomo is beloved of the Democratic political establishment in NY, although he’s never been a fan favorite of the voters. As noted by another poster, it now looks like he torpedoed the Governor, to get his job. As a New Yorker, I’m willing to bet you that there’s one major Democratic voting block where his behavior won’t win him any friends.

Old Goat says:

February 28, 2010 at 8:57 am

Cuomo was the selected one for NY for a long time. Just think about the various national stories of “success” that were published about him throughout the year.

NY isn’t all Liberal Democrat, but NYC is overwhelmingly that way. That drives the state.

This election cycle might be interesting though as NY is in big trouble financially and the attitude of the Nation in general about the economy.

Lazio, the Republican running, doesn’t poll as well as Cuomo, though there are still people who remember Cuomo’s stint as Governor and may not be wild at another having that position. Patterson would have lost to just about any breathing body put out there.

Patterson was ineffective, gee, kind of like Obama, and had no backing from the party, unlike Obama.

Mario Cuomo had been a golden boy of the Democrat Party, but never ran for higher office. There are too many skeletons in his closet. (I know because of family on my wife’s side having close relationships with their family) Organized crime had a lot of dealings with the Cuomo’s.