Despite Obama pressure, Gov. Paterson says he’s running
Paterson was responding to reports of Obama’s request that he not pursue the Executive Mansion, delivered by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) on Friday. The governor didn’t deny receiving the message, only saying, “I am not going to discuss confidential conversations.”
Meeks could not be reached, but a Democratic Party source confirmed the topic of the dinner conversation. A Paterson aide also said White House political affairs director Patrick Gaspard met with the governor last Monday to discuss worries that Republicans will win key state and congressional seats because of him.
Democrats now control both houses of the State Legislature and all statewide offices for the first time since 1935. But the party’s domination is tenuous with a two-seat majority in the State Senate and the offices of governor, comptroller and junior U.S. senator held by appointees. Also, if the GOP regains the State Senate next year, it would be able to redraw districts for the legislature and House of Representatives, preserving power for a decade.