By Michael Gormley Associated Press
ALBANY N.Y. National Democratic Party leaders have asked Gov. David Paterson to consider withdrawing from the 2010 governors race according to two senior New York Democratic advisers. The New York Times which originally reported the request on its Web site said it was President Obama who asked Paterson to withdraw. Both advisers who are close to the governor spoke to The Associated Press on Saturday on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak for Paterson. The sources said it was unclear what Paterson would do in response.
Party leaders in Washington have become concerned about Patersons political weakness believing the governors office is too important to risk losing one of the state Democratic advisers told the AP on Saturday.
A message about the race was delivered from top national Democrats at a dinner Friday night with Paterson but it was unclear whether it was at the direction of Obama one of the advisers said. The Democratic leaders spoke of a concern referred to as the David Paterson problem" the adviser said.
The request has been in the works for a couple weeks and the intention was to wait until after the states primary to deliver it the other adviser said.
Patrick Gaspard Obamas political director was scheduled to meet with the governor on Monday one of the sources said.
Later Sunday the Times reported Paterson vowed to run for election. Appearing at a paradein Harlem he said he
would not abandon his campaign to seek a full term.
I have said time and time again that I am running for governor next year" he said at the 40th annual African-American Day Parade. Asked about any contact with the White House Paterson said he would not discuss confidential conversations."
Im not talking about any specific conversations" he said. As I said I am running for office."
Obama is scheduled to be in upstate New York that day when he is expected to deliver a vision of economic revival to students at the Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.
As lieutenant governor Paterson moved to the governors office in March 2008 with Eliot Spitzers resignation amid a prostitution scandal. But in the months since his popularity has plummeted and the states economic situation deteriorated with job losses mounting and the unemployment rate rising to the highest in 26 years.
Paterson has announced he will seek a full term in the 2010 election.
