Paterson Hits the Airwaves, Eyes Matchup with Rudy

Photograph by Tim Roske/AP

We apparently have one candidate officially in for next year's race for governor. Starting with a stop on NY1's The Call Friday evening, Governor Paterson made it abundantly clear this weekend that he has no plans to bow out due to pressure from Democrats who think he can't win and should step aside for Andrew Cuomo. Paterson told Dominic Carter, “The point is, the only way to stop me from winning the primary would be to create an atmosphere that would convince people, people who would like to support me, that I'm not running."

Paterson has been reaching out to influential figures key to a successful campaign and even went so far to put out his first commercial, seen below. We can't remember the last time we saw so many Paterson headlines that didn't include any dealing with his abysmal polling numbers.

Part of the Paterson plan of attack thus far has been to downplay any possible primary race with the man polling strongest as a potential candidate, Andrew Cuomo. Over the weekend while Paterson visited the National Action Network, Reverend Al Sharpton said, "That race is not going to happen. This is not about David and Andrew. This is about David and Rudy Giuliani. Come on and run, Rudy. We want you to run."

Another person trying to make the threat of Cuomo disappear is Rudy Giuliani. A NY Magazine piece suggests that Giuliani's reluctance to officially throw his hat in the ring is an attempt to play rope-a-dope with Democrats, convincing them he is not a threat in hopes that they will get behind the more vulnerable Paterson. But one Giuliani source thinks that he's overscheming as usual, telling the magazine, "It’s the same idiot strategy he had running for president."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Billy Parker in News on April 27, 2009 5:36 PM

Comments [rss]

freddynyc

Two idiots with speech impediments facing off? Let the freak show begin...

Mr Mel

Sharpton is positioning himself for a payoff.

Brooklynbobby

So when isn't Sharpton positioning himself for a payoff?

NannyState

Rudy and Davy in a two-way tie for Last Place.

Steven

Patterson the loser. If he wants to change New York then cut THE SPENDING. CUT THE SPENDING, PATTERSON.

Spirit of 76

Tell us how you really feel. Three times isn't enough. BTW, he IS cutting spending. That's why the MTA has to raise fares. Why the Bronx Zoo is sending animals off to other zoos. Why museums are cutting exhibits left and right. After all, why should Paterson care about museums and zoos? He can't see any merit in them, literally and figuratively. He's too busy doing... well, I can't imagine what he's doing most of the time. Except maybe thinking about how he'll run for re-election.

kissel

yeah, why bother cutting things that are big ticket items like union pensions, useless staff, medicare fraud, etc. this guy is toast.

Steven

Patterson the loser. If he wants to change New York then cut THE SPENDING. CUT THE SPENDING, PATTERSON.

Steven

Patterson the loser. If he wants to change New York then cut THE SPENDING. CUT THE SPENDING, PATTERSON.

y2julio

So while the MTA's budget is in the crapper and the deadline of the fare hikes is looming, this loser is more worried with getting a jump start on running for election next year? This idiot can't be serious.

dxsinghania

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

friend's i read your comment's and post's, it's very nice and i improve my more knowledge and information and if u don't mind i ask u tell something i want to know more info. about this if u plz help me them give me more information i am thankfull to you dear thank's.........

----------------------------

Dx

--------------------

temping jobs-temping jobs

Kevin Walsh

Hm, he's a governor who's apparently overmatched and has been sinking in the polls for months. Needs thousands of mainstream votes.

So he calls Sharpton!

Genius.

www.forgotten-ny.com

db

"Eyes matchup" - funny

Sommelier

ha!ha!ha!ha!Rudy...ha!ha!ha! thinks that...ha!ha!ha!he can get...ha!ha!ha!elected GOVERNOR? ha!ha!ha! In New York? ha!ha!ha! What a moron! ha!ha!ha!