Last Call

NY Gov. David Paterson is keeping an "open mind" about suspending his re-election campaign.

At this point, it's all over as soon as Andrew Cuomo agrees to run.

"I am not suspending my campaign, but I am talking to a number of elected officials around the state, as I would, fellow Democrats, to hear their opinions," he told reporters in New York City. Asked about the calls for him to back out of the race, Paterson said he had "an open mind" about the situation.

"I want the Democrats to win this November," he said. "I want the governor of the state of New York to be Democratic, hopefully me, and I will weigh what they have to say, but right now I am a candidate for governor."

Paterson said he is in the race "for the long haul," but added: "I am not in it without having my colleagues feel they can talk to me about this."


He expressed confidence that the state Attorney General's office - led by Andrew Cuomo, the Democrat who has been mulling a primary challenge to Paterson - will clear him of any wrongdoing. Ultimately, he said, "everyone will understand."

He said he would not resign the governor's office.

Well, it's not like Gov. Appalachian Trail resigned either.  Interesting however...there's a bit of a problem shaping up for Cuomo right now.  If he goes after Paterson too hard, he risks looking like he took Paterson down to win the Democratic nomination for Governor.  If he is too soft on Paterson, he risks looking like Paterson's corrupt buddy.

If Cuomo is running, the first thing he needs to do is recuse himself from this case.  Cuomo needs to put the pin back in that little grenade ASAP.  And he's better hurry:  Rick Lazio, the Republican running for Governor, is already attacking Cuomo for being silent on this matter.