Over the weekend it ws reported in the NYT that President Obama requested NYS Governor David Patterson to not run for election in 2010. Heads exploded around the internets. I know I no longer reside in NYS, so I understand it might be puzzling as to why I am writing about this today. I still love my home state, but this has far bigger implications for the Democratic party on a national scale.

I have seen everything tossed around from it being racist to it being revenge for his not choosing Caroline Kennedy. I submit to you that this is all utter nonsense. What it is, is pure politics. We usually don't see these negotiations made so public, but they happen all the time. That is just a political reality. I have read a number of reports that these were meant to be private conversations, and that someone leaked them.

Aside from the fact that Patterson has been doing dismally in NYS, he is already close to 60 points behind Andrew Cuomo for that seat. Cuomo currently serves as the States Attorney General. Here, check these numbers out: Marist College poll found him with a 20% approval rating, compared with 21% in June. Only 24% of Democrats felt he was doing well. 70% of voters said Paterson isn't a viable candidate for 2010, including 65% of Democrats.

Meanwhile, Cuomo's job approval rating is 69%. At the same time, 67% of New Yorkers felt he should run for governor, including 77% of Democrats.

Why is this important? Guess who most likely will be running as the Republican Candidate? Rudy Giuliani. Cuomo still polls higher than Rudy. This is critical because of the bigger national implication to this race. Not only would it put Giuliani back in the national spotlight, with the GOP having both California and NYS in gubenatorial control, it would literally give them a platform to say they are not a regional (read Southern) party. They can claim that they are on the comeback with the 2 biggest states on the coasts.

Also critical issue to this is all of the conservative districts in the state that elected Democrats to the House of Representatives. See Kirsten Gillibrand's former district (NYS-20) and John Halls District (NYS19). With someone like Giuliani on the ticket against Patterson, the chances of those districts (and a few others in the state) would tip back to the GOP. Imagine NYS going Red. Even more important, Rudy would at that point run again for President.

David Patterson - A non elected Governor, should do the right thing and step out of the race. He has shown to be an ineffective leader. He supported tax increases on middle income folks and opposed increases on the very wealthy. He mocked Unions and disabled people after being outraged at a SNL skit. (video at link) The video is out there-- and don't think for a minute the GOP won't use it - They want NYS badly, and Patterson will be handing it to them on a silver platter.

Let's hope David Patterson does the right thing.

&
Raine