This is what I learn when peeking in over at MyDD and Jerome's update in his post.
Paterson Sees 'Desperation' By Clinton, Disagrees On Florida And Michigan
heh.
It's not a long piece. Do read the whole thing. These answers by Governor Paterson are in response to a question by a radio caller. I've already quoted a bit more than I should, so if you want to know what the question was, you'll find it at the end of the NY Daily News piece.
While he stressed that he continues to support Clinton and will do so until "she makes a different determination," Paterson, a superdelegate, said he doesn't believe the DNC should change the rules after the fact on Florida and Michigan and added that he's not buying her claims about leading the popular vote if the ballots cast in those states were counted.
"I would say at this point we're starting to see a little desperation on the part of the woman who I support and I'll support until whatever time she makes a different determination," Paterson said, adding: "I thought she was the best candidate and I thought she had the best chance of winning."
Interesting he uses the past tense, even though he says he'll continue to support her. He could have said, "I still think she's the best..." Then again, maybe I'm reading more into that than I should
Paterson was present at the DNC committee meeting when the issue of penalizing Michigan and Florida was voted on. He personally didn't think the decision was fair, nor did he agree with it, however:
But he also noted "nobody was screaming" after that decision was made, although some people were unhappy with it, adding:
"There was a process. I thought at the time everybody agreed to it. I didn't hear any objections from the candidates...So I would think the Democratic National Committee would leave it where it is."
And finally, regarding Clinton's claims that the seating of the delegates is akin to the civil rights movement:
"You have to rule out the undecideds in Michigan. You have to assume she won 100 percent to nothing in Michigan. I don't think anybody in their right mind would do that, nor would they see it as a civil rights issue."
I'm assuming he still sits on that committee and is one of the 13 Clinton 'supporters' who do. That bodes well in arriving at a reasonable conclusion to this mess.
Update I: Well, dang. He's not on the Rules Committee per davidkc below. List at the HuffPo.
Update II: From an AP article on the same interview:
A Clinton spokesman declined comment.
Surprise. Surprise! ;o)
Update III: (h/t to kenjisan for the link via TPM)
Audio:
Good on Gov Paterson. It appears that good and reasonable Clinton supporters are still out there.
PS: If this was already diaried, let me know so I can delete.