I hope "holy crap" is a more interesting way to say "breaking," but in any case it was the first thing that went through my head when I read the story on the New York Times website tonight. I just had to diary it before signing off for the night.
This is huge news for New York, and reveals just how ham-fisted the Governor has been with so many issues.
Basically, Governor Paterson's ratings are so low that the President is worried about his possible effect on Congressional races and the Democratic majority in the State Senate. They're also worried that Rudy Guiliani looks like he is going to run for governor (oh God, please spare us that one....)
But Paterson's terrible handling of other issues near and dear to the President, like filling Hillary Clinton's Senate Seat, apparently make it easier to break the news.
Congressman Greg Meeks apparently transmitted the request....
Doesn't help that the President's relationship with Governor Paterson has been shaky. The Times lists these reasons.
- Lame ass way he replaced Senator Clinton
White House officials had received assurances from Mr. Paterson that he would not pick Kirsten E. Gillibrand, then a little-known Democratic congresswoman from a heavily Republican district outside of Albany, according to a prominent Democrat who discussed the matter with a senior White House official.
The White House and Democratic House leaders were concerned that her sudden departure from the House would give Republicans a prime opportunity to reclaim the seat. Aides to the president conveyed those concerns to the governor, according to Democrats who have discussed the matter with Mr. Obama’s aides.
In the end, Mr. Paterson selected Ms. Gillibrand anyway, infuriating White House officials and Democratic leaders in Washington. Making matters worse, the governor also publicly snubbed Caroline Kennedy, a close personal friend and ally of Mr. Obama’s, who announced in December her wish to be chosen as Mrs. Clinton’s replacement, but then withdrew her name from consideration in January, citing personal reasons.
- Obama's advisors apparently also didn't like Paterson saying that his policies were attacked for racial reasons. I'll buy that - the Governor has done things to piss off enough people that the racist contingent gets lost in the shuffle.
So now Andrew Cuomo can run in the primary. According to the Times, there was a backlash against Cuomo when he primaried H.Carl McCall in 2002, since McCall was the first serious black candidate for governor. Right now Cuomo's approval ratings are sky-high at 74%.
And Cuomo has excellent name recognition, important if Guiliani Mr. Noun, Verb, 9/11 gets into the race.
Interesting developments in New York politics today.
Another Cuomo as NY governor is fine with me.
Needless to say, the Guv is not too happy.
Update: Yay, rec. list. Thanks.