Paterson Dooms Himself to Lose Vs. Andrew Cuomo

EXCERPTS:

ALBANY - Gov. Paterson sealed his own fate yesterday as he insulted state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo with his bizarre selection of little-known upstate Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand as Hillary Rodham Clinton's successor.

The only question being asked in state Democratic circles was not if - but when - Cuomo, who did not attend yesterday's press conference, will announce his candidacy to challenge Paterson in next year's primary.

"I see Gov. Cuomo in our future," quipped a prominent Democratic activist and lobbyist.

The Dem characterized Paterson's performance over the past three days "as nothing short of outrageous" - particularly in handling Caroline Kennedy.

Party insiders close to Cuomo say they expect the attorney general to announce he'll run for governor toward the end of this year. He's the most popular politician in the state, according to polls, and has a wealth of experience, including a stint as US secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Paterson indicated yesterday that Cuomo, son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo, really wasn't interested in the seat handed Gillibrand. But there were plenty of indications that wasn't so.

"Andrew never told the governor that he didn't want to be the senator from New York, and, frankly, he would have taken it if it had been offered," said a longtime Cuomo friend.

Another called the decision not to offer Cuomo the job "the biggest mistake of Paterson's career."

"Paterson sealed his own fate by that decision," the source said. "He could have gotten Andrew, who he knows wants to be governor one day, out of the way with the Senate job, but now he's given him no choice but to run for governor."

The insiders anticipate the situation at the Capitol worsening for Paterson, whose popularity has been sliding in recent polls, in the coming weeks and months.

It's an open secret at the Capitol that his administration has been devolving into chaos, bumbling and paranoia since October.

That's when Charles O'Byrne, the ex-priest who was Paterson's chief of staff-cum-personal adviser and confessor, resigned amid a tax-evasion scandal, leaving the governor without the skilled confidant he clearly needs.

For a governor with limited management skills and a substandard work ethic (two months to pick a senator?), the coming grind of budget cuts and tax hikes could be enough to convince him to gracefully bow out of office at the end of his term.

Paterson may have had such a thought himself yesterday, when, in an odd statement after announcing his choice of Gillibrand, he said he'd welcome the day Cuomo would become governor.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01242009/news/columnists/dave_dooms_self_to_lose_vs__andy_151642.htm

rec'd

and perhaps Mark Green and Carolyn Maloney may jump the fray. I think that Carolyn McCarthy will not run because she'll be happy that other gun control supporters may take the mantle.

The most legitimate, trustworthy, truthful, and credible rag in Gotham. :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

:sarcasm:

:eyes:

I suppose Cuomo could jump up and beat him, but if he does this appointment isn't likely to be the reason. Gillibrand looks like a very good selection actually and she'll probably be a star in the Senate.

Yes, the governor could have pulled the purely selfish political move and named Cuomo to get him out of the way, but I think his selection looks like a good one for New York and for the country.