In the movie, “Dave,” Kevin Kline becomes the accidental president.
For New York Gov. David Paterson, there is no Hollywood ending. With Paterson’s job approval rating at 20 percent, President Barack Obama has reportedly asked the accidental governor not to run in 2010.
The New York Times reports:
The general election is more than a year away, but Mr. Obama and his political team are moving now in part because of signals from Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, that he may run for governor, according to Democrats who have spoken with White House officials. Many Democratic leaders believe that Mr. Giuliani’s presence at the top of the Republican ticket could spark enthusiasm among his party’s voters, who might otherwise have little desire to go to the polls.
At the annual African American Day Parade in Harlem, a defiant Paterson said, I’m running:
I have said time and time again that I am running for governor next year. My plans have not changed.
It’s ironic that Paterson is being asked to step aside out of concern that he would face Giuliani. At one of his weekly rallies earlier this year, Rev. Al Sharpton taunted Giuliani with “Run, Rudy, run”:
Come on and run, Rudy. We want you to run.
As for Attorney General Andrew Cuomo challenging Paterson for the Democratic nomination, Sharpton said fuhgetaboutit:
That race is not going to happen. This is not about David and Andrew. This is about David and Rudy Giuliani.
Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has already played the race card.
Get ready for more “teachable moments” about race.
