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Beleaguered NY Gov. Paterson launches election bid

By FRANK ELTMAN , 02.20.10, 04:04 PM EST or two weeks, aides have been wrestling unsubstantiated rumors about the governor's personal life and, in the past week, publicly criticized a lengthy New York Times profile that portrayed Paterson as distracted and disengaged.

Conceding he's had a "difficult past few weeks," Paterson said he intends to press ahead.

"Innuendo and ridicule and false rumors, they leave a long and lasting effect. And it's no surprise that it comes in the middle of a budget process where special interests have a lot to lose, and at the beginning of a campaign," Paterson said to cheers. "This is not about me. This is about the people of the state of New York."

Paterson's announcement makes him the first Democrat in the race, but probably not the last.

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is expected to challenge Paterson in a primary. Cuomo is more popular in polls, among Democrats and, perhaps most importantly, with well-heeled campaign donors. He's sitting on a $16 million campaign account and hasn't even said yet whether he'll run; Paterson has about $3 million.

Leaked reports last September said President Barack Obama was among those who have pressured Paterson to step aside in the name of party unity.

Reflecting the possibility of an internal party fight, the lone politician on stage with Paterson on Saturday was the mayor of the village of Hempstead, Wayne Hall. Some Nassau County Democratic legislators and other local officials were in the audience.

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