A Pat On The Back Will Make It All Better?
By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on September 22, 2009 at 6:15 PM in Bamboozling, Current Affairs, Democrats, Hoodwinking, New York State, Pandering, President Barack Obama
You may have heard that this weekend, the White House strongly suggested that David Paterson, the current governor of New York, really shouldn’t consider a run in 2010. You know, the way only Chicago politicians can: leak out a strong encouragement, deny that they did any such thing, and make it seem like they never really said anything in the first place. Except, apparently, now they’re having to ‘fess up after all.
So, you can just guess how this went over when Obama and Paterson met on Monday up in New York. Can you say, AWK-WARD? I think this photo says it all:
I’m just thinking out loud here, but wouldn’t you think that the person whose job it was to get this, um, “hint” out there, that person, or someone else in the employ of the president, knew he was going to be SEEING that person like a day or two later?
Yes, “awkward” would be the word to describe it, as this article highlights,
Obama Arrives to an Awkward Hug From Paterson. Seriously - you’d think someone knew about this:
So what did he say?President Obama walked down from Air Force One after his plane landed shortly before 11 a.m. Monday. He and Gov. David A. Paterson exchanged a brief greeting. They shook hands. Mr. Obama gave Mr. Paterson a half-embrace, then whispered into his ear for a few seconds. It was impossible for anyone nearby to hear over the roar of the engines.
The meeting, on the tarmac at Albany International Airport, was the first time the two men crossed paths since the news broke that Mr. Obama had told Mr. Paterson that the White House had lost confidence in the governor’s ability to win election next year and that he should abandon his campaign for the good of the Democratic Party.
Also on Monday, for the first time, the White House publicly addressed the issue of the president’s involvement in New York politics and did not deny that Mr. Obama counseled Mr. Paterson to pull the plug on his election plans.
“Well, look, I think everybody understands the tough job that every elected official has right now in addressing many of the problems that we have,” Robert Gibbs, the president’s press secretary, told reporters aboard Air Force One. “I think people are aware of the tough situation that the governor of New York is in. I wouldn’t add a lot to what you’ve read, except this is a decision that he’s going to make. The president understands the tough job that everyone has and the pressure that they are under.”
I am just so sure he does. And how nice of him to add to that pressure for Gov. Paterson. He’s a giver, that Obama, he surely is. That probably explains this:
The awkwardness of the moment was perhaps reflected in Obama’s body movements on the tarmac. When he went in for the quick hug of Mr. Paterson, he turned his back to the television news cameras, almost as if to avoid the taking of images that would show the two men in a warm embrace. The news crews said that Mr. Obama did not appear to be smiling when he turned around.Mr. Obama moved on to greet others, but stepped next to Mr. Paterson to say a few things to the group of five or six people assembled around him. There were a couple of more pats on the back — Mr. Paterson on Mr. Obama and Mr. Obama on Mr. Paterson — and then it was over. Mr. Obama got into one car. Mr. Paterson got into another car. Plenty of New York media were on hand to visually catch the exchange.
The president was in town to deliver an economic address at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Mr. Paterson arrived at an industrial lab at the college around 11:30 a.m., before the president, and walked to his seat in the front row, just to the left of the stage where Mr. Obama spoke.
Mr. Paterson received light applause from the audience members once they realized he had arrived. At one point he was left standing by himself for about 20 seconds, while others around him greeted each other, his hands clasped in front of him.
Again, you’d think someone in the White House Staff might have known this trip was upcoming, especially since Andrew Cuomo was going to be there. That’s important to know:
A few minutes later, the state attorney general, Andrew M. Cuomo, and his entourage arrived. Mr. Cuomo is the Democrat many party leaders prefer as their gubernatorial candidate next year, believing he would stand a better chance of winning should Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, decide to make a run for the office.Mr. Cuomo was accompanied at the college by Senator John L. Sampson, the Democratic leader. After spotting Mr. Paterson, Mr. Cuomo gave him a hug, and the two chatted briefly and smiled.
Mr. Cuomo took his seat and socialized with local, state and party officials — at one point laughing so loudly that his laugh could be heard through loudspeakers set in the lab. He even waved at one point to the throng of reporters who were gathered around a set of bleachers next to where Mr. Paterson and all the other officials were awaiting the president.
Mr. Paterson, seated a few seats away, looked far more subdued.
The president began his economic address a few minutes before noon, after an introduction by Jill Biden, the wife of Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Mr. Paterson was seen playing with his mustache while the president spoke.
Mr. Obama had warm words for both Mr. Paterson and Mr. Cuomo.
“We have special guests here,” the president said. “I want to acknowledge, first of all, a wonderful man, the governor of the great state of New York, David Paterson. Next, your shy and retiring attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, is in the house. Andy is doing great work that has to be done.”
Mr. Obama left the college at 12:35 p.m and had one final brief exchange with Mr. Paterson along the rope line before leaving for the Albany airport. Mr. Paterson gripped the president’s hand with both of his. After leaving Albany, Mr. Obama was bound for New York City. (Nicholas Confessore reported from Albany, and Helene Cooper and Jeremy W. Peters reported from Troy.)
Oh, yes - I am sooooo sure Obama kissing up to Paterson, after basically telling him to get out of the way, is really going to do the trick. Yep - Paterson is probably all aflutter now that The One kinda sorta gave him a half hug, back pat combo something.
Did I forget something? I apologize, I sure did - when the White House tried to push Paterson out, you know what he did? He said he was running anyway. All I can say to Gov. Paterson is, Holla! A little shout-out for standing up to the pressure to get out of the way. Personally, I’m hoping Hillary Clinton will run for that seat, and no longer have to answer to Obama, but I applaud your tenacity. Well done, sir! You’re a brave man…
(Release: November 13)
on sale for only $16.95.
has a spatula.)
8% Off at $11.95, with a rare five-star ranking by 294 customers: 
And check out these: 
("This crazy redhead is on to something. Her pink Rambler story alone is worth the price of the book," writes 
- “Richard Sale’s reportage on Washington, the CIA, the American armed forces, and foreign intrigue has created a perfect background for this account of the steady growth of President Clinton as a master of the game of nations.”--W. Patrick Lang, former head of Middle East Operations, DIA
"Anne C. Heller's stunning biography of Ayn Rand" uses a "plethora of newly unearthed research and fresh insight."
Paterson blames all his problems on Obama’s weak presidency. Check out:
http://www.drudgereport.com
You can’t make this stuff up. But, gotta agree with Paterson on the “weak presidency” point.
Paterson is right. Obama is the reason Democrats could be facing a seismic change in 2010.
Also in a strange way, Obama’s interference in NYS politics could end up benefiting Paterson in the end.
Let’s hope so. Despite all the media’s slobbering over Gov Patterson’s supposed ‘missteps’ he’s a fine man and good governor. He’s one of the few politicians who are genuinely trying to do right by the citizens. Cuomo’s doing a great job as Attorney General of N.Y.State and should continue with it and forget a governorship run. The country needs his eyes on Wall Street.
Well I know he gained my respect when he refused to appoint Little Miss Uh-You-uhhhh-Know-ur-Who to the Senate.
Christ, from whence come these mush-headed, English-fracturing bozos? This is patent circular reasoning that only demonstrates that this group of clowns running the White House think they can argue their way out of any problem by speaking in terms that both assume–and end up at–the same point at which they started. That no one will take this clown on, speaks volumes about their lack of reasoning ability. All any of them (the press, press secretaries, and most politicians) know is how to sell s h i t that I, for one, wouldn’t hold in an ungloved hand. Peddle that reeking crock of manure elsewhere.
What really transpired is just like Moses and God, Obama whispered in Paterson’s ear, don’t confront me you sob. Moses took the credit for the water spewing from the rock when he struck it, Paterson is taking credit for his own popularity and not giving the glory to his highness on high, the ever chest thumping alfa gorilla called Berick Whoeshisname Obama. Obammy is a has been “America is the greatwest nation on earth lets change it”. Are you fired up and ready to go? Well the march on DC says yes we are fired up and ready to go. Goodbye to the worst president in the history of mankind. Hell yes we can, even while Louis Farrakhan greets their brother Muammar al-Gadaffi. I say “their”, meaning Lewey and Obammy. Fare-the-well to the man without a passport-uh, that is a birth certificate.
Right, Ferd. From whence cometh, indeed. Is Robert Gibbs the most unappealing and trite Press Secretary ever, or what? Is this really the spokesperson representing the regime of Hope and Change? Is he possibly Scott McClellan with minor plastic surgery? I suggested Suzanne Malveaux, but did Thee One listen to me? Nooooooo. Well, enjoy your Elmer Fuddish Robert Gibbs, Mr. President.
Yeah, he’s a McClellan all right, complete with a brain transfered from the little red hen.
Be vewwy, vewwy quiet, I’m hunting sound bites, heh-heh-heh-heh-heh.
O that’s vewwwy vewwwy funny, Ferd!
HE DOES seem a lot like Scottie McClellan, doesn’t he? Except Gibbs is much more arrogant, condescending, and patronizing.
And Hokma - you are absolutely right!
Thanks oowawa. What I’d really like to see is a Yosemite Sam-type journalist come around to take on Robert Fudd.
Blast your scuppers, ya flea-bitten varmint.
You know Ferd, this is really surprising–but yesterday I was actually thinking about how much you remind me of Yosemite Sam. (cue Twilight Zone music)
LMAO. He is my favorite WB character.
I could just imagine his interaction with Fudd:
Ya better tell the truth this time, ya hammer-headed mackerel. And if’n you don’t I’m a gonna count to one and start blastin’
ROTFLMAO–Yep, I’ll bet a lot of the trolls who wander onto this site feel like you’re Yosemite Sam too . . . (this is too funny!)
ROFL
Ya better whoa on that postin’ Obot… (thud)… when I says whoa… I means… whoa!
I’ve already re-named Barney Frank for Elmer Fudd…they sound just alike…Maybe we can have Fudd I and Fudd II.
What a waste of a theatrical opportunity. Paterson could have been rubbing his cheek with his middle finger or dusting off his shoulder while the president spoke. Guess he has too much class for such adolescent behavior.
That would have been great. And That One and the Obumblebots couldn’t accuse Paterson of being racist. Or could they? Questions, questions.
Hell, they couldn’t even accuse him of giving the POTUS the finger!
Teehee - wouldn’t that have been something? Then Paterson & Co. could claim it was no such thing, and Obama’s people were just being paranoid, seeing things that weren’t there, and on and on and on…
Okay, here’s the contest: what did he O tell Paterson in those “few seconds”?
My guess: “Hate to have to be the one to tell you this David, but you’re too butt ugly to win this election.”
Knowing how clueless and tone-deaf That One is, he said to Paterson, “Trust me, I wasn’t giving you the middle-finger cheek scratch I gave Hillary”.
ROTFLMAO - y’all are too funny!
I dunno - I think he might have told him he’d be hearing from some of Rahm’s Chicago friends…
Yikes! Play ball or you’re going to be a permanent fixture in a support beam on the EL?
“David–2 words–Jimmy–Hoffa”
Picture: Obama: ” Uh, I’ve changed my mind about uh, you uh, uh, hold on, David. I’ll set you up uh, with some friends of mine that uh, guarantee you’ll uh, get uh, uh, all the votes you need.”
You’ve got That One’s cadence down pat, buzz. LMAO.
LMAO
“Psst… David… I don’t think you’d look too all-fired dashing in a concrete overcoat”.
By the way, RRRA, another excellent write-up, with skewers appropriately sharpened.
Thanks, Ferd!
And thanks for the great comments - all of you! Not only good points, but funny ones, too, I might add!
Paterson should have been our first AA president. He’s got one helluva set on him and he actually worked to get where he’s at.
I think Philly mayor, Michael Nutter, would have been great. He, too, worked to get where he was (remember that Paterson got his position when Spitzer got in hot water. And even though Obama’s past isn’t allowed to count - thanks, Axelrove - Paterson’s might.).
Yes! I like Nutter and Cory Booker.
It’s bad enough New Yorkers have to put up with Paterson! Don’t inflict him on the whole country!
The man is an in competent race-baiter. He has made mincemeat of the NY budget, completely lost control of the house (remember the month-long house boycott and Paterson’s inability to get anything done)and he pushed for getting HRC out of the primary so Bo could steal it.
On top of that, he claimed before the (s)election that if the US didn’t coronate BO it would be proof of racism and he has made many references to the racist treatment he thinks he gets.
His very first act as governor was making displays of nooses a felony (not swastikas, anti-woman or gay-bashing symbols, too) based on a lie perpetuated by a Columbia professor who said a noose had been placed on her office door only to later retract and admit she’d put it there herself.
Paterson is ALMOST as bad as BO.
In that case, BO asking him to go is like the pot calling the kettle black.
That’s RAAAAACCCCCIST!!!!!!!
That’s okay, her highness Hillary or Hilarry or Hillarry will kiss it and make it bettterrr. Or at least put on the dog called heinz and not the kerry brand but the 57 state variety everyone has became accustomed to. Your socialist behavior at its best and god bless the united states of medicare and the islamic solution.
Thanks, basil - I seem to recall that abt Paterson now. With so many people ready to call anyone who didn’t vote for Obama a racist, it’s hard to keep up, ya know?
In that case, it IS surprising that Obama wanted to throw him under the bus.
Oh, wait - what am I saying? It is his MO to do that, isn’t it? He probably said, “Uh, um, well, LOOK, David, uh, I have the NOTION that Andrew, um, eh, uh, will do better than you because, well, look, it doesn’t matter why. I said so, that’s why. Thanks for your support in the past election.”
I would love to know what the President “whispered” into the Governor’s ear. Maybe:
“Next time, instead of words, expect poison in your ear.”
I hope Paterson holds fast. All this says to me: the Obama army is afraid, very afraid of Guiliani’s challenge and ultimate success. I have no problem with Cuomo running, but if the promary is a slug-fest obviously funds and energy would be spent supporting Cuomo over Paterson [who I understand is extremely unpopular in NY State at the moment].
Would I like to see HRC run? To be honest? Yes. Even though I value her expertise in SoS position, I have an unease about what’s going on in this WH and do not want to see her sullied by scandal and the obvious indesciveness that is everything Obama.
Should prove very, very interesting!
It should, indeed. I, too, think Paterson should hold fast, if only to put a well-earned bur in That One’s saddle.
Obama hates blind people.
Hell, Obama hates everyone that isn’t him.
Anyone else see the Dave Chapaelle video Clayton Bixby; Blind Black White Supremecist?
If you want a laugh and a wince at a great satirists version of racism, google it.
It’s worth the time.
I saw it posted somewhere else and it was beyond ROTFLMFAO funny.
Paterson didn’t know whether he was going to take one on the chin, or get a knife in the back! That does make for an awkward meeting.
He has used the race-card himself, though, and warned Hillary that he was losing patience, when she continued her campaign.
Now, he gets a boot to the back-side! My oh my!
Karma is a bitch, as they say Sassy!
Hope he feels good Paterson
What goes around comes around!
Now O is loosing patience with him.
A little off-topic, but did any of you see Greta last night? she has Lawrence Eagleburger on (older GWB’s SoS)and he blistered the Obama admin on foreign policy. She asked him about Honduras and he had this funny thing to say about Obama’s policy EXCLUDING HILLARY! He must respect her and he can’t understand why she’s putting up with THAT ONE!
VAN SUSTEREN: Now my favorite international story that’s not getting a whole lot of reporting, but we are pushing it here “On the Record” just to get a spotlight on it — the Honduras.
Tonight the report is that the former president, the who was ousted on June 28th, is back in that country, apparently in the Brazilian embassy. And the interim leader is not happy that he is there.
Is the United States right in its position in backing the President Zelaya, or not?
EAGLEBURGER: Absolutely not. Greta, you have been a hero of mine for a long time, but particularly when you took this on.
First of all, I have to admit that my first post in the Foreign Service way back a long time ago was in Honduras. It was my first post as a junior Foreign Service officer. And I loved that country. It was a great little country.
In this particularly case it is the government itself — not the president, but everybody else in that government, that’s trying to protect their democracy. The president clearly was planning, and still is, planning to try to take over the government and continue in office.
Frankly I think that his model is what he would like to be is another Chavez of Venezuela. The rest of the government has so far not allowed him to get away with it nor should they let him get away with it. And we should shut up and stay out of it.
VAN SUSTEREN: Why is it that we have backed President Zelaya if that is wrong?
EAGLEBURGER: One thing that I must say this administration has shown so many times, the only think I can say is it’s amateur hour. I exclude the secretary of state from that. I do not understand how that person has been able to stay with it so long when the president clearly ignores her as many times as he can.
But by and large, it is an easy thing to say, we must keep the resident in because he was elected. The only difficulty with this one is that they have not gone into the facts, because if they had they would see that the president was trying to steal the office.
VAN SUSTEREN: I should point out the interim leader, the man with whom we spoke, has asked that they come down and take another look at it. And maybe they will if we keep reporting on the story.
Steel Magnolia, this is very interesting indeed! Thank you for this.
That Greta - she is, without a doubt, one of the finest, most authentic, journalists out there. I have consistently been impressed with her abilities. And I love that she lets her guests answer her questions instead of trying to prove how smart she is, and talking over them all of the time…
I understand that Patterson is no prize as a governor. BUT, I get worried when the Executive Branch meddles in state affairs.
Amen, Tricia. That’s the problem, isn’t it?
I do think Hillary is incredibly valuable as SoS - as I have said, she’s the only adult in the room.
But, if she was governor of NYS, she would be able to do a lot of good for that state, get out from under the direct control of Obama, and further pad her resume (since apparently, her vast previous experience wasn’t sufficient - ahem). She would be a great governor, of course.
Anyway - thanks, Tricia!
Amy, I agree with your comments regarding HRC. I, too, value her expertise as SoS. But on the other hand: I’d like to see her get out while the getting’s good. I have very bad vibes about this Administration.
I don’ know. Putting another “post-racial” Obot in a position such as SoS would be a terrible mistake. We *really* don’t need another, especially since the Ship of State is both rudderless and captain-less.
That’s my only reservation, Ferd. Who would Hillary’s replacement be?
So far, I’m appalled at Obama’s choice of “advisors.” But a rudderless and captainless Ship-of-State is headed for disaster, one way or another. I keep going back and forth: should she stay or bail?
No easy answers. But I’d hate to see her chewed up by this Administration. Such a waste!
Yeah, it is difficult, either way.
I just love how Cuomo went from being a racist to being Obama’s golden eyed boy after Cuomo managed to make it on his own –(remember the race memo from the Obama campaign accusing Cuomo [then a Hilary supporter] of being a racist after he used the expression “shuck and jive”). Cuomo’s personal story is compelling, but I think that he might be making a mistake in hitching his wagon to Obama. There is still a lot of time for Obama to continue his royal screw-up — and at the rate at which he (Obama) is going, that is not a very long shot.
No megalomaniacal dictator has ever shown loyalty to anyone but himself. Stalin had most of his closest advisers and followers executed as soon as he had no more use for them. The same for Castro and Hussein and the rest of them. BO needs Democratic governors to further his agenda - and he doesn’t give a darn if he uses his power to threaten, cajole, intimidate or order them to get out of the way. He’s a PINO on his way to becoming the first American dictator.
This should be good. If Obama doesn’t support the AA candidate for Gov of NY or encourages him to not run is that racism? If those WH idiots think this will not backfire on them again they are supremely stupid.
Of course, their race-baiting, Americans are too stupid to think, and let’s not read the bills attitude doesn’t help.
Dictators are very good at demonizing any opposition. That’s what they do.
Obama throwing Patterson under the bus is a very, uh, dictator type move. Now why am I not surprised?
Is Voldemort on vacation? Why didn’t Rahm just put a horse’s head in the Govnor’s bed?
Seriously, this is just so wimp. I don’t want that bastard Giuliani as governor. Obama has screwed this up. Either buy the guy off, or take a picture of him having sex with a cocker spaniel, or put a horse’s head in his bed, or massage his ego and charm him out. Now he’s pissed Patterson off and Patterson is probably going to sandbag Cuomo.
I didn’t know what was up when Patterson pulled that stunt, claiming his bad polls were racism and dragging in Obama. Now it looks like it was a Spiro Agnew move: “lay off or I’ll play the race card on Cuomo.”
If Hillary wanted this guy out of the race, he’d be out of the race.
“breaking up is hardddd to do”
Michael Steele very cleverly implied that BO was racist for not supporting DP when he pointed out that even though Corzine’s approval numbers are similar to DP’s, BO is still supporting him!
Not said was why didn’t DP get equal treatment - could it be coz he’s AA?
ROTF!
[...] Ms. Paterson revealed what Obama whispered into Gov. Paterson’s ear when they met the other day. Are you ready? According to First Lady: Ms. Paterson also said that [...]