Manhattan Adult Entertainment: Paterson Announces Campaign
Paterson talked about how he has been an underdog his whole life, with people consistently telling him that he could not succeed because of his disability. But he said he has never backed down from a challenge.
Last fall, the White House asked Paterson to reconsider his election plans and most Democratic leaders have not rallied around his candidacy. No major statewide party leaders—including Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, who Paterson appointed in January—were joining him on the tour. The Associated Press estimated about 400 people attended this morning’s event.
“So many people are saying I shouldn’t run for governor. But you need to know that this is a governor that does not quit,” Paterson said, with his wife, Michelle, at his side.
Paterson’s popularity among voters soared after he took office, and he was credited with steadying the state Capitol after Spitzer’s stunning resignation due to his solicitation of a prostitute.