The decision to ask Mr. Paterson to step aside was proposed by political advisers to Mr. Obama, but approved by the president himself, one of the administration officials said....
The move against a sitting Democratic governor represents an extraordinary intervention into a state political race by the president, and is a delicate one, given that Mr. Paterson is one of only two African-American governors in the nation....
"The message the White House wanted to send - that it wants Paterson to step aside - was delivered," said the Democratic operative, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were intended to be confidential. "He is resistant."
I think we'd better build a much more thriving democratic political culture in New York State, one that doesn't invite such tinkering.
