Reply #40: Paterson, a superdelegate, said he does not see the DNC changing its position [View All]

Paterson rejects Clinton's case for counting Florida, Michigan votes
By Tom Precious - News Albany Bureau
Updated: 05/22/08 3:30 PM


Associated Press
New York Gov. David Paterson says "we are starting to see a little desperation" on Sen. Hillary Clinton's part.


ALBANY — In a case of bad timing for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the top Democrat in New York is throwing cold water on her argument that primary votes in Florida and Michigan should be counted.

Gov. David Paterson said "we are starting to see a little desperation on the part of a woman who I supported and I'll support until whatever time she makes a determination.''

Paterson said he attended the Democratic National Committee meeting last year in which it was decided that Michigan and Florida contests would not be counted if those states moved up their primary dates to December. He said he opposed the move by the national party.

"I didn't agree with it at the time. However, right now as we come to a reconciliation, candidates have to be careful in their zeal to try to win that in some respects they're not starting to trample on a process,'' Paterson said without naming Clinton. "Everybody agreed to the process at the time.''

Paterson, in a call-in show this afternoon on an Albany public radio station, also questioned Clinton's demands that her performance in Florida and Michigan be counted as victories for her. In Michigan, he noted, the other Democrats, including Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, took their names off the ballot.

Paterson, a superdelegate, said he does not see the DNC changing its position on the Florida and Michigan primaries.