Paterson launches early campaign ads
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/06/art.youtube.cnn.jpg caption="Paterson is going up early with two campaign ads."](CNN) - In what may be an effort to quiet speculation he will drop his bid for a full term, embattled New York Gov. David Paterson is hitting the airwaves with a major ad buy intended to reintroduce himself to voters.
Just under a year before Election Day, the New York Democrat is going up with two ads statewide that highlight his unique biography and address his critics head on.
"Some say I shouldn't be running for governor," Paterson says in one of the ads, called 'Some say.' "It might have been easier if all I thought about was running for governor. But I think it's more important to do what's right for the people of New York."
The second ad, called "When," notes the governor's blindness and the lessons he has learned from both his successes and failures throughout life.
"When you become governor, you learn you will make mistakes," the ad's narrator states. "But in the depths of a historic recession you take what you have learned and have the strength to do what's right."
Tracy Sefl, a spokeswoman for Paterson, said the commercials will run for several weeks and constitute a "multi-million dollar" ad buy.
The early and expensive advertising blitz is perhaps a gamble for Paterson, whose approval rating stands at 30 percent, according to a recent Quinnipiac University poll. Paterson also trails New York Attorney Gen. Andrew Cuomo by more than 40 points in a hypothetical 2010 Democratic primary match up, according to that poll. Cuomo has not yet announced whether he will challenge Paterson.
But Sefl brushed aside suggestions the campaign is in danger of burning through its coffers before most voters are paying attention, noting they have already received an "incredible response" from supporters who had seen the ads.
"Voters want to hear his story," Sefl said.
Paterson was lieutenant governor when a scandal led to then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer's departure from the office in March 2008.
From CNN Politics
- Before he represented Trump, defense attorney speculated Stormy Daniels saga was true and payment could be seen as an in-kind campaign contribution
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Untitled
- Parlatore testified to grand jury in Mar-a-Lago classified docs probe in December
- The new cold war in Americans' pockets
- Biden kicks off 'Invest in America' tour next week
more worried about the power and looting the nation than being ethical, and work for the nation....ha..
remove this clown, Rudy for GOV!
Poor citizens of NYC you get a full year of polital bs comericals.time for campain reform and new party choices and not the same stuff evey year.
I actually like Patterson. He seems like a much more honest person than your typical politician.
Like every other governor in the nation he's dealing with an economic crisis that's lowering incoming revenue while at the same time increasing spending pressures. States can't just add to their debt the way the Federal government can. So state governors are forced to make unpleasant decisions. Patterson is unpopular because he's making those unpleasant decisions, meanwhile the NY legislature plays politics like they always do, and NY residents refuse to vote for a politician that speaks to them as adults.
He's right about one thing – Obama couldn't keep NJ so why should he worry about what Obama wants him to do.
This man really thinks he is going to be reelected......
Drop out and let it go Paterson. Don't waste your time, money or energy on this. I'm sorry but it is what it is.
Remember, he wasn't elected, but replaced our Fornicator-in-chief, Spitzer. His chances of staying as governor are slim to none. He probably won't even make it through the primaries.
I can't imagine any resident of New York state voting for Patterson. He lacks creativity and does not take the people's needs into consideration while he comes up with new taxes and money grabs. NYS already is the most taxed state in the country. The real problem is the bloated NYS government, which by the way is the largest employer in the state! If he cared what the people think, he would look within before ever considering placing more of the burden on the people.