'Rin Tin Tin Could Beat Paterson'

Looks like Barack Obama has his priorities in order. Forget terror threats, an economic morass and his own party facing huge trouble at the national level. His main focus is replacing one Democrat governor with another. Nothing like showing true leadership through petty spitefulness.

President Obama still wants Gov. Paterson dumped from the Democratic ticket, even though the field of GOP candidates for governor is weaker now that Rudy Giuliani is out of the race, a high-level source close to the White House told The Post.

Paterson told friends and associates in recent days -- and even suggested on "Larry King Live" -- that the announcement by Giuliani, who polls showed would have crushed Paterson, has led the president to reconsider the stunning September disclosure that he was opposed to the governor's candidacy.

But the White House source, who has direct knowledge of the president's views, insisted, "Nothing has changed."

"Rin Tin Tin could beat Paterson," said the source, a well-known figure in state and national Democratic circles.

"Paterson's position is as bad as any incumbent governor anywhere in America."

The source said Attorney General Andrew Cuomo "has to run," and predicted he would be a strong candidate.

While the source wouldn't say whether Obama would intervene even more aggressively to force Paterson out of the race, he suggested the governor might have no choice. "This has its own weight," he said.

Paterson spokesman Peter Kauffmann said the governor wouldn't be "commenting on any private conversations with the White House."

Paterson, who became governor in March 2008, after Eliot Spitzer resigned amid a hooker scandal, has been fighting record-low poll numbers, fund-raising problems and the state's fiscal crisis.

In two years Obama himself may well be staring at record-low poll numbers, fund-raising problems and a national fiscal crisis.

Rin Tin Tin could be a contender come 2012.

Meanwhile, one New York Democrat up to his neck in ethical problems casts his lot with Paterson.

Instapundit links. Thanks!