WASHINGTON — Gov. Paterson was noticeably absent from a high-profile meeting of powerhouse black political leaders last night, featuring President Obama as the keynote speaker.
Instead, the governor, who is being pressured by the White House not to seek re-election, sat in a hotel room nearby, readying himself for an appearance on “Meet the Press” today, according to Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens).
The annual Congressional Black Caucus conference dinner, at the Washington Convention Center, is a who’s who of the African-American community, with more than 5,000 people attending.
Meeks, who reportedly relayed Obama’s snub to Paterson last week, insisted the governor’s absence was coincidental, noting that he also did not attend last year’s conference.
Obama and Paterson shared an awkward greeting Monday at an upstate New York event, where the president openly praised the governor’s political rival, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
Meanwhile, Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-Brooklyn) offered his support for the embattled governor.
“I would tell him the decision [to run] is his and whatever he decides to do, he can count on my involvement,” he said.