TROY, NY — President Obama inflicted a stunning series of slights and snubs on Gov. Paterson during a visit to upstate New York yesterday, making it plain for all to see that Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is his governor-in-waiting.
The awkward stopover by the Democrat-in-chief came just days after an Obama aide delivered the ominous message that Paterson’s planned run for governor next year would not have White House support.
Although the pair shared some cordial words, polite handshakes and a stiff hug on the tarmac in Albany, many observers agreed the visit was conspicuous for the courtesies Obama denied Paterson — and for his effusive praise for Cuomo.
The ice-cold shoulder was apparent from the start of Obama’s speech at Hudson Valley Community College, in which the president used his opening remarks to damn Paterson with faint praise.
PHOTOS: OBAMA’S AWKWARD GOV ENCOUNTER
“First of all,” Obama said, pausing as if to search for the words, “a wonderful man, the governor of the great state of New York — David Paterson is in the house.”
But Obama never referred to the job Paterson is doing as New York’s chief executive.
The president looked down as he finished the line, avoiding any glance at Paterson seated to the left of the podium.
The governor, in turn, remained in his folding chair and offered only a quick wave.
Obama than turned toward Cuomo — seated two chairs from Paterson — and smiled broadly.
“Your shy and retiring attorney general — Andrew Cuomo is in the house,” Obama quipped, adding, as if to drive home the point about the AG’s performance as a public servant, “Andrew is doing great work enforcing the laws that need to be enforced.”
Cuomo returned the smile, stood, and extended Obama a thumbs-up.
Paterson did not find any support this morning from former President Bill Clinton.
Appearing on NBC’s “Today” show, Clinton said the governor is “not in good shape now” politically, but ultimately will consider what’s best for his state before deciding whether to run next year.
He called Paterson “a good man” and said he trusted him to “make a good decision.”
The public exchange struck many who watched as a clear signal of the president’s intention to steer the party toward Cuomo for governor next year.
“I think that you would have to be pretty dense not to get the message,” said Doug Muzzio, a politics professor at New York City’s Baruch College.
Obama also excluded the governor from a quick reception in a holding room where Cuomo, Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson of Brooklyn and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli got to chat with the president.
After arriving from the reception, Cuomo pulled Paterson close for a hug, but the embrace appeared stiff. They chatted briefly.
Cuomo smiled throughout the event.
“It wasn’t awkward,” said Sampson, who sat in one of two seats between Paterson and Cuomo. “It was a very nice casual conversation. They’re friends, and they understand that it’s not about them.”
The governor’s face shifted between pensive and grim in the extended wait for the presidential entrance.
He flashed only an occasional smile in reaction to a cluster of boisterous congressmen to his right, and chatted sporadically with DiNapoli to his left.
Last night, Paterson downplayed Obama’s praise for the AG, quipping, “So would I. He’s been a fine attorney general.” He also brushed aside Obama’s failing to comment on his job performance.
“I speak in front of audiences all the time,” he said. “You know, you look at someone and you just react to what thought it is.”
Hours after the diss of Paterson, Obama was in Manhattan — where he is taking part in this week’s UN General Assembly meeting — and was spotted running in workout clothes outside the Waldorf-Astoria on his way to a church across the street to play basketball with some aides.
Obama, who was traveling with the vice president’s wife, Jill Biden, chose the community college for his visit because students there are training to produce an advance form of semiconductor at a nearby plant.
As had been planned before the White House waded into the state’s intraparty squabbles, Paterson greeted Obama on the Albany International Airport tarmac after Air Force One touched down.
A stoned-faced governor extended his hand to Obama for a stiff handshake, and they shared a brief embrace. Obama said a few words into Paterson’s ear that witnesses said were inaudible over the roar of jet engines.
The governor did not take questions from reporters and reiterated last night he plans to defy Obama’s efforts to force him from the race.
“I’m running for election,” he said. “I’m sure you’ve written it before. Now you can circle it.”
Although Paterson allies continued to question widespread media reports detailing Obama’s intention to drive the governor from the race, Obama’s press secretary, Robert Gibbs, pointedly made no attempt to correct the record at his daily White House press briefing.
“I wouldn’t add a lot to what you’ve read, except this is a decision that [Paterson is] going to make,” Gibbs said.
Meanwhile, former Gov. George Pataki scolded Obama for getting involved in New York politics, charging that “to weaken and undermine the governor . . . doesn’t serve the interest of our country.”
Additional reporting by Fredric U. Dicker, Maggie Haberman and Charles Hurt