ALBANY — Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (pictured) predicted for the first time yesterday that Andrew Cuomo would run for governor next year — while refusing to endorse Gov. Paterson.
In fact, Silver — the state’s No. 2 Democrat — all but goaded Cuomo into making a run in 2010.
His praise for the attorney general, which comes at the expense of Paterson, is the latest sign of the deteriorating relationship between Silver and the governor.
When asked whether he thought Cuomo would run next year, Silver replied, “I do,” and noted polls show registered Democrats favor the attorney general over Paterson 3 to 1.
“He’s clearly shown he’s popular, and he’s always wanted to be governor, and I think he thinks it’s his opportunity,” Silver said on WGDJ 1300AM in Albany. “That’s why I said I think he would run.”
Silver declined to endorse either Cuomo or Paterson.
A spokesman for Paterson last night responded, “The governor is focused foremost on keeping the state on stable fiscal footing. The more who wish to join him in that endeavor, the better.”