Biden backtracks on Paterson endorsement

June 3, 7:16 PMNY Government ExaminerMichael A. Harris

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FILE: HARRIS/EXAMINER

Vice President Joe Biden said that comments viewed by man New Yorkers as an endorsement of the state's unpopular Democratic Governor David A. Paterson have been taken out of context.

Speaking at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee Monday, Biden acknowledged Paterson, whose approval rating is a dismal 17 percent as "Your once and future governor of the state of New York."  Biden said that  the New York Governor "has been ex tremely generous to Barack and me and has been a major part of us trying to put this economy back together."

There has been much talk in Democratic political circles of dropping Paterson from the ticket in next year's gubernatorial election.

A spokesperson for the gaffe-prown Vice President said that Biden was merely offering praise to a friend

"It was a statement of friendship and admiration for the governor, and was not intended as a political statement," Biden spokes woman Elizabeth Alexander said.