Paterson defends himself against rumors

ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Albany is a tough town to begin with, but the rumor mill has been running overtime against Governor David Paterson. The Governor has come out swinging himself.

Governor David Paterson said, "I don't know who did this, believe me, if I knew I could have been addressing it."

But Governor Paterson admits, he still doesn't know what he's addressing.

"It's certainly not your favorite thing to do, to deny a bunch of allegations when there aren't any allegations that have been made against you, it's just speculation about an article the New York Times was studying," said Governor Paterson.

It all began last week when bloggers and some media outlets suggested Paterson was involved in drugs and was seen with other women. Allegations he flatly denied.

The New York Times is expected to run a profile piece on the Governor, but he was assured by the paper that there will be nothing printed having to do with the rumors circulating the entire Empire State.

Governor Paterson said, "I was interviewed for that piece today. No such questions related to any of that information was asked of me in the interview."

Bill Collins of Travers Collins & Company public relations said, "I thought he said all the right things."

Collins says the media has gotten out of control with this story.

"This is setting off a feeding frenzy, a circus, just talking about rumors," said Collins.

He believes the Governor handled the situation perfectly.

Collins thought, "What he said today was enough.'

The Governor also dispelled any rumor of him not running for re-election.

"The only way I'm not going to be Governor next year is the ballot box and the only way that I'll be leaving office before is in a box," said Governor Paterson.

That New York Times article is expected to hit newsstands on Wednesday. Paterson's Chief of Staff is releasing a letter to the editor of the Times, blaming the newspaper for failing to stem the rumors.

You can view that letter here .