Gibbs sidesteps issue of Gov. Paterson's feud with the president

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs deflected questions on Monday about whether the president had asked New York Gov. David Paterson (D) not to seek reelection next year.

The press secretary did, however, indicate that the Obama White House was no more or less involved in state and local politics than its predecessors.

"I think everybody understands the tough jobs that every elected official has right now in addressing many of the problems that we have, and I think people are aware of the tough situation that the governor of New York is in," Gibbs said during Monday's press briefing, never specifying whether Obama had directed the governor to bow out of the race.

But, Gibbs added: "I would somewhat not subscribe to the notion that this is new ... To quote Paul Begala, not to be involved in politics would be like taking the math out of physics."

Speculation swelled this weekend after The New York Times reported the White House was using political back channels to convince Paterson to bow out of the gubernatorial election.

But Paterson — currently suffering a 20 percent approval rating, according to one poll — has since indicated he plans to defend his seat in 2010, despite the Obama administration's alleged suggestion he do otherwise.

“I have said time and time again that I am running for governor next year,” the governor told the Times.

“I’m not talking about any specific conversations [with the White House],” he added. “As I said, I am running for office.”