First, President Obama sent word to Gov. Paterson that maybe he shouldn’t run for election next year.

Now, former President Bill Clinton is weighing in, saying Paterson is “not in good shape now” politically, but expressing confidence Paterson will do what’s best for his state.

Interviewed on NBC’s “Today” show Tuesday, Clinton called Paterson “a good man” and said he trusted him to “make a good decision.”

Clinton’s comments came as a new poll shows Paterson has been unable to turn his ratings around.

Like Obama, 71% of those surveyed, including 67% of Democrats, say they would prefer someone else next year, a Siena College poll released Tuesday found.

Just 18% say would elect him to a full four-year term next year.

The results mirror a similar Marist College poll last week.

Nearly three quarters of New York voters view Paterson as well-intentioned but say he simply isn’t getting the job done, the Siena poll found.

While Paterson and his aides promised they would work to improve his standing by the fall, his job approval is just 18%, down from 23% a month ago.

His personal approval rating dropped to 29%, from 32% a month ago.

As in other polls, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, would trounce Paterson in a Democratic primary 66% to 20%, the poll found.

Obama last week sent word to Paterson he would prefer he not run, fearing his weakened position would make it likely former Republican Mayor Rudy Giuliani would run and win.

Giuliani would easily defeat Paterson 52% to 35%, but would lose to Cuomo 52% to 39%, the poll found. The only good news for Paterson is he has a slight 39% to 35% lead over Republican Rick Lazio, a former four-term Long Island congressman.

Cuomo would trounce Lazio and even leads him among Republicans. Lazio this morning officially announced he is running for governor next year.

(Source: NY Daily News)