Gov. Paterson’s campaign opened fire on Attorney General Andrew Cuomo after the Daily News reported he’ll soon announce he’s running for governor.

“Voters have had enough of Albany politicians winking at them while doing nothing to solve their problems,” said Paterson campaign manager Richard Fife.

“Since it’s clear Mr. Cuomo is running for governor, it’s time for him to stop ducking the hard questions of how he would close a $7.4 billion deficit, balance the budget and pass ethical and fiscal reforms.”

Paterson has frequently said his poll numbers have suffered because he’s had to make tough decisions during a fiscal crisis – as those eying his job sit on the sidelines.

A source told The NY Daily News that Cuomo, who’s been coy about his plans, intends to announce in late March that he’s running.

While Fife went on the attack, Paterson tried to stay above the fray while watching the Jets game on the upper East Side with seven members of the National Guard.

“That’s a decision he has to make,” Paterson said of Cuomo. “There are a lot of reports out there all of the time, which are not always true, including reports about myself.”

He added, “I’d like the attorney general to handle reports about him.”

A Cuomo spokesman did not have an immediate comment.

Several Dems last week said they hope Cuomo runs for governor, and a top union leader went so far as to send a letter to state Democrats also urging him to do so.

Cuomo is far outperforming Paterson in the polls and among donors.

Although Paterson’s dismal poll numbers have improved a bit in recent months, 60% of New Yorkers still would prefer someone else as governor.

Meanwhile the NY Post is reporting that Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver believes that Paterson is “history” and may not win enough votes from his own party leaders to be on the primary ballot in September.

Silver’s tense relationship with Paterson deteriorated “beyond repair” last week in the wake of the governor’s stepped-up attacks on the Legislature and his threat to veto a modest state government ethics bill, sources told the Post.

“Shelly has had it with Paterson. He just shrugs when his name is even mentioned because he believes he’s history,” said a source close to Silver.

Insiders said Silver and Senate Democratic leader John Sampson of Brooklyn are virtually certain to back Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Paterson needs 25 percent of the vote at the spring nominating convention to win an automatic spot on the primary ballot — and few party leaders think he has the support.

(Source: www.nydailynews.com)