A meeting of Democratic leaders from more than a dozen upstate New York counties shows a continuing rift within the party over whether Gov. David Paterson should end his election bid.

No vote was taken in Saturday’s private meeting that excluded the state party’s leadership.

Rockland County Democratic Chairman Vincent Monte says there was overwhelming support at the meeting for Andrew Cuomo, the attorney general who hasn’t said whether he will run for governor.

He says Democratic county leaders will continue to discuss their concern with Paterson’s viability as a candidate without the state party’s leadership.

Though he didn’t attend the meeting, state Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs says there was support voiced for Paterson, too. He says the process to choose the nominee continues.

In the wake of the Massachusetts Senate race, could a primary be a bad thing for New York Democrats?

“There’s always time for democracy in this state so if somebody wants to run a primary, they’re certainly welcome to,” Paterson said.

Cuomo agreed.

“If we have primaries, democracy says we have elections. That’s the essence of the system and that is a good thing. That is nothing to run away from,” he said.

The attorney general, however, refused to be drawn into a political tit-for-tat with Paterson. A spokesman said he was concentrating on the job he was elected to do and will focus on politics “at the appropriate time.”

(Source: WCBSTV)