THE ISSUE: Whether Gov. Paterson should heed Pres. Obama’s advice and not run for governor.

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I am an African-American, and I resent that President Obama is trying to convince Gov. Paterson to get out of next year’s race (“Bam Cuts Gov on the Bias,” Sept. 21).

It could only be because Obama is afraid of the precedent it might set if a black chief executive loses two years before he runs for re-election.

Justin Gaine

Manhattan

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Paterson is a disaster, and Obama may be right in urging him to step aside for the good of the party.

But could you imagine if a white president were to do the same? Sound political strategy would be called racism.

S. Munroe

Hoboken, NJ

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Paterson is not the most adept politician in New York, but he is a gentleman with an abundance of integrity.

James J. Ring

Ossining

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Obama’s treatment of Paterson is disgusting. Paterson may not be doing a good job, but he is our governor, and he should be accorded respect.

Whether or not he stays on as governor is a decision that the people of New York will make. The president has no right to tell him whether he should or should not run.

Joseph A. Levy

Rego Park

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I don’t see why Paterson should be pressured by Obama to get out of the next election for governor.

After all, Paterson is doing as good a job as governor of New York as Obama is doing as president of the United States.

Frank Baldino

Hamden, Conn.

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Neither Obama nor Paterson have a clue about what the American people want or what this country really needs.

Jane Isabella

Johnstown