Governor David Paterson won't get challenge from Andrew Cuomo

Primary fights are great for Democrats, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo asserts.

And no, he insisted again Sunday, he has no plans to challenge Gov. Paterson.

Intraparty battles can be "very productive" if they are "constructive and not destructive," Cuomo told fellow Dems at a state party meeting in Westchester.

"The Democratic Party is essentially a party of primaries," said Cuomo, who said his "plan" is to run for reelection.

President Obama is "a product of primaries," Cuomo said, noting the former Illinois senator landed the presidential nomination by beating Hillary Clinton in 2008 and defeated fellow Dems in a 2004 Senate primary.

Asked if Paterson or Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand will face a primary, Cuomo replied: "Oh, who knows what's going to happen next year. Next year is a long way away."

At the same meeting, Paterson delivered what a campaign aide called the "unofficial kickoff" of his stump speech:

"I am not governor to be a caretaker," Paterson said. "I am governor to take care of New York."

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