New York Gov. David Paterson isn't scrapping his plans to run for the office he inherited 18 months ago, despite growing pressure from Washington, including U.S. President Barack Obama.

"My plans for 2010 are to run for governor of the state of New York," Paterson said Sept. 20 after serving as grand marshal to the African-American Day Parade in Manhattan. "I am running for office."

Paterson's remarks come amid mounting pressure from Washington and within New York to drop out because of his low poll numbers, and concerns from other Democrats that he might hurt their chances in 2010.

"I think the White House is very concerned about 2010," said Lee Miringoff of the Marist College poll, which recently found Paterson mired in some of the lowest approval ratings of any New York governor.

But the signals from Washington Democrats may be what New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, riding high in the polls, needs to increase fundraising for a possible run for governor. Cuomo has refused to challenge Paterson so far, and has declined to say if he will seek the job held by New York's first black and legally blind governor.