GOP gubernatorial hopeful Carl Paladino’s campaign manager Michael Caputo released a statement seeking to clarify his candidate’s statement to The Watertown Times editorial board that Gov. David Paterson is a “drug addict; he’s been a drug addict his entire life.”

According to Caputo, Paladino was referring to Paterson’s “admitted use of cocaine, a highly addictive narcotic that ruins lives.”

“As anyone who ever fought to help a habitual cocaine user will tell you, once you are an addict, you are always an addict,” Caputo continued. “It is a constant fight to stay clean and productive in daily life.”

“Illegal drug abuse is not a small issue and cocaine abuse is one of the most troubling addictions. If the Governor is no longer using cocaine, then good for him, good for his family and good for the State of New York.”

“But once you are an addict, you are always an addict. And if the Albany ruling elite is okay with present or past drug use among their political leaders, they need to know that the vast majority of New York is not.”

Caputo went on to note that the “not politically correct” Paladino, who has no intention of changing his approach at this stage in the game, is the only one of the gubernatorial hopefuls who has never used marijuana, cocaine or “any other illegal drug.”

“The Office of the Governor is no place for drug abusers – and Carl is not one of them,” Caputo concluded.

“Carl is not politically correct. Carl tells it like it is. And if this is uncomfortable talk for the Albany crowd, they should buckle their seat belts because this will not be the last offense of their delicate sensibilities.”

Actually, upon reflection, I’m not sure that this is a clarification after all, or an adding of fuel to the fire. I’ll leave you to be the judge of that.

Earlier this week, AG Andrew Cuomo again copped to smoking pot in his youth. (This isn’t the first time he has revealed that).

GOP gubernatorial hopeful Rick Lazio admitted he also toked up back in the day.

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