By Jill Colvin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Gov. David Paterson shot down rumors that he’s eyeing Charles Rangel’s seat Friday morning.
In a guest-host gig on the John Gambling show Friday, Paterson said he isn’t interested in running for Congress if disgraced Harlem Democrat Rangel decides to resign.
He was censured by the House Thursday in connection with a series of ethics violations.
"I don't want to be a political re-tread," Paterson said, suggesting Assemblyman Keith Wright and City Councilwoman Inez Dickens as alternatives.
"I'm happy to step aside and let some other people run the state and that district," he added.
He also defended Rangel, calling the punishment "excessive."
But that didn’t stop Paterson from fueling speculation that Mayor Michael Bloomberg would stage a run for the White House if he thought he could win.
"He is watching and positioning just in case so he would have that option," Paterson said earlier, according to the Daily News.
In an interview for this month’s GQ magazine, Bloomberg sharply criticized the president for flip-flopping on the mosque near Ground Zero.
Rep. Peter King, a guest on the show, gave Paterson's co-hosting stint high marks.
"I would say the governor is probably another Rush Limbaugh," he joked.
Paterson said that working on radio is one of the options he's considering when he leaves office.
"It wouldn't bother me in the least bit," he said.
