That's the message Governor Paterson says he's learned from the latest distraction in his rocky tenure. Reporting for a profile by the New York Times has sparked gossip Paterson is hiding something embarrassing about his personal life. Paterson denied allegations of improper behavior, but was still swept up in a rumor storm extraordinary even by Albany standards. And after staying out of sight for three days, he defiantly stepped in on Tuesday.

"The only way I'm not going to be governor next year is at the ballot box and the only way that I'll be leaving office before is in a box," Governor Paterson said.

In fact, not only isn't he resigning, Paterson is planning a formal election campaign kick-off. February 20, he'll be on Long Island, near this school he attended as a child. A New York City native, Paterson's family moved him there so the legally blind youngster could attend regular classes. The governor's kick-off will then move to Rochester, Buffalo and finally Harlem, his adult home.

While Paterson's political support is at best tenuous, sources say he'll seize the theme of being the underdog and counted out, into which the latest rumors neatly dovetail. Paterson anticipates facing state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in a democratic primary. The Governor declined to identify any suspects behind the damaging rumors, but did note it seemed quote somewhat orchestrated.

"I've never seen a situation such as Sunday night, where three separate sources contact media outlets simultaneously right at the beginning of the Super Bowl to say that the Governor was resigning," Paterson said.

A Cuomo spokesman declined to comment.

The Governor also criticized the New York Times for not stepping in and quieting allegations the reporting triggered. And later, a top aide released a letter to the newspaper's public editor insisting the paper failed to meet its obligation to .counter the false accusations.

A spokeswoman for the Times responded, "Obviously we are not responsible for what other news organizations are reporting. It's not coming from The Times."