WNYC, a public-radio station in New York, obtained a stack of e-mails sent and received by Johnson - who was charged last month with assault - and by other Paterson aides in February.
Breslin e-mailed Johnson twice in February with words of support. "As they told me after my first big story about me, 'Welcome to the BGleagues,' " the first e-mail from Breslin said.
Breslin was thrust into the spotlight after the 2002 campaign, when he was charged with heroin possession after his car jumped a curb in University City. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, entered rehab and was put on probation for one year.
Johnson replied to Breslin's e-mail with thanks, joking that he was "not as big as you but I am working my way there."
Breslin then e-mailed to say that his lobbying firm, Rittenhouse Consulting Group, might have some work for Johnson.
Breslin told PhillyClout this week that he felt terrible for Johnson and wanted to lift his spirits, though he ultimately did not offer him any work.
"It was more a gesture to let him know he still had friends," Breslin said. "When you're next to a governor or a future governor, you're a public figure whether you know it or not."
Breslin said that the sudden glare of scandal feels "like going to your own funeral." The bright side? You get to see who shows up.
"There was a lot of support for me," Breslin said. "I was lucky."
Corbett not so wacko?
Rendell, who made national news this week by claiming that the Republican Party is being taken over by its "wacko wing," yesterday gave a slide to state Attorney General Tom Corbett, the Republican nominee for governor.
