Democratic candidate for governor Andrew Cuomo took a shot at Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino at a meeting Monday with African-American leaders, calling Paladino an extremist who is out of touch with New Yorkers.

Cuomo also stood by as some of those at the meeting called the GOP candidate a racist, or at least someone who has embraced racism – referring to racially-charged e-mails that Paladino forwarded to his friends.

"That guy from upstate that is living off of the state, and has nerve to insult our community, the president of the United States," said Hazel Dukes of the NAACP. "Yes, I'm calling it racism. And I've been fighting racism for over 40 years. And as my last breath in my body, we will not have him as governor as the state of New York."

"He has extreme political views," said Cuomo. "I believe Mr. Paladino's position of saying the best form of government is a benevolent dictator, I believe that is an extremist position."

Prior to the leaders meeting, the gubernatorial candidate and current attorney general planned to shake hands of prospective voters at a nearby subway station, but was met by vocal protesters with the Freedom Party, which is supporting Brooklyn City Councilman Charles Barron for governor.

One party member says he disagrees with the idea that a vote for Barron would take votes away from Cuomo and help Republican Carl Paladino instead.

"There was a time just a little over a year ago, that someone said someone from Chicago could never make it anywhere, and will the split the votes. That always becomes an issue; it's not an issue for us," said Omowale Clay of the Freedom Party. "Our issue is not Paladino or Cuomo. Our issue is that we have an agenda, we have a party, we're on the ballot, and we're giving people an opportunity."

Cuomo abandoned the subway station greeting and went right to the leaders meeting.

Among those whom Cuomo embraced Monday was Congressman Charles Rangel, who is currently under an ethics investigation.

The Paladino camp wasted little time using the appearance to tie Cuomo to the notion he represented more of the same.

In a statement, Paladino's campaign manager said, "Charlie Rangel criticizing Carl Paladino? Hahahaha. Now that is rich. Who cares what Andrew Cuomo's surrogates say about Carl? These are just more popinjays from the entitlement class who see their whole world coming apart."

Meanwhile, Paladino is also accusing Cuomo of taking a payoff from business developer and longtime friend Andrew Farkas.

In a new campaign advertisement, the Paladino campaign questions his Democratic opponent's integrity and ethics – calling him unfit for the governor's office.

At issue is Cuomo's 1997 approval of an out-of-court settlement with Farkas' company during Cuomo's time as secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Previously HUD had accused the company of taking more than $7 million in kickbacks.

The Cuomo campaign rejected the notion of any payoffs, saying Farkas settled with the Department of Justice and not HUD.