N.Y. Governor Close on Clinton Successor
EmailABC News’ Katie Hinman reports: New York Gov. David Paterson said he’s close to making a decision about who to appoint to the Senate seat Hillary Clinton will leave vacant when she moves on to her new role as secretary of state.
The governor told ABC News’ "Nightline" he’s weighing the candidates and plans to name a replacement around the time Clinton receives her expected confirmation from the Senate.
Paterson didn’t say who those candidates might be, but speculation has centered on New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Caroline Kennedy, who is the daughter of President Kennedy, niece of the Senate’s liberal lion, Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and a close political ally of President-elect Obama.
Paterson said the outrage over Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s alleged plan to auction his state’s open Senate seat to the highest bidder is "a healthy reminder to those of us who have been placed in the position of making such a weighty choice."
"This duty is higher than even the normal constitutional duties of a governor," he said. "We’re being asked to do what the public would have done."
Paterson added that whomever he appoints, New Yorkers will "make a correction in two years by deciding who should really be the senator," when they vote on who should fill the seat in the 2010 election.
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Anyone else wondering how much Hillary’s seat will go for?
Posted by: magoo2u | December 13, 2008, 12:33 am 12:33 am
Ted Kennedy openly pursuing the seat for Caroline is adding insult to injury. 1st he abandons the Clintons who saved his fat _ss in ’94, when Romney almost took his seat. Then he wants to have his niece who endorsed Obama take her place. To think I used to admire him for his principles, if not his personal life. I was even a “Young Democrat” delegate for him in 1980. In case the alcohol has eaten away too much of your brain Ted, let me remind you…loyalty is the golden rule of Irish politics.
Posted by: Michael ONeal | December 13, 2008, 12:37 am 12:37 am
On the outset, one would think that Andrew Cuomo would be the one named to this Senate seat. Of course, that is because his father was the New York State Governor.
On the other hand, being considered is the daughter of one of the more reveered Presidents of our Country.
In either case, it would be a continuation of the Dynasty.
However, Caroline Kennedy is a completely unknown quantity!
We have no idea what positions she has on the fate of our great country. If not for the fact that she came out and supported Barak Obama, with support of her Uncle, Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, she has stated no other positions, political or otherwise.
What qualifications are required of a candidate for the Senate?
Which of the two are more qualified?
At least we have some idea of the qualifications and positions that Andrew Cuomo has posed.
Both are citizens of New York State, and of voting age. Thus, they are both qualified using the wording of the Constitution!
Beyond that, please consider, particularly in these troubled times, where the positions of either of these parties will affect the outcome of our great Country.
Could there be someone better that the Governor could appoint, having REAL qualifications, not a political connection, that would be much better suited to help lead our Country.
This is one of the most crucial periods of my lifetime (70 years). Governor Patterson’s choice should be based on what is good for this Country, and not political connections.
I thank you for this opportunity to express my opinion.
Posted by: DW | December 13, 2008, 12:48 am 12:48 am
xx
Posted by: Frank | December 13, 2008, 1:26 am 1:26 am
Nevermind qualifications we need a legacy candidate! That’s always good thinking (sarcasm)
Posted by: DemocratSheep | December 13, 2008, 1:36 am 1:36 am
Why would Caroline Kennedy even be considered??? This is NY not Illinois!!
Posted by: worried088 | December 13, 2008, 7:19 am 7:19 am
Flip a coin, either way you are going to get a liberal idiot. Paterson is right for a change. We will make a correction in 2010. It shouldn’t be too hard to do, once “Change We Need” shows itself to be “Same Ole S___”
Those with the “audacity of hope” will then go back to sleep and allow us to vote for someone with people’s best interests in mind,Instead of these self-promotional clowns
Posted by: Don | December 13, 2008, 7:33 am 7:33 am
If you beleive the rumors, then Caroline Kennedy is out. Which may be good for her political future if you look at what happened in Illinois with a Senate appointment…
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | December 13, 2008, 7:40 am 7:40 am
She is quite qualified and has good genes and ideas toward government. She is intelligent and N.Y. needs her. Margie
Posted by: MARJORIE | December 13, 2008, 8:08 am 8:08 am
We’ve seen how Cuomo has fought against AIG and banking companies giving their employees bonuses with American taxpayers money which helped bail them out of a financial fix. He’s strong and a fighter. He’s not afraid of challenges. He gives the impression that he’s about fairness in the corporate world and mainstreet. Caroline Kennedy seems like a very smart and sweet lady but we know little about her that would suit the national arena.
Posted by: Phallon | December 13, 2008, 8:10 am 8:10 am
We heard so much of “Change we can” during the election campaigne. What we have seen so far is the old politics. I am indeed surprised by the considereation of Carolin Kennedy for the senator position.
Posted by: shivaglal | December 13, 2008, 8:54 am 8:54 am
I wonder when this crown ends its cycle and open a door to new ideas and looks.
Posted by: Tila | December 13, 2008, 9:22 am 9:22 am
Soooo what kind of backroom “deals” is Patterson making with this appointment…… cause that IS the way it works….. you wash my back and I’ll wash yours………… just the fact he is even considering a “Kennedy” who has absolutely no relative experience shows just how tainted the whole process is… I find it amazing how people are so awed about a NAME…. how ignorant…
Posted by: Vet1973 | December 13, 2008, 9:46 am 9:46 am
Just wondering, has Hillary Clinton spoken with the Gov.? Has anyone on her staff spoken with him? Or, as with the PE has she just abandoned her state and moved on without giving a thought to the people of the state she was elected to represent? If you believe the PE, this is exactly what he did, so why would Mrs. Clinton act differently?
Just wondering!
Posted by: Michiel W | December 13, 2008, 11:57 am 11:57 am
having worked for Cuomo, let me say this: he’s a pompous jerk. He is a true legacy in that were it not the for the name, he’d be no where. He screwed up HUD if you really look into it. He was a total failure when he tried to run for governor in 2002, and only became AG when he beat the even more screwed up Jeanine Pirro. And, what he’s doing now is coatailing the NYS Insurance Superintendent Dinallo, who is the one who really uncovered AIG’s mess when he was with the Attorney General and otherwise mimicking what Spitzer started. He is an insider through and through.
And by the way, Caroline is an attorney, has done great work on education for NYC, has written 3 books on constitutional law. Senators do not have to have long political resumes, just brains, honesty and committment. She beats him in spades.
If Patterson picks him it’s just to avoid a primary fight in 2010 as that’s the job Cuomo really wants.
Posted by: gail | December 13, 2008, 9:44 pm 9:44 pm
Umm I am sure Hillary or her people have made it clear who they would like to replace her(and it’s not Caroline) but its up to Patterson and unlike the Illinois thugs I doubt she’s offering up money to get her appointment made.
Posted by: rachel | December 14, 2008, 2:43 am 2:43 am
Has anyone realized how handicapped the NY GOP is for statewide races? The closest they’ve come to winning a statewide race in the last four years was the 2006 comptroller race, against a Democrat that everyone knew was going to resign, assuming reelection, because of misappropriation of state monies. The 2010 special election for this Senate seat will make it six candidates they need for statewide offices. The state party just doesn’t have the talent depth necessary to be competitive.
What will likely happen will be Cuomo gets the appointment, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi gets appointed to the AG slot vacated by Cuomo, Schumer will run unopposed, with Congressman Peter King running against Cuomo, vacating a CD that no other GOP candidate can win in LI.
Kennedy as Senator would likely draw too much attention and money to the 2010 election, which would politically expose Paterson in his own election bid.
What’s funny/interesting is that Paterson would’ve been the no brainer for this Senate seat if Spitzer were still in office.
Posted by: Michael | December 15, 2008, 5:09 am 5:09 am
I for one was discusted when Caroline and her Uncle endorsed PE Obama.I attended the 1977 Clinton Inaugeration but I have no interest in attending this one. As far as I can see the “Change Team” is using Hillary’s message, plans even her people to get things right.That being said.Caroline Kennedy has as many qualifications as anyone else to the seat. She is an attorney and an author. She has worked for the NY School System. There has never been a hint of scandal about her, people who know her say she is honest, ethical, smart, kind and caring.Now I will admit we do not seem to have many Senators with those qualifications but maybe it’s something we should consider.
Posted by: Maryanne Bush | December 15, 2008, 7:38 am 7:38 am
I hope Caroline Kennedy would get the senator’s seat, then she will ready for the next election against Sarah Palin.
Posted by: deus899 | December 15, 2008, 7:40 am 7:40 am
Good Grief! I am from IL and am now reading reports that another Kennedy, Christopher, is interested in Obama’a Senate seat. He is running the Merchandise Mart which used to be owned by the Kennedys. Is getting appointed the only way these people can get a political office these days?
Posted by: Carol Ann | December 15, 2008, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm