Is this a hint? Paterson statement on Clinton replacement

[mod mom]

January 16, 2009
Categories: New York

Paterson will choose 'right after inauguration'
New York Governor David Paterson said this morning he would name a replacement for Hillary Clinton "right after the inuaguration," and hinted that he was still considering lower-profile prospects than Caroline Kennedy and Andrew Cuomo.

-snip
Paterson also dismissed polling suggesting that Caroline Kennedy is losing popular support.

"The polls go up and down," he said. "I think that's more name recognition."

-snip

"My job is not to pick hte person who is popular today," he said. "It's the person who is going to be popular in 2010, when they run for re-election."

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0109/Paterson_will_choose_right_after_inauguration.html

[Buzz Clik]

1. Christ. I'd hope he'd be thinking about the person best suited to represent the people of New York.

gawd.

[ddeclue]

2. BINGO... his job isn't to pick the person most likely to be re-elected

but rather the one who would best represent the interests of New York and her citizens in the Senate.

A Democrat would be re-elected in NY anyways.

[WePurrsevere]

5. I figure it this way... whomever is chosen

will BE "popular" if they represent the people of NY in way that we NYers feel we should be represented. If they don't.. they won't be "popular" and won't be re-elected.

Perhaps to Paterson it's basically the same thing. :)

[AllentownJake]

8. If they can't get elected they ain't worth shit

Everything in the Senate is based on seniority.

Correction for elected since this is an appointment.

[Pirate Smile]

3. That sounds good for Kennedy since her numbers have gone down.

[robcon]

4. Paterson is also up for election in 2010, so he's focused on who would help him most.

That would be Kennedy - with her money and access to money.

Since Schumer, Paterson and the appointed Senator would all run in 2010, it's important to Paterson to get a 'popular' senator or one with an ability to raise money.

[Me.]

6. So Now It's After The Inauguration

It used to be after Clinton resigned her senate seat. Now it's after the inauguration. This does not inspire confidence in his decision making ability or is he showboating here?

[polichick]

7. Good grief, just pick somebody already!

[AllentownJake]

10. There isn't a vacancy until Hillary is actually sworn in

He has till that time to make a pick.

Until Hillary formally resigns she is the Jr. Senator from NY, she isn't resigning until she takes the oath of office as sec of state.

What's the rush?

[polichick]

11. Just don't see why it's so difficult.

[AllentownJake]

12. I'd wait till after there was a vacancy

to make the pick too. If something unforseen happens and Hillary is not confirmed or is forced not to take the post than you have an awkward situation where someone has been appointed to a seat that is not vacant and isn't going to be vacant.

Barack and Joe were elected. Nothing can take the position away from them. Hillary has been appointed and therefore until she takes the oath of office the appointment can be withdrawn or refused or denied by the senate.

[polichick]

13. I guess there's a teeny tiny possibility that Hillary won't be confirmed...

...could be he's thinking of that.

[AllentownJake]

14. You never know

Bill had to go through 2 highly qualified AG picks before Janet Reno got the nod and whoever would have thought Richardson would withdrawal his name.

[Me.]

15. For One Thing

Obama could use as many dem senators as he can get. Hillary's confirmation is a sure bet. Making a pick now would allow the new senator time to get up to speed and once picked it's very possible they could be sworn in on the same day as Hillary.

[AllentownJake]

16. Bill Richardson (EOM)

[Me.]

19. I Seriously Doubt That

On the subject of Paterson's choice I just heard a report on MSNBC that said she's due to be sworn in on Tuesday. I'm surprised it would be on the same day as the inauguration but if true it says they don't anticipate any bumps in the road. The same report also said that Paterson is still trying to decide who/what would be the best help to getting him elected. CK with her money raising ability or would it help him more to get Cuomo out of town so he doesn't run against Paterson in 2010.

[AllentownJake]

21. Welcome to the wonderful world of Politics

:-) You have to consider your own re-election in decisions you make.

Seriously though if I was a govenor I wouldn't elevate anyone to a position till the position is formally open if there was a chance however so slight that the position might not be open.

[AtomicKitten]

9. tick tock tick tock n/t

[Bucky]

17. Several things could make Caroline Kennedy's name go down. But not name recognition

I still think she'd be a fantastic senator. But I'm not from New York, so that's about as useful as my views on housecleaning.

[saltpoint]

18. I like the way Paterson is conducting this process. I support the New York

State Bar in its initiative to make direct elections the primary mechanism for replacing public officials. I'll support and affirm any pick Paterson makes. I hope it is Caroline Kennedy.

[BeyondGeography]

20. I love that he says he's focusing on 2010

and I believe he means it.