Caretakers Need Not Apply
NY Gov. David Paterson (D) isn't considering a caretaker candidate to fill Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D) Senate seat. Reports surfaced New Year's Day suggesting that Paterson would appoint a "big name," such as former Pres. Clinton, to fill the seat until an election could be held in '10. But speaking to reporters at the Executive Mansion in Albany 1/1, Paterson said picking a caretaker "would cause New York to lose seniority. And in the United States Senate, the most effective senators are the ones who have seniority. So I'm hoping the person I select wins the primary."
Paterson dodged questions about possibly picking Caroline Kennedy, whose candidacy is now receiving the backing of one of her loudest opponents. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D) told the New York Post 1/1 that he had changed his mind about Kennedy and thought it was a "good possibility" Paterson would pick her. "If she is the appointee of the governor, I will certainly be supportive of her. I will work for her and will work strenuously for her election," Silver said.
In his conversation with reporters, Paterson said "he had not spoken to Silver about the selection process." But the governor added that he was astonished by the "willingness of my colleagues" to share their opinions about Clinton's replacement, and underscored his point "with a story about an umpire famous for delaying his ball and strike calls."
"He said, 'It ain't nothing till I calls it,'" Paterson said. "And that's how I'm telling you. Pass that along to any of these excited people who think they're going to influence me."
Paterson's remarks came during the traditional New Year's Day open house the governor hosts at the Executive Mansion, which included 300 members of the public and several reporters.
Paterson "drew his biggest laughs" when he greeted a family from upstate Delmar, David and Jennifer Spore and their daughter, Caroline.
"Caroline is here, in case you all were wondering," Paterson said loudly. "She's 7 and she's ready to go to the Senate,"
"Maybe another Caroline," the girl's mother joked moments later.
(SEAN J. MILLER)