With the surprise news that Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn her bid to be appointed to the now-vacant New York Senate seat, the field is suddenly wide open. Here’s a weird line from the NYT story: “Ms. Kennedy believed that the job was hers if she would accept it, the person (who was told of her decision) said.” Is this “person” just making that up? Or was Caroline Kennedy really convinced that the job was hers if she wanted it, despite the many contrary public indications? Interestingly, the NY Post reports (HT: PP) that Kennedy withdrew “after learning that Gov. David Paterson wasn’t going to choose her.” Choose your version of reality.
In any event, Gov. Paterson is expected to name his choice on Saturday (oddly enough). Who’s your best guess? Me, I think it’s either Kirsten Gillibrand or Carolyn Maloney (if pressed, I pick Maloney). And I think it would’ve been, even if Kennedy had stayed in.
And in other news, the Chief Justice re-administered the oath of office to President Obama, this time without booting the words. Just in case.
Discuss
15 Comments . Leave a comment below.It's called a sense of entitlement.
As it should be.
How about Atty. Sean Patrick Maloney? He recently left a high-level position in the governor's administration to pursue opportunities in the private sector in Chicago.
He ran in the Democratic primary for Attorney General in 2006, but he got beat by Cuomo, I think.
He also served as Clinton's White House Staff Secretary and was the highest-ranking openly gay man to ever serve on the White House staff.
Probably a long shot...
It seems he was the other top choice. He's current AG and maybe won't primary Paterson if he's in the Senate.
The hints that are being dropped lately seem to favor Cuomo. On the other hand, those might be hints dropped by Cuomo's supporters. I agree with the logic that they need someone who can win a statewide election, and Cuomo has shown that ability, even if he was doing some coasting on Spitzer's coattails.
haha ha.. ha
Eek.
The groundwork for this was laid years ago. It was just a question of finding the right high-price escort to make it work.
If we arranged government based on merit and not the sexual peccadilloes of Democrats. (Diaper fetishes are no problem as long as you're Republican).
Was there a threat of impeachment or much moral outrage from anyone else besides himself? I can't remember.
I remember you agreeing last time I said Spitzer, too, that he'd be the best choice. I think Patterson owes him a favor and its one of the few advantages of governor-appointments that the Gov can appoint people that the media and electorate and even the candidate would not, like Spitzer.
Gillibrand is great -- my parents live in her district and I grew up around there when the loathsome Gerry Solomon had the seat.
I don't trust that district to elect another Democrat to replace her, particularly in a special election.
Latest news reports say Patterson is now leaning Gillibrand. No source cited, of course. Official announcement will be a noon tomorrow (Friday).
My folks are also from that district, and I share your concern about getting another Democrat in that seat.
Heard through two separate people with connections to Albany that Gov. Paterson has indeed chosen Gillibrand.
The progressive in me is disappointed, but the upstate New Yorker in me is a fan.
The only hope for that district is to crack it up on redistricting for 2012, though, I think.
I was pulling for an upstate New Yorker, considering the state already has one U.S. Senator from New York City. She is also a proven campaigner and fundraiser:
http://blogs.timesunion.com/ca...
I'd put my money on Maloney. It was also reported that Kennedy was being railroaded by possibly the Cuomo camp. That allegations about a nanny and taxes would be a problem for Kennedy. Which apparently was untrue. But Kennedy was so upset that New York polls would denegrate her, she made a personal decision to back off. Uncle Teddy was unaware at the time of the goings on, but you wait...there will be reverberations across the New York Democratic party once the "Lion" of the Senate roars.
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