Caretaker Senator? Bill Clinton, Mario Possible

'Forceful but elusive' candidate says recession has hurt her

(NEWSER) - Caroline Kennedy continued her media blitz today, asserting in a sit-down interview with the New York Times that she is the best candidate for the Senate and that she could use her celebrity to draw attention to state issues. She remained vague, however, on many specifics, including her personal finances. When asked to describe the moment she decided to seek the seat, she zinged, “Have you guys ever thought about writing for, like, a woman’s magazine or something? I thought you were the crack political team.” More»

Gov. Paterson put off by inevitability talk, her Bloomberg ties

(NEWSER) - Many New York Democrats are getting increasingly annoyed with Caroline Kennedy’s push to be senator—most notably Gov. David Paterson, the man who’d have to give her the job, the New York Times reports. Paterson advisers say he’s frustrated Kennedy’s handlers are treating the appointment as a foregone conclusion, while other top Democrats grouse she’s too connected to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. More»

Kennedy ally slams scrutiny, says process 'out of control'

(NEWSER) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pushing Gov. David Paterson to speed up his Senate appointment, the Daily News reports. “The governor should make a decision reasonably quickly because this is just getting out of control,” said the ally of Caroline Kennedy. “Everybody’s focusing on the wrong things.” Paterson says he plans to wait until Hillary Clinton is confirmed as secretary of State. More»

But White House is backing Kirsten Gillibrand

(NEWSER) - Harold Ford Jr. is running for Senate in New York, he sort of announced today—but it's without support from the White House. In a column in today’s New York Post titled “Ford: I’m Gearing up for Senate Race,” Ford says he’s “strongly considering,” such a run, before going on to outline the reasons New Yorkers should vote for him. "Some have already questioned whether I should be running," he writes. "Others are falsifying my record in public life. New York deserves a free election." More»

(NEWSER) - David Paterson named Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand as Hillary Clinton’s replacement today, vaulting the little-known Democrat onto the national stage and into a post once thought reserved for Caroline Kennedy, the Times Union reports. “I believe I have found the best candidate,” said Paterson, insisting that the Albany-area congresswoman's gender and geography—she’ll be the first senator from upstate New York in 38 years—played no role in the choice. More»