Paterson 'Certain' to Pick Kennedy: Also-Rans

Admission is first that AG is even a candidate

(NEWSER) - Continuing his elusive dance around Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat, New York Gov. David Paterson said yesterday that state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo “is someone I’m considering,” the Buffalo News reports. Paterson also seemed unafraid of a possible Cuomo challenge in 2010 if he isn’t seated in the Senate. “He told me that he doesn’t want to run against me,” the governor said. More»

Cuomo brings fundraising advantage, but should Paterson pick a woman?

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton’s secretary of state nomination has left New York Democrats jockeying for her New York senate seat—and gives Gov. David Paterson a little personal political leverage. Though he hasn’t indicated whom he will appoint, the Washington Post lists some key factors and candidates:

• There is pressure to replace Clinton with a woman. Strong candidates include Rep. Carolyn Maloney, a Clinton-esque centrist, and Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, a more conservative “blue dog” from Albany.

And she didn't 'eliminate herself,' says Paterson, who avoids naming frontrunner

(NEWSER) - New York AG Andrew Cuomo, who couldn't be less interested in Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, nonetheless met with Gov. David Paterson about it last month, reports the New York Daily News. A Cuomo rep refused to comment, other than to call the information "factually inaccurate," and Paterson's office was mum. Meanwhile, Paterson said Caroline Kennedy didn't clinch the seat in her interview, but "didn't eliminate herself," either. 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»

Voters prefer AG by 3 points but predict Paterson won't pick him

(NEWSER) - New Yorkers would prefer that David Paterson pick Andrew Cuomo over Caroline Kennedy to fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat, a new poll shows. Cuomo leads Kennedy 26% to 23% in a Siena College survey of New York voters, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports. Despite the state AG’s lead, the two enjoy almost the same approval rating, at 58% for Kennedy and 59% for Cuomo. More»