Reports: Caroline Drops Out

(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»

Gov. Paterson taps upstate centrist to take Clinton's seat

(NEWSER) - Albany-area Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand will be Hillary Clinton's replacement in the Senate, reports the New York Times. An aide to the Democrat confirmed that she has accepted the appointment and Gov. David Paterson is expected to make the announcement at noon today. Paterson made his choice before dawn after lengthy talks, a source told the Times. More»

The leaks continue o

(NEWSER) - So what’s the real reason behind Caroline Kennedy’s withdrawal? Depends on whom you ask. An aide to New York Gov. David Paterson says she had a tax problem and a possible nanny issue that emerged in vetting, the Times reports. But a Kennedy pal says she dropped because her husband “is controlling” and thought she’d wreck their marriage by moving to DC, the Daily News adds. More»

Suggestion hurts his legislative efforts: aides

(NEWSER) - Ted Kennedy and his aides are livid that his niece Caroline is citing his health problems among reasons for her withdrawing from consideration for Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat, Time reports. Associates say the Massachusetts senator is doing well and fully committed to his goal of passing universal health-care legislation—and Caroline’s move can only hurt that effort. More»

(NEWSER) - Caroline Kennedy says she doesn't want to be a senator just now. After hours of conflicting media reports, Kennedy released a statement after midnight saying she had called Gov. David Paterson and withdrawn her name from contention because of "personal reasons," the New York Times reports. A source tells the Times that her uncle Ted's seizure contributed to the decision. More»