If Clinton Wins in 2008, Who Will Get Her Senate Seat?

2007_09_cuomo.jpgWith Hillary Clinton focusing on her strong presidential campaign, NY State Democrats are wondering who will take over her place as the junior Senator from New York. Apparently Governor Spitzer may be open to putting Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on his shortlist.

The Sun explains that while Spitzer and Cuomo are not necessarily friendly (especially due to Troopergate), Spitzer might want Cuomo in another powerful political office so he can avoid facing off with him in the 2010 gubernatorial primary. Aw, the old "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" strategy!

However, there's a long list of people interested in being a Senator, including Representatives Nita Lowey, Jerrold Nadler, Carolyn Maloney and Gregory Meeks, plus Spitzer's lieutenant governor David Paterson. The Daily News reported that Nadler and Maloney have "personally lobbied for support for a Senate appointment" and that Spitzer may weigh loyalty to his administration during the Troopergate scandal heavily.

Lowey and Paterson, though, seem like strong contenders - Lowey has foreign policy experience, plus she was stopped her 2000 Senate ambitions when Clinton entered the picture; Paterson could break barriers at the first black Senator from NY. But there's no shortage of names: Apparently Robert Kennedy Jr.'s name is bandied about, too.

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Comments (6) [rss]

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cuomo is a scumbag

i say RKF jr

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Is that Cuomo or Unfrozen-Caveman Lawyer? I can't tell.

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I think a lot depends on when Clinton resigns. Does she do it before the 2008 election so NY would have an election in 2008 for a new senator or hold out so that Spitzer only appoints someone if she wins the presidency?

If she resigns early then Suozzi could easily run in a democratic primary against whomever Spitzer appoints to finish Hillary's term.

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cuomo's girl is so dope. chick on the food network. sandra or sara lee.

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Wasn't Andrew Cuomo married to RFK Jr.'s sister? Awkward.


And Clinton would never resign first. Dole did it 1996 and Edwards didn't run again in 2004 but that was probably because he would have lost his seat.

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Appointing RFK Jr. would do so much to electrify the democratic party in the NY and across the U.S. That would definitely be the best choice. I hope it happens even though it seems unlikely. To have RFK Jr, Obama, Clinton all in in Washington would definitely bring back a new sort of Camelot for the future.

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