Paterson: Kennedy Is Not a "Front-Runner" For Senate

Between now and late January, you can bet that Governor Paterson will be harassed by the curious public—and the media, of course—about who he will choose to take Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. But don't tell him that Caroline Kennedy is a front-runner!

At LaGuardia Airport, where reporters met him on his return from a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, a reporter referred to Kennedy as a "front-runner," to which Paterson said, "How is she a front-runner?" Good question, since he's reportedly annoyed at Kennedy's supporters who have implied her ascension is a "done deal." The Daily News reports that Paterson added that chatter about Kennedy's chances was "sounding more like the prelude to a high school prom than the choosing of the United States senator."

And today, at the Reverend Al Sharpton's House of Justice, Paterson continued to criticize the speculation, "Many of those who are calling for a quicker decision would probably help the decision if they would refrain from all the gossip and, I think, the atmosphere that has been created." And Sharpton, a Kennedy booster, said, "The governor should not be coerced or intimidated or timetabled by anybody. It's his decision to make... I don't know why others would interfere with his unless they have an ulterior motive."

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By Jen Chung in News on December 25, 2008 6:07 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Al Sharpton, ever the diplomat.

Felix Hoenikker

Give the seat to Spitzer! ROFL

JenChungsBaby

I wish people would stop saying that he's unelected. A vote for Spitzer was a vote for Paterson to take Spitzer's place if something happened to him.

ides_of_march

Something about an unelected governor appointing an unelected senator that simply doesn't sit well with my preference for representative government.

Felix Hoenikker

I ran this quote through babelfish

"How is she a front-runner?"

And got this:

"I’ve got this thing and it’s fucking golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for fuckin’ nothing.

zodak

caroline kennedy can't see the writing on the wall but paterson can.

JenChungsBaby

Boy, Kennedy really fucked this one up. The governer basically gave her a chance to take the job and she blew it. Not someone we should want representing us in the senate.

spiritross

Get on Ya Paterson

Dont believe the hype

Mr Mel

↑You're on Steven

Steven

If I had to place a bet I would say 9/10 Paterson will choose Kennedy. Let's see if I'm right or dead wrong..

Kojak

We already have one IF he doesn't cave to the Kennedy fanatics.

Paterson is one of the most pragmatic politicians in any office that I've seen in a long time. I'd rather have the decision fall on him than anyone else.