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."

Email This Entry


Comments (11) [rss]

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.

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..

Get on Ya Paterson

Dont believe the hype


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.

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

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.

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

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.

Al Sharpton, ever the diplomat.

Post a comment (Comment Policy)

Tips

Get your daily dose of New York first thing in the morning from our weekday newsletter, now in beta.

About Gothamist

Gothamist is a website about New York. More

Editor: Jen Chung
Publisher: Jake Dobkin

Newsmap

newsmap.jpg

Contribute

Latest Tip:

years of isiah thomas stories in chant form http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/2009/11/14/20
[more]

Latest Photo:

Subscribe

Use an RSS reader to stay up to date with the latest news and posts from Gothamist.

All Our RSS