The hits keep coming towards Governor David Paterson, for how he handled appointing a replacement to Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. Specifically, how his aides spun the crumbling of Caroline Kennedy's Senate bid fast and furious through quotes to the press. more ›

Governor Paterson introduced his long-awaited pick to fill Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, upstate Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand. Politicker NY reports Gillibrand said, "I realize that for many New Yorkers, this is the first time you've heard my name and you don't know much about me. But I assure you that over the next few years, you will get to know me, and I will get to know you." more ›

While Governor Paterson won't say a word about who the next junior Senator from New York is until a press conference at noon, various aides—to him, to other well-placed Democrats—have leaked news that he will pick upstate Representative Kirsten Gillibrand. Gillibrand's NRA membership (she comes from a family of hunters!) and opposition to limiting sales of semi-automatic weapons (and cop-killing bullets) has concerned more liberal Democrats. Still, the NY Times say she is "known for bold political moves and centrist policy positions" while the Post's Jacob Gershman is aghast at the process, "As the ashes of Caroline Kennedy's brief foray into politics are shoveled away, New Yorkers are left with a sad irony: Battling corruption charges and staring down certain impeachment, Gov. Rod Blagojevich did a better job of picking a US senator than did David Paterson.... Blago may be headed to prison, but in executing the same responsibility that rests on Paterson, the Illinois governor was confident, shrewd, and decisive - the very qualities absent from our governor." more ›

Caroline Kennedy's sudden, apparently last-minute decision to abandon her Senate bid is the talk of the Empire State, you know? After varying reports about why she was ditching the chance to be junior Senator—her uncle's failing health, learning that Governor David Paterson wasn't going to choose her— plus one on saying she dropping out, Kennedy did nothing to clear things by only saying in a statement, "I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate." more ›

Whoa: The NY Times, Post, and Daily News are reporting the same thing—that Caroline Kennedy has ended her six-week quest to take the junior Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton. (However, a source tells the AP that's not true—see the 11:24 p.m. update below.) more ›

He may have dubbed Flight 1549 the "Miracle on the Hudson" but the real miracle would be for Governor Paterson to just tell us his Senate pick now and put us out of our guessing misery. According to the NY Times, Paterson says he'll make his choice by Saturday. more ›

While the weekend brought stories of Governor Paterson perhaps changing his mind about who will replace Hillary Clinton as the junior Senator from New York—a Daily News source said, "He was leaning toward one person, but he has shifted to another"—the Post suggests the decision is a done deal... and that Caroline Kennedy will be the victor. more ›

New York is still in waiting game-mode: Governor Paterson, on WFAN's "Boomer and Carton Show," said that he was thinking about announcing a Senate pick this weekend, "but I just kind of decided I didn't want to trample on Senator Clinton's ability to come back and say farewell to her constituents nor ... the inauguration." Politico's Ben Smith feels Paterson is hinting that he may choose someone a little more unexpected, since he said, "There are some great candidates who have distinguished themselves but aren't so well known." Paterson also added, "My job is not to pick the person who is popular today. It's the person who is going to be popular in 2010, when they run for re-election." Wait, Paterson can see into the future? more ›

Yesterday afternoon,Caroline Kennedy met with Governor David Paterson to discuss the Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton. The Daily News reports, "Until Saturday, Kennedy had only spoken by phone to Paterson," but no details about their conversation were released. A Paterson spokeswoman said, "The details of those discussions will remain private." more ›

Governor Paterson tried his best to tamp down speculation that political dynasty scion Caroline Kennedy is a sure thing to take Hillary Clinton's Senate seat by telling WOR 71 radio that "she has pluses and minuses." Paterson said, "Caroline Kennedy obviously does have a tremendous relationship with the president, and that certainly is a plus. She does not have much legislative experience, which is a minus." more ›

You know, if you want to be Senator, you've gotta, you know, answer up! Governor Paterson sent an extensive, 28-page questionnaire to at least least six contenders for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. The NY Times reports it asks for "details about their finances, job history and any criminal record" and that "Representatives Steve Israel, Carolyn B. Maloney, Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Jerrold L. Nadler, as well as Thomas R. Suozzi," the Nassau County executive, received the packet, as did Caroline Kennedy. (We're assuming that Andrew Cuomo has already disclosed details as state Attorney General.) The Post adds that the questionnaire also asks about medical information and credit history! Paterson's spokeswoman said the information "would not be subject to Freedom of Information of laws because they contained private personal information." And Kennedy's spokesman repeated that she would submit to financial disclosures, though she's been tight-lipped so far. more ›

Another day of Caroline Kennedy/Senate talk! The NY Times has a revelation: Most other city employees—even ones with "nominal" salaries like Mayor Bloomberg and former Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff— must provide financial disclosures, yet Kennedy never did when she worked for the Department of Education. more ›

Governor David Paterson and wife Michelle Paige Paterson opened the doors of the Governor's Mansion to the public—and the press—yesterday. Politcker NY found the governor "seems to have gotten so frustrated with everything U.S. Senate related that he would rather see a special election to fill the seat." Paterson emphasized he hasn't made a choice yet—but when he does, it's his decision (so stop trying to influence him, various operatives!). Quoting a famous saying from baseball umpire Bill Klein, the governor said, "'It ain't nothing till I calls it'... Pass that along to any of these excited people who think they can influence me." more ›

A day after speaking with the Associated Press and NY1, Senate hopeful Caroline Kennedy spoke to the NY Times, Daily News and Post. P.S.--all chats occurred at an Upper East Side diner, so there's that "common" touch. more ›

Caroline Kennedy, whose Senate aspirations have only allowed for controlled moments with the press and submitting written answers to media outlets' questions so far, has submitting to actual interviews. First, an interview with the Associated Press was published, just after she spoke to reporter Larry Neumeister at Tribeca diner Gee Whiz (she ordered a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich). more ›

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! more ›

Of all the people for Caroline Kennedy's people to piss off, probably pissing off Governor Paterson, who makes the final call on who gets Hillary Clinton's soon-to-be vacated Senate seat, is a bad idea. Yet the NY Times reports that he's not very happy:

The governor is frustrated and chagrined, the advisers said, because he believes that he extended Ms. Kennedy the chance to demonstrate her qualifications but that her operatives have exploited the opportunity to convey a sense that she is all but appointed already. He views this as an attempt to box him in, the advisers said. more ›

The Times reports that Caroline Kennedy, a hopeful replacement for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, "is declining to provide a variety of basic data, including companies she has a stake in and whether she has ever been charged with a crime." The paper points out that if she were applying for a job in the Obama administration, she'd have to "fill out a 63-item confidential questionnaire." Or if she were running for actual election, she would "have to file a 10-part, publicly available report disclosing her financial assets, credit card debts, mortgages, book deals and the sources of any payments greater than $5,000 in the last three years." more ›

Caroline Kennedy, who declined to comment on whether she supported her pal Mayor Bloomberg's bid for a third term as mayor over the weekend, now says, via a spokesperson, she "fully intends to support the Democratic nominee." And that probably means she intends to vote in the 2009 election and probably primary, unlike previous years! Bloomberg probably understands and also commented that criticism of Kennedy is out of control. So out of control that the NY Times posted a fake letter from the Mayor of Paris, allegedly saying Kennedy was not qualified to be Senator (was the letter a way to combat the Times' gushing?). more ›

Sure, Caroline Kennedy may have answered (well, in a written format) some questions about her positions, but that hasn't stopped the naysayers from naying. more ›

Governor David Paterson headed to Iraq for a surprise visit to deliver gifts and say thank you to the troops. The Daily News reports, "Paterson, joined by Reps. Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn,Queens) and Steve Israel (D-L.I.), arrived in Iraq with Yankees andMets baseball caps for the soldiers." more ›

Caroline Kennedy, currently angling for Hillary Clinton's soon-to-be vacated Senate seat, has answered questions from Politico, the New York Times and the Buffalo News about her political views. Kennedy expressed her support for gay marriage, the Roe Vs. Wade ruling ("which prohibits third-trimester abortions except when the life or health of the mother is at risk") and allowing undocumented workers to legalize their status in the U.S. She also voiced opposition to the Iraq War (and support of President-elect Obama's plans to withdraw from the region) and noted that Nafta "had unintended, negative consequences in some regions of New York." more ›

Andrew Cuomo is apparently livid at watching his chances to become a US senator usurped by the star power of Caroline Kennedy. A source told the NY Times, “It’s driving him crazy. He’s boxed in. He can’t do anything except fume, and he is fuming.” more ›

Know what NY tabloids love even more than a Kennedy being interested in the Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton? That Kennedy's voting records! Both the Daily News and NY Post review her voting records and find a spotty showing. Baruch College's Douglas Muzzio sums it up, "It doesn't speak to a deep-felt commitment to the electoral process." more ›

Caroline Kennedy had lunch at Sylvia's with the Reverend Al Sharpton today and told reporters, "I feel like I'm a Kennedy Democrat, a Clinton Democrat, [Sen. Charles] Schumer, Barack Obama -- these are all leaders whose values I share and I feel like those are the kinds of values that I would bring." more ›

Now that Caroline Kennedy, scion of a political dynasty, has officially decided she wants to take Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, lawmakers and the public alike are awaiting to know more about her. Sure, she wants to be the junior Senator from New Yorker, but Kennedy has yet to make any public announcements—so far, Governor Paterson has been the one to tell the media, "She told me she was interested in the position." more ›

Governor David Paterson confirmed that Caroline Kennedy called him to discuss Hillary Clinton's soon-to-be vacated Senate seat. He said, "She told me she was interested in the position... She’d like at some point to sit down and tell me what she thinks her qualifications are.” While Paterson has said he will not decide on an appointee until next year, one Democratic source tells the Daily News, "She is in. I don't see how he [Paterson] says no. He has to do it." more ›

According to the NY Times, former First Daughter Caroline Kennedy is going after Hillary Clinton's Senate seat for reals: "Ms. Kennedy will ask that Gov. David A. Paterson consider her for the appointment." This comes after Kennedy simply discussed the possibility with Paterson earlier this month. Kennedy has been stepping up her campaign, what with calls to State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (who is "cool" to the idea). However, some NY State Democrats aren't sure about Kennedy, citing her lack of experience in public office; on the other hand, some think her connection to President-elect Obama could be helpful to the state. more ›

Of course: There's some backlash to the Caroline Kennedy-for-Senate backlash! Democratic strategist Joseph Mercurio tells the Daily News the Kennedy backlash has "been a little vicious. It's a little over the top," while an "influential" yet anonymous Democrat points out, "How many freshman senators at the bottom of the seniority list can pick up the phone and get the President?" (Kennedy was a big Obama supporter.) Earlier this week, Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus wrote about the Kennedy legacy and suggests, "A fitting coda to this modern fairy tale to have the little princess grow up to be a senator," but political consultant Hank Sheinkopf put it bluntly to Newsday: "Camelot, schmamelot. This is not a business for nice people -- this is a business for warriors." At any rate, Governor Paterson is reportedly close to making a decision about the Senate seat—but he won't announce it till Hillary Clinton vacates the seat. more ›

Here comes more criticism of Caroline Kennedy's interest in Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. Following on the heels of Rep. Gary Ackerman's J.Lo comment, retail union head (and former DNC chief house counsel) Stuart Applebaum tells the Post, "Caroline Kennedy, although I'm sure a fascinating and engaging person, simply doesn't have the experience or Washington know-how to get it done for New York." Applebaum is also a friend of Clinton, and Politico reports that Kennedy's support of Obama may be seen as a betrayal to Clinton supporters. Representative Anthoy Weiner, another friend of Hillary, said, "This isn't a jihad or anything, but I'd be lying to you if I said that supporters of Hillary don't remember where she was in the primary." As for who Governor Paterson may choose to succeed HRC, a source close to him said, "There is no frontrunner - period." more ›