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 ›

Caroline Kennedy may have been a hot mess with the press, but suddenly Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver, who questioned her abilities not that long ago, is singing her praises. more ›

Let's step away for a moment from NY State Senate replacement drama to observe the insanity in Illinois: Allegedly corrupt Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich will reportedly name a replacement to President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat. The Chicago Tribune points out this is in spite of Senate Democrats' warnings that they won't seat whomever he names. Blago's rumored pick is former Illinois AG former Roland Burris, 71, who "has said that Obama's replacement should be able to win re-election and he has noted that despite a string of primary losses in races ranging from Chicago mayor to governor and U.S. senator, he's never lost to a Republican." Blago has scheduled a news conference for 2 p.m. And, currently, the Blago impeachment panel is on holiday. more ›

Governor Paterson continued his vow of silence regarding who he'll appoint to take Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. In a statement, he said, "I expect to announce Senator Clinton’s replacement when the position becomes officially vacant.” In others, we've got about two more months of speculation (RFK Jr? Cuomo? Reps. Velazquez, Gillibrand, Israel, Higgins, Meeks, Lowey? Brown (Mayor of Buffalo)? ). Paterson also said of Secretary of State-designate Clinton, "She is the leader we need to partner with President-Elect Obama to confront the international challenges we face today. I can think of no one more qualified for the position at this critical moment in our history. New York will lose a powerful voice in the Senate. But the nation will gain a powerful voice in the world." more ›

While much of the attention is still focused on Hillary Clinton and the increasing possibility that she will become the next secretary of state, another local politician has entered the fold as a potential cabinet member in the upcoming Obama administration. Sources say Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. is being considered for secretary of housing and urban development. Carrion's name had also been one of many thrown around as a possible senate replacement if Clinton chooses to leave her seat. As of right now, his political horizon is focused on the race for City Controller, which he decided to run for before Mayor Bloomberg and the City Council extended the term limits law that would have forced him out as borough president next year. And when not focused on his political future, Carrion is taking some time to welcome in the latest celebrity baby named after his home borough. more ›

It seems like sources close to Governor Paterson are playing a game of "America's Next Top (Junior) Senator" the way they leak a new candidate to the media every couple of days. Today's contestant is the Charlie Rangel-supported Leecia Eve, an attorney who served as a policy adviser and worked on the presidential campaign for Senator Clinton. She also fits two of the demographics Paterson is said to be courting with the pick--an upstater (she's from Buffalo) and a woman (see photo). Now if only Eve found a long-lost Latino ancestor, she'd surely be a shoe-in. Eve was originally going to run for lieutenant governor in 2006 until Eliot Spitzer backed Paterson and prompted her to drop out of the race. Earlier this week, many of the other Top Senator contestants were together with Paterson in a closed-door meeting. more ›