19 January 2009

Maybe Caroline after all

Chris Cillizza is reporting in his political blog in The Washington Post that New York Governor David Paterson has, finally, decided to appoint Caroline Kennedy to take Hillary Clinton's seat in the Senate once she (presumably) is appointed Secretary of State:
The dean of the New York political press corps, New York Post columnist Fred Dicker, reports this morning that Governor David Paterson has settled on Caroline Kennedy as his pick to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton. Dicker draws his conclusion based on conversations between "several unhappy contenders" and their associates in recent days. He writes: "The contenders based their conclusion on the view that Paterson, after nearly two months of indecision, would 'greatly embarrass' and 'entirely humiliate' Kennedy, anger her prominent political family, and even offend President-elect Barack Obama by picking someone other than President John F. Kennedy's daughter."
After a bit of checking with several of the people who are allegedly under consideration, there is no sign that Paterson has been reaching out to anyone to inform them of his decision, if in fact he's made up his mind. Errol Cockfield, a spokesman for Paterson, said that "the governor said on 'Larry King' last night, and again on CNN this morning, that he hadn't made a decision." All of the potential contenders will get a chance to talk to Paterson face-to-face when New York Democrats gather for a party at the Smithsonian Castle on the Mall. Those in the know expect Paterson's decision any time now, especially since the seat will be formally vacated tomorrow afternoon when the full Senate is expected to confirm Clinton as Secretary of State.
It's hard to believe Paterson would make the announcement on the day Barack Obama is being sworn in as the 44th president, but he could well decide to do it early on Wednesday when much of official Washington is still digging out or waking up from the inauguration festivities. We continue to believe that Kennedy is the favorite for the appointment for one main reason: she is clearly the preferred choice of the incoming president. Kennedy emerged as a public figure during Obama's campaign and the two are friendly. No one else in the field can make that claim.
Could Paterson spurn the president and the first family in Democratic politics? Absolutely. Remember that Paterson's primary concern is getting elected to a full term in 2010 and, if he believes that state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo or Representatives Kirsten Gillibrand or Steve Israel, or even Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, make that more likely, he may well go against Kennedy. If, however, Paterson follows conventional wisdom and names Kennedy, expect Republicans to immediately start making the case against Kennedy (no experience, the return of dynastic politics) and promoting the potential candidacy of Representative Peter King. New York is a Democratic stronghold so in a traditional election the Democratic candidate, whoever he or she may be, should be favored.
Rico says 'no experience and the return of dynastic politics'? What the hell do they say of Hillary then?

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