Clinton's Senate Seat: Who Will Replace Her?

***Update 12/2, 12:10 AM***

The New York Times reports today that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called the governor to take his name out of the running for Clinton's senate seat.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer and son of the onetime senator from New York, said this morning that he had telephoned Gov. David A. Paterson and explained that he was not interested being appointed to the United States Senate.

Former President Bill Clinton has also said that he hasno interest in replacing Hillary in the U.S. Senate. His spokesman told CNN that any speculation that he would be interested is "completely false."

***

Now that Hillary Clinton has officially been chosen as President-elect Barack Obama's Secretary of State, the battle for her Senate seat can begin in earnest. However, Ben Smith reports that Clinton isn't vacating the post just yet:

"Senator Clinton intends to remain in office through confirmation," emails spokesman Philippe Reines.

UPDATE: Says New York Governor David Paterson in a statement: "In order to appoint the best possible candidate to replace Senator Clinton, I am consulting with a wide variety of individuals from all across New York State. I expect to announce Senator Clinton's replacement when the position becomes officially vacant."

Meanwhile, one of the top contenders has withdrawn herself from consideration.

Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester) -- considered to be a frontrunner to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate -- is withdrawing herself from consideration, her spokesman tells Politico.

The 11-term congresswoman, who stepped aside to allow Clinton to run in 2000, thinks she can "be more effective" in the House where she chairs the homeland subcommittee on the appropriations.

Several possible Lowey competitors told Politico they would have stepped aside if Lowey had pushed for the job. But in recent days, she had begun telling colleagues she had no interest in relinquishing her role as a "cardinal" -- one of the House's top appropriators.

Comments

[Chopin]

So many good logical reasons have been cited by readers here why Caroline Kennedy-Schlossberg would make an admirable senator. Let me add my intuitive feel for the rightness of this move.

Besides career and intellectual accomplishments, she's no stranger to tragedy and personal sacrifice at the highest level in her family, from an early age. Combine her inheritance of supreme intellect and purposeful sacrifice from her father and uncle in service to the nation when it was most trying and traumatic, with the natural grace and keen intellect of her mother Jacqueline, she is more well-equipped than most others to serve her state and the nation when the time is right. The time is now, and not of her choosing. If she had an oversized unbridled political ambition of a career politician, she would have run for office before now. If she wants to serve now, it's because when times are most difficult, the best leaders feel their calling.

If in the course of history, Caroline is confronted with another opportunity in 2016, 2020 or 2024 to serve at the highest level, that would be truly poetic justice that completes the circle of goodness and idealism started with JFK, RFK and MLK Jr. By that time, she would be grandmother to her family and nation, at the ripe old age of 58 to 66, with a wealth of incontestable experience. Hopefully the nation and the people would have matured well past this tragic era of immature cowboyism.

[Darlen]

She's one of the more intelligent, level-headed and authentic of all the Kennedys - and consistently so. With the best education, law background (can you say "legislative" body?) Record of public service, advocacy in education, author, responsible parenthood, judicious political consultant. I'm no fan of the usual "legacy" route to public office, but this is an exceptional candidate -- and not a carpetbagger, as we have had in recent times.

[UserLoser]

Leecia Eve

[RAVEN13]

Not resigning her seat is "smart-politics" by Sen. Clinton. No one should take anything for
granted. She's been a great senator for New York. I for one will miss her as my senator.
She's been dilligent on veteran's issue's and so much more. Our family supports her
and the work that she will do with the Obama Administation. We pray for their success in
these challenging times. As for who may fill her seat? Gov. Patterson is going about a
thoughtful, deliberate process. I trust that he will choose someone who will "work" as hard
as Sen. Clinton does for NY. Whose as intelligent and will apply themselves to the learning the issues
that are confronting us.
Apart from that January 20th, can't come too soon!

[nana4g]

I live in Texas but have always looked to Senators Clinton and Schumer for guidance and would call on them if I felt I needed extra help. New York has been so fortunate to have these two. I, too, pray for Hillary's success and the success of this Administration. Their work is cut out for them.

Thank you, New York, for Senator Hillary Clinton.

[CapricornDavo]

Caroline would be a great replacement!!!!!

[thebuddhacat]

I think Caroline Kennedy is as appropriate as anyone. As there is no electino for this post and the Governor decides of course he is going to pick someone of her stature - not Joe the Plumber. She would be great

[waitforme]

I think Caroline Kennedy would be fine. But Robert Kennedy, Jr. would be somewhat better, I think, as he has been an activist for people for a long time now. He has passion, and anger at injustice; we need more people in the senate like this.

[truthglow]

He said he didn't want it.

[LuckeyChance]

Caroline Kennedy is the best pick unless David Letterman is willing.

[Betsy3491]

Excuse me, but am I the only person on this board concerned that our democracy is devolving into a heriditary oligarchy? Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or Andrew Cuomo and now Caroline Kennedy--these are the names in consideration for this very powerful position. (And I won't even mention Jeb Bush for a possible Senate seat in Florida or Jesse Jackson Jr. for Obama's seat.)

Do we really think that the ability to govern is genetic? Whatever happened to the idea that public servants rise gradually by proving their merit? Yes, Caroline Kennedy is lovely and classy and very well connected-BUT WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING? What experience does she bring? I expect this kind of thinking from Republicans, who have nothing but the same tired names to recycle. But Democrats need to stand behind the idea of proven competency.

Ellen Jackson
www.ellenjackson.net

[livesimply]

Though I like Caroline, I find it a little disturbing too.

[BushequalsDeath]

Perhaps I'm naive but I am curious as to when the wealthy converted democracy to rule-of-law. I understand that 'money talks' and the rest of us walk but didn't we, the citizens of NYC, vote that a Mayor couldn't spend more than 2 terms in office? That was s overthrown my whom. Not the citizens.

And now Caroline Kennedy wants to be appointed. I know her father and uncle were assassinated. I know her brother died tragically and her mother died way too young. And I loved them all. I think Caroline Kennedy ,may make a great Senator but even her uncle Bobby and Senator Clinton (who was strongly criticized for running when NYC was not her orig. home) ran for the office. The idea that Caroline Kennedy, or anyone else who has not been elected, can simply be appointed is offensive to every democratic bone in my body.

If the Gov. were to appt. Rush Limbaugh or Al Sharpton the city would be up in arms (and I'd be the one carrying the arms) so why is someone, who has no personal background in politics (working for education or Obama or anyone else doesn't count) but whose last name is "Kennedy" allowed to be appointed?

Doesn't make sense to me. Unless, of course, the only people who count are the wealthy and the famous. Unfortunately, I think that is what is happening.

[sandpiper1]

Actually Caroline Kennedy has been very involved in the education system in NY so yes, she does have something to offer the state and position.

[Betsy3491]

Actually, I've been "very involved in the education system" in my state too. But that doesn't qualify me to be appointed Senator. I have nothing against Caroline Kennedy. I'm just disturbed by this whole trend. After all, that's how we got George W., isn't it?

[thebuddhacat]

she is as fine as anyone . She is an Ivy league graduate, attorney, and brilliant as well as a socially conscious humanitarian, Of course he will select someone of her stature. Would someone like Joe the Plumber be a better choice. I don't think so

[nana4g]

And then, of course, there is Chris Matthews, mulling over running for the US Senate from Pa because he, he, he, what? What does he bring to the table?

[JTCan]

Caroline Kennedy would be a fantastic choice...t­otal class. Perfect to set her up for 2016 to take over after Obama. She has everything it takes...an­d more.

[nana4g]

Are you serious about 2016?

[FACINGREALIT]

Hillary is not resigning 'just yet' so that she can continue to fundraise away her campaign debts.

[philosopherkingtomas]

Caroline is beautiful, classey, intelligent, good hearted the opposite of alaska's missing governor Palin !

Caroline --- the anti Palin !

[brassminnie]

Robert has chosen to use his name and fame to attract spotlights to what we're doing to ourselves and our world. He's right. Others can do a good job for New York in the senate, but only he can do what he's doing. I'm not from New York, but I'd like to see Caroline in the senate. New York needs a lot of things upgraded. All the social-composite elements strengthen her ability to get those needs heard by the rest of us. I know a mesa in New Mexico that could be producing wind power for New York, but it needs to get there when needed, cheaply. Tom Udall... Political families exist for the same reason legal and medical families do. Discussions at dinner table start training early and name recognition and a family history of service are reassuring, if it was good service. The service record is Ted Kennedy's.

[cjgnew]

HRC's move not to officially vacate her senate seat shows basic common sense. If for any reason her nomination is not confirmed, then she will be able to fall back on her senate seat as a platform for her next political move. The appointment of a replacement for Clinton's senate seat is Governor Paterson's prerogative. Should he decide to place Carroline Kennedy or any other qualified candidate to fill the seat in the interim, I'd have no problem with it. Governor Paterson seems to be going about this in a systematic and professional manner, so may the best person for this office get the job. I like Carroline Kennedy. She seems to be humble and down to earth, and she has the right connections. I can see the logic in her being groomed to carry the Kennedy name in the senate.

[Active]

ANTHONY WEINER!