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Meanwhile, one of the top contenders has withdrawn herself from consideration.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

[Florentine]

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

- if he doesn't get the EPA job

[Herekitty]

Robert Jr. has already said no...wants to spend more time with his family. I think he has six kids!

Caroline would be perfect!

[kyletertzag]

All the way with RFK!

[blueskybigstar]

Looks like Hillary is not too certain she will be confirmed.

[naschkatze]

That's just common sense smart. If, for some reason, she wasn't confirmed, she would be SOL.

[friscosf]

If Hillary resigned now, her replacement could be sworn in before the newly elected Senators

That would give the new New York Senator seniority, helping that Senator get better committee assignments

Better resign soon, Hillary
No way are you NOT a Shoo-in for confirmation

[Josselyn]

As a NYer [and one NOT from downstate], Robert F Kennedy, Jr....plea­se, please, please.

[bella]

Well, I'm not a New Yorker but I too, would love to see Robert Kennedy, Jr. in the senate.

[JTCan]

RFK is great but he said he doesn't want the seat....

[ema]

I second that!

[ohmercy]

YES!!!!
he and HRC are very good friends.

[dct1999]

No to Cuomo and RFKJr., and hellllll nooooo to Mark Green who ran the worst NYC mayoral campaign in recent memory.

I am sick and tired of people from the same families holding high level political positions.

[ohmercy]

well then get out and run yourself.

So what?

this is America and the last time I looked anyone can run for office. If people elect him or her they can serve no matter what their last name is.

There are families with a preponderance of Doctors or Lawyers- would you not go to a doctor just because others in the family were Doctors before he or she was?

[themoderateman]

Don't be a dopey tuna dct1999.

People with pedigress should be running this country.

The last thing we need are hillbillies like Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin running the show.

I suppose you would champion the left's version of Sarah Palin?

Ewww Gawwd.

[eeVas]

I am curious. Which congress approves the appointments? Do they have to wait until after Pres-Elect Obama is sworn in??

[JDJase]

considering only the PRESIDENT (and not the President-ELECT) can nominate people to cabinet posts, that means we have to wait...

[JDJase]

Unless BO can talk Bush into nominating everyone for him haha

[Nia1999]

Thank you Liberal Swede, Listen and Learn, and harriscrl3 for your answer.

Nia1999

[Pete Cenedella - Huffpost Blogger]

I'll be forwarding my resume to Gov. Patterson this week. I suggest everyone reading this does the same.

[BLinCincinnati]

"However, Ben Smith reports that Clinton isn't vacating the post just yet"

DUH. What a stupid story, like they are trying to stir up more drama as if it was some nefarious reason.

Simple advice for anyone: "If you do not have the new job yet... don't quit your current job."

This applies to Senators as well. Anyone foolish enough to quit their job without the new job being a done deal is setting themselves up for being out of a job completely.

[Grunty1]

So does this mean that Hillary sees a possibility that she won't pass the confirmation?

On a more joking note, does she get to vote for herself this way?

[darthdarcy]

Lowey already said she will not take the Senate seat and give up her position of important Congressional committees­..!

The word is Paterson is considering some real second rate candidates­...

RFK Jr. is not on his radar nor is Mark Green, or Maurice Hinchey who has great seniority over other Congress people he is planned to choose from...

[alienufo]

Hinchey is my congressman, and I love him. It would be great if he got the Senate seat but I doubt he will.

[glorialovelace]

Too bad Lowey withdrew. She'd have been a great Senator. She was slated to run years ago, but withdrew when Hillary sought the nomination.

[harriscrl3]

Smart move on her part especially with the constitututional thing.

Carol

[Bitsko]

According to opensecrets.org, Rep. Nita Lowey has a net worth from $15,326,725 to $64,179,668. This New Yorker says "no thanks." We already have too many rich folks in government.