NY Senate Tea Leaves: Paterson And Possible Clinton Replacement Return From Iraq

Gov. David Paterson, the keyholder to the coveted Senate seat in New York, returned on Christmas Eve from a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan with a potential filler of that vacancy.

Rep. Steve Israel accompanied Paterson and fellow Rep. Anthony Weiner at a press conference in the halls of LaGuardia Airport on Wednesday. The topic was the trio's trip to the two war zones -- an educational and important venture, Paterson said, that was appropriate for the holiday season.

But Israel's three-day long private audience with the governor has spurred speculation that he could eventually be asked to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate. As has news that the Long Island congressman hired a former Clinton aide to assist him in winning Paterson's support.

The Senate vacancy was addressed during the question and answer session in the airport terminal, much to Paterson's chagrin. The Governor insisted that he and Israel did not talk about the seat while on the trip.

"Congressman Israel and I wanted to make sure that nobody was upset about the amount of time we were spending over the last three days," he said.

And all three New York pols demonstrated a hybrid of exasperation and cynicism to the press' infatuation with the open seat. When a reporter referred to Caroline Kennedy as the "front-runner," the Governor interjected: "How is she a front-runner?"

Later he would say of the build up to his selection: it is "more like the prelude to a high school prom than the choosing of the United States Senate."

And yet, as much as Paterson and Israel downplayed the significance of them traveling together, there were noteworthy bits to grab from their post-trip news conference. Israel talked about how "profound it was to have the governor of the state of New York" alongside him for what was his six trip to Iraq. And the compliments did not end there:

"This is the first governor of New York since 9/11 to travel to the military theater, to visit with his troops, members of the NY National Guard," he said. "And that's something that was certainly very special to them and special to me."

This, of course, is a limited reading of a media availability largely devoted to recounting a trip to two dangerous war zones. All three lauded the work of New York's 10,000 or so troops overseas. Israel, meanwhile, told an amusing and poignant story about a Jewish soldier in Kabul celebrating Chanukah by himself - "one of the loneliest Chanukahs that anyone can imagine."

But when it comes to the process of choosing a Senate replacement, tea leaves are never left unread. And at one point in the Q&A, Patterson said of the possible Senate replacement: "I think Steve Israel is highly qualified."

Comments

[JoeDoorman]

Steve Israel's district was once one of the most conservative districts on Long Island. In 2002, however, the district was gerrymandered to Israel's advantage, removing much of the heavily middle-class, Republican South Shore neighborhoods and incorporating some of the more liberal and heavily Jewish areas on Long Island's affluent North Shore into the district.

[meko]

That's a long way to go to avoid the Caroline Kennedy PR machine.

[me again]

A waste of taxpayer dollars. Considering Paterson is about to tax the hell out of us, he should clamp down on his travel....­..I don't want to pay for it.

[Demoid]

Kennedy's opponents have one thing in common: they all backed Clinton. They're scared of her because she'll have more access to Obama then they ever could.

[Emlyn]

I am not against the State of New York or the City of New York, but why did the Governor go to Irag? I just can't see him or any other governor going to a war zone? I suppose anyone who has State Department approval can go but it just seems so strange.

[spiderbucket]

They ALL need to start justifying what they spend money on. There is no good reason for him (and many others) to have gone. It's just another junket on the tax payer's dime.

[me again]

Nothing for Paterson to see.......­.........

[sherrzinpa]

Unfunny.

[meanguy]

well, that's what "me_again" gets for expecting the left to have a sense of humor...

[MyFatCat]

He's blind, not blinkered.

Also, blind doesn't mean dead, or incapable of appreciating a change of environment.

[vegasobserver]

What a travesty.

Let's not forget that Paterson himself was not elected, so how would his choice represent the direct or indirect "will of the people", anyway?

It would be better to just hold a special election, which I'm sure Kennedy would easily win.

[bubbuh]

He was elected Lt. Governor. Part of the reason to be for a Looie is replacement of the Gov when he goes down.

[meanguy]

with all due resopect to the office, the previous governor didn't 'go down'...i believe it was the other way 'round???

[Fernando]

Well, it's New York state law, not something they pulled out of a hat. And as Lt. Governor Patterson was elected, not appointed. I'm glad to see he is not gaga like the press with their infatuation over CK.

[the steamer]

I agree. I can't accept that our Senate is some kind of reality show instead of our highest level of legislative government.

[Sylmason]

At least Caroline is not a crooked politician. I do understand why she didn't vote. Who the hell was it to vote for really? When you become fed up with this crap and the crappy crooks, who really wants to vote? Caroline has experienced more grief that many, and I do believe the death of her brother really took her back a step or two. But now, thanks to Obama she's found her way and is coming out swinging. Good for her. Hopr Patterson does the right and best thig by giving NY an honest Senator for once.

[RIP2]

Amen to that ! Caroline is a "thinker' and after all that she has gone through in her life , to see and hear her stepping out into the world of community service through politics is certainly rewarding to me. Because "politics is in her DNA, she'd be an asset to the state of New York.
I don't know what Patterson's agenda for the future is but, if he wants to WIN in 2010, he'd do well to have Caroline Kennedy running With him. Those other names will not give him a win because Caroline will run in 2010 whether she is appointed or not ( I believe). She said that she has now been inspired. Obama was an inspired candidate too, no one thought he'd win. That is History. Patterson is blind but that does not mean that he cannot be pragmatic and think" Or does it ?

[meko]

Why do you assume that Andrew Cuomo, Byron Brown, Carolyn Maloney, Elizabeth Holtzman, Thomas Suozzi, Nydia Velazquez, and Kirsten Gillibrand are less honest than Caroline Kennedy? They've been under public scrutiny in their roles as elected representatives - far more than the extremely private CK. I am not aware of any major scandals.

It's easy to tar all politicians with the same brush, but Blagojevich got elected as a reformer too - using his inexperience as proof of how untainted he was. Inexperience isn't proof of virtue. I'm more impressed with someone who's passed a test than with someone who's never been tested.

[navalvet]

Caroline Kennedy is seeking the office in the media, which is incredibly fond of her and her name. Would PE Obama give less respect to a Democratic senator from New York who is not named Kennedy? Gov. Paterson is refusing to play the media's game as he has his own interests in who fills the seat and runs in 2010 when he may run for election.
Yes, a county executive ,of a county with a million residents, and a congressman have sufficient credentials to be in the Senate and each can tap into a lot of organizational support in 2010. My money is on neither Nadler or Israel but either Cuomo or Suozzi makes sense for Gov. Paterson.

[StillIRise]

"Would PE Obama give less respect to a Democratic senator from New York who is not named Kennedy?"

What does PE Obama have to do with this? This is Senator Clinton's seat. SHE may be engaged in these conversations, but there is no indication, not even in the article, that PE Obama has ANY involvement in this decision.

[jeffp26]

David Peterson is our governor. He is blind. So why did the taxpayers of NY state pay for him to go to Iraq?

What did he see there??????

[navalvet]

That remark is in incredibly bad taste.

[robXdion]

But it's honest.

[McChimp]

The whole backlash against Caroline Kennedy is silly and undeserved.

People are saying that SARAH PALIN is more qualified than Caroline Kennedy, must be the same people that said that Palin was more qualified than Obama because she holds executive experience.

Caroline Kennedy stayed out of politics for a long time and has been a private citizen, should experience matter? Look at all the experience in the Senate now, both on the Democrat and Republican side: corrupt and gaming the system, putting themselves first before their constituents. Caroline is not like that at all: she endorsed Obama early on, and worked hard for him to vet his running mates, and we got Joe Biden, which shows she has the right judgment. If Obama trusted her for his vetting team, then why shouldn't she be appointed? Just because her name is Kennedy, and she hasn't been in politics? All great politicians have to start somewhere, and I believe that the NY seat would be a great start for Caroline as a politician.

As for forcing Caroline to run, why not just give her the seat now, she'll have to run for it TWICE: in 2010, and 2012, it's not like she could just buy the seat like Blago tried to do with Obama's seat. People fail to see the debt she would owe Patterson and the NY people if she's appointed.

[spiderbucket]

No, not all of the people saying that supported Palin at all - and still don't. But facts are that CK is only up for this because of her last name. That's not a qualification.

[bogues]

She is being considered for it because she let the Gov. know that she is interested. It is not because of her name. The other people who are being considered are there because they too let it be known that they are interested. The media have had a field day with this and it is so unfair to Mrs. Kennedy Schlossberg. She has not asked for special treatment, she simply asked to be considered for the Senate seat. The rest of it is rampant speculation.

[meko]

There are many people who've campaigned for Obama, not Palin, who are distressed by the possible appointment of Caroline Kennedy.

I don't think its fair to describe Andrew Cuomo, Byron Brown, Carolyn Maloney, Elizabeth Holtzman, Thomas Suozzi, Nydia Velazquez, and Kirsten Gillibrand as corrupt when they have no record of corruption (and they have been in the public eye for a while). But when people say, "better Caroline Kennedy than some corrupt politician" that's what they're saying.

So why not give one of them the seat now? They all have used their ideals to inspire their accomplishments. If you look at their records of achievement, I think they all can be described as having good judgment and a commitment to their constituents.

If they are a success, Caroline Kennedy can fundraise on their behalf (something she's only done for Obama, for six weeks, and for her own family members). If not, she can run. She can always start as a state senator or even as a congresswoman. I imagine it'd be boring to start at the top. Why not find out if she likes it before taking on such responsibility. I mean, were talking about a woman who doesn't even have a consistent record of voting as a citizen who just discovered she cares about politics.

[Myshkin57]

"Later he would say of the build up to his selection: it is "more like the prelude to a high school prom than the choosing of the United States Senate.""

That may be one of the most honest and intelligent things a politician has said all year.

[spiderbucket]

I am a dem and fully support Obama but I don't want some spoiled rich kid to be handed a senate seat because of their last name. I'm sick to death of that kind of thing. Obama made his own money, Bill Clinton made his own money...we don't need more Bushes and Kennedys and Rockafellers. That's how we got into this mess already - out of touch people who think they are entitled to everything. To me, Carline Kennedy isn't any better than Paris Hilton. They both have gotten where they are due to Daddy's name and fortune. Enough already !

[Letterman]

What an insulting post.

[edwarvir]

Letterman name one thing that Hillary has
done for New York as a Senator. Caroline Kennedy
has raised money for the public schools and
helped with the arts in New York. Hillary was accepted
the first time because of Bill. He promised us
jobs which never materalized.

[spiderbucket]

Mine ? Insulting to whom ? Rich spoiled kids ?

[jchflorida]

Rockefellers ....... and how did Hillary get the seat? ...she was married to the President . Caroline would make a great Senator

[meko]

Lots of people could do better. Andrew Cuomo, Byron Brown, Carolyn Maloney, Elizabeth Holtzman, Thomas Suozzi, Nydia Velazquez, Kirsten Gillibrand, Steve Israel.

The choice isn't between Hillary and Caroline. There are a lot of talented, hard working, committed people in New York. They just don't have as much fame, money, and access.

[bubbuh]

Masturbate in private from now on.

[spiderbucket]

Nice retort. That really made me change my mind.

[bogues]

George Bush became Governor of Texas because of his name. Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg has spent her adult life working to help others through charities and sitting on boards and through foundation work. She is an intelligent accomplished woman and she has not riden anyone's coat tails to get there. She is a lawyer and so many other things. She is a serious minded person.

[meko]

She is a non-practicing lawyer. She has never held a full-time job. She's never even been in a position that would entail a performance review. How do we know what a serious minded person she is? She could be, but she's been so private, there's no real way to know.

There are a lot of people who have put in serious hours, doing the work that brings their ideals into reality. I'm tired of the idea that they should be passed over for the sake of Kennedy glamor. If anyone else hired a PR group to get them this appointment, they'd be laughed at.

[Vige]

On Morning Joe last week, as they dragged CK over the coals as not being qualified, Lawrence O'Donnell made a comment that shut everyone up. He simply asked for them to name one other person interested in the appointment that could call the President and have his full trust.

The silence and the light bulb look on their faces was just priceless.

[meanguy]

so, serving obama is the function of a US senator? silly me...i thought it was to represent their state's citizens

[jmundstuk]

Jerry Nadler would be a good choice, although I wonder if he could win in upstate. Nita Lowey wants to stay in the House, and I don't blame her. Eliz Holzman would also be great.

Or Patterson could go outside the box and appoint Al Sharpton.

[edwarvir]

jmundstuk I think David Patterson would make a
great Senator, but I like Caroline Kennedy also.

[vegasobserver]

Jerry Nadler is a good congressman, no doubt.

Please don't accuse me of being anti-Semitic, though, but wouldn't having 2 Jewish U.S. Senators be a little bit of a slight to minorities like blacks and Hispanics who now make up a sizable chunk of NY?

How about a Hispanic senator from New York, like Rep. Jose Serrano?

I'm just sayin', why don't we spread the love a little?