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

[BSERIUS]

Maybe Patersn Sees that whe really isn't entitled

[bygollymissmolly]

There is one thing that many people are missing here. The seat is not yet vacant. Hillary Clinton is still the junior Senator from NY and will remain so until such time as she is confirmed as SOS. There's no guarantee that the Republicans won't try to torpedo her appointment, so she's hanging on to her Senate seat, and justifiably so.

[edwarvir]

Bygolly good point. Personally I hope she is not
confirmed for the position of SOS I don't trust
Billary unless she has a whole flock of people
looking over her shoulders and then some.

[UncleJimbo]

Why stick another politican in the Senate? The Senate is supposed to be a deliberative body of the best and brightest in the country,not just a reward for political hackery in the House or some other Office! Kennedy is smart,well educated and knowledgable about the workings of the Government,I say she qualifies! Big Time!

[engineer68]

She may know the "workings of the Government", but what does she know about New York State. The Senate seat is for the entire State, not just the five Counties that make up New York City.

[jaielaw]

Do we have reason to believe she's even visited all five of those Counties?

[bogues]

She knows more than Hillary Clinton did when she ran for the senate seat.

[jmundstuk]

How do you figure she knows the workings of government?

[UncleJimbo]

Most educated people do! I do! Do you? And when you see some of the nitwits the "Red" States send to that august body,I think she would be just fine!

[bygollymissmolly]

First of all, what was Patterson doing in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last I saw he was the governor of New York and I can't see where that has anything to do with those conflicts. Oh well...

I hope that Patterson holds firm and requires Carolyn Kennedy to be fully vetted before he appoints her, if that is what he decides to do. The fact that she is refusing to be vetted should be a deal breaker.

[UncleJimbo]

Actually,the only reason we are in Iraq and Afghanistan is because his State was attacked on 9/11! There is a connection!

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

He was there to visit and show support for National Guard troops from his state. I think you might have learned that if you had read the entire story.

[longislandlol]

He's being too cute by halves- way too cute-----------come on David-- a County Executive from Suffolk-- to replace Hillary- yes- He's qualified -but politics is all you guys care about- so what do you gain-- the Suffolk County vote for gov.?

[hapaglloyd]

Caroline Kennedy for Senator. I fully support her. She is clean,clean,clean. She is not part of the clubhouse politics. She will work hard for New York. She is smart ,intellegent ,well educated and has lots of courage. Please do not pass her up. She may not be a strong campaigner because she is so dignified and soft,but she will work hard for new york. Who else is there,many of the others are just career politicians,I know,I am an ex-resident of New York, I know its politics. She will learn fast,she is well respected ,and Importantly, Obama likes her . She will do well. Cuomo did'nt do much at HUD under Clinton and he seems to be always running for one office to another. The rest seems like the clubhouse,back-room ,cigar-smo­king,deal-­making types. Kennedy is clean, a strong advocate for education,she will work hard to push health care and the enviorment. She is wealthy and cannot be influenced by lobbyist . She has that strong Kennedy sense of public service. She would be a great pick,a great senator. Please support her.

[Quattro]

Nope!

[bygollymissmolly]

And how do you know she is "clean, clean, clean" when she is refusing to be vetted until after she is awarded the seat? That alone should disqualify her. And I am not anti Kennedy, I'm just anti anyone who is so egotistical as to think that they should be given something as important as a Senate seat without being vetted.

[hapaglloyd]

The press is just trying to be sensational by attempting to "vett" her. They are trying to dig up her financial records. Well ,we all know that she is quite wealthy,so what. Money means nothing to her. She worked on a New York State education program for $i.00 a year,raising millions of dollars for education. The press also tried to make a big thing about her missing voted in past elections,but most of them were primaries.

[edwarvir]

bygolly Billary ran for the Senate and President
and we are just now seeing SOME of where
their money is coming from. Why the rush with
Caroline.

[JZ735]

GOD I LOVE YOU, David...we­ll, just not those stupid new taxes you have put in place...ob­esity tax on soda? Don't emulate His Nannygate, Bloomie, PLEASE...

But Dave, you hit it out of the ballpark by saying this...Pri­ncess Caroline, though I like her for some of the many charitable things she has done, is just not Senate-rea­dy...sorry­...

[harriscrl3]

Let them pick someone other than Caroline cause I would love to see them struggle to raise money in this economy. For Caroline I'd give money anyone else I can't make that committment especially since things are going to get worse.

The woman has a law degree she has written on the constitution and Civil Liberties. She has fundraise for education and youre telling me she is NOT qualfied. If these Senators were the cream of the crop all well qualified then tell me why the hell are we in this kind of mess we are in right now. Who cares if she didnt vote regularly maybe she didnt see anyone she liked or was insprired by I know I didnt until Obama. I'd be curious to know how many of these Senators are lawyers or have a law degree. We need to get back to valuing education in this country. You are a legislature you need a background in law.

Carol

[JZ735]

Why do people think a law degree is some imprimatur here? Lawyers are a dime and dozen, and rarely worth being admired or respected.

Caroline has done some great things for charities and education.­..still, her resume does not make her any better qualified than anyone else...the­re are so many other New York pols who have worked their way up the ranks...I personally like Carolyn Maloney, who is tough, and knows the ins and outs of NY politics..­.but we also need an upstater who can understand the special problems and needs the rest of NY beyond the Bronx line have.

[frenchie25]

I like Carolyn Maloney but please remember her background: she was a nurse turned political activist after her husband was killed and son injured in the LIRR massacre. A nurse.

Carolyn was an understandably sympathetic candidate, extremely popular and was elected to her seat in Congress on a platform of gun control. But she had absolutely NO prior political experience - NONE, ZIP, ZILCH - prior to her election.

Comparatively speaking, IMHO it would be fair to say that Caroline Kennedy would have worlds more experience than Msloney as a newbie. For me, smarts trumps all else. That, together with being a real "Kennedy Democrat" trumps all else.

If there were an election tomorrow - which, sadly, there is not, I think I would vote for Caroline. I just wish she would do more interviews and show me and other NYers that she can aggresively fight for us.

[standard]

Get real.

Lawyers drafted the Constitution of the United States of America--and are your surest defense against any violation of your Constitutional rights. That includes your right to freely express your opinions publicly without fear that government or other citizens will silence or harm you. Equally, lawyers defend our free press, which includes HuffPo. These are good things.

It is the Right Wing in this country that fosters the steady drumbeat against government (because they want to avoid paying their fair share of taxes) and lawyers (because lawyers disproportionately support the Democratic Party, which--along with unions and voting machines that leave an auditable paper trails--the Right Wing hopes and works to abolish).

As for Mrs. Clinton's temporarily Senate replacement? Instead of "New York pols who have worked their way up the ranks" (which implies that no one could be better than a pol and that there's some sort of authorized waiting list), why not consider private citizens, for a change? Mrs. Clinton--a professional pol if ever a pol there was--cast one vote too many in support of the Iraq war and sponsored one law too few to ensure appropriate scrutiny of our financial institutions. A fresh face backed by an exemplary record of civic involvement and, yes, a law degree might be New York's best possible gift to the nation--and to itself.

[harriscrl3]

Give me a break its not just law she has written about CIVIL LIBERTIES and constutional law.

OMG Do you know she has lived in the state for DECADES. Hilary just moved there after the white house and what she was an expert in the Bronx.

I mean give me a breka the woman has also raised MILLIONS of dollars for NYC public School. I bet thats more than HIlary so it seems to me she has made more of an IMPACT on the Brons than HIlary.

Carol

[Givethemhellharry]

The Democratic Party has made major inroads in Upstate NY the last 2 election cycles. I believe CK could continue that trend because of her name recognition, and great heart. However, if another downstater is picked for the senate, I believe those gains will be erased in a backlash that could drag down several congressmen. If it isn't CK I hope it will be Arcuri of Utica or Gillibrand from north of Albany. Upstate has for to long been ignored. The Democratic Party really must start recognizing that there are competent people living north of the Westchester County line.

[JZ735]

Who made that inroads? Hillary...
Although she too did not have deep NY roots, she did make a concerted effort to meet and greet with people outside of the confines of NYC and its suburban counties.

Caroline has a tall order to fill here...jus­t because she has name recognition and a legacy does not mean she is ready for prime time. I say RUN for the seat in a few years, build a base, and you are all set...but not having voted is a BIG setback as I am concerned.­..if you can't exercise your constitutional duty, then your ability to count in the process is greatly diminished­...politic­s is not some parlor game for those who want to dabble when it suits them...whe­n you haven't voted, your voice is automatically of no consequence when it comes to anything politically related...­voting is one's ticket TO have a say...Caro­line has opted out too often...

[Doofus]

Indeed, why not Kirsten Gillibrand from...
'The 20th Congressional District of New York is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in eastern New York. It includes all or parts of Columbia, Dutchess, Delaware, Essex, Greene, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington counties. It includes the cities of Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs. This largely rural district stretches to include parts of the Adirondacks, Catskills and Hudson Valley. The district appears to be gerrymande­red.' (Wiki)

She's worked in HUD as an attorney, been elected & re-elected as a Demo Rep from the
area around Albany (literally). There's no reason she doesn't deserve consideration, and
she's from a part of NY that is historically under-represented in the Senate.

[engineer68]

Mrs. Schlossberg is a "downstater". She has been "upstate" very few times in her life. I think the voters in upstate/western New York can see who is in their best interest. We have many who have work within the Democratic party for years and should come before CKS.

[tchristin]

How great to see the Governor put the press in their place for speculating day after day after day what is in his mind. When the press act as responsible journalists, they are contributing to democracy, otherwise they are nothing but a pack of wolves in search of a pound of flesh. Where they were for the past 8 years when our government and financial system was falling apart? Where was the investigative journalism when 9/11 happened, when the no bid contracts were being awarded, when there were no weapons of mass destruction, did they follow where the money went for Katrina clean-up, when the environment was being destroyed and car manufacturers were building Hummers and SUV's.... how about investigating wall street corruption? No.. noooooo it's much more interesting to speculate about who might run in the next election and find out who's having an affair.

[JZ735]

I agree...to a point...th­e same can be said for their failure to find out anything substantive about Obama, who still remains a cipher, and no, his self-aggrandizing books don't reveal ANYTHING.
Sorry, if Caroline is trying to BUY this election, through taking the route of sleeping with an influential newspaper publisher, setting women back many years, then she doesn't deserve it. How sad is it that a woman feels they have to sleep around still to get a job? Caroline, I know Jackie taught you better...a­lthough she was more concerned about getting her MRS degree than being a modern woman...

[standard]

"Obama . . . still remains a cipher"

. . . but not to those of us who read newspapers and operate such electronic devices as TV sets and computers. That "cipher" business is just a pathetic Right Wing fantasy. It didn't work in the election and it ain't gonna work now! You betcha.

[CardboardBox]

"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."

Shouldn't it be: the significance of THEIR traveling together? It is THEIR ACT of traveling together that is the subject, right? So it would be "...Paters­on and Israel downplayed the significance of their traveling together..­.."

I'm definitely not an English major, but this seems the correct from to me.

While I'm at it, could someone please ask the PE to stop saying "PersonX and I" when it's clearly "PersonX and me."

Example: Michelle bought some snacks for the girls and me. NOT: for the girls and I. Take away the girls and you have: Michelle bought some snacks for ME. NOT: for I.

[Obamagirl08]

CardboardBox --

You were correct. You are no English major.

hehe......

[jaielaw]

And yet, even without the English degree, CardboardBox was correct on both counts.

[oldedinthailand]

Just love how pols and reporters visiting IR and AF always have protective equipment. When I was there it was used only when needed (though I guess the way they disrupt and screw up day to day activities they need them). Please, gimme a break. Kabul air base is less dangerous than downtown America at night. Darn, I just love how pols and media support the troops until they are wounded and are of no further use.

[LiberalBuzz]

Can anyone else see the subtext?

Read the name of the new senator from New York and tell me who his real loyalties are.

[robXdion]

Not to be insensitive, but since Patterson is legally blind and can't see much more than shadows, WHY does he even bother going to Iraq??? Just to say, "I was there!" and get a photo-op?

[springsm]

We he can smell, walk, talk and hear...why not? Insensitive, arrogant and ignorant. Why don't you sit down and think about it some. Crass too.

[robXdion]

Can you not read? Self-righteous, petulant, arrogant, and bumptious you are. Why don't sit down and think about how you missed the first four words of my post in your rush to to lash out and feel big. Oh and churlish too.

Because as a Iraq veteran I know there's a hel!uva lot more to Iraq than seeing, smelling, and hearing. Without the visual, he might as well be in Brooklyn on a Saturday night. That's not crass, it's just a harsh reality you obviously never faced, o' pampered choleric one.

[mcantwell]

I have a friend that is legally blind. She worked two jobs and took the public transit bus to get around town. She is very self sufficient.

[robXdion]

But she can't see wounded victims and Iraq with missing limbs, bombed out buildings, angry stares, rushed soldiers, etc, etc, etc, etc . . . .it's not about being self-sufficient. That's not the point. The point is being able to pick up on the experience of Iraq that no verbal description can suffice.

[JZ735]

Shame on you.

[robXdion]

Get a life, sign up, go over there for a few months, and then you can come back and tell me about shame. Until then, stay in your lane because Iraq is not a sweet lil suburban neighborhood.

[DeniseD]

I am not sure, but isn't it more a show of support for the members of the military that are from New York? I realize that this disrupts the daily routine, and is a dangerous situtation, but other governors and senators have done this too, including Governor Palin. I think it is nice for our leaders to go over to Iraq to show their support for our troops.

[bubbuh]

He has other senses. Apparently, you do not.

[robXdion]

You're getting real good at these little whiny petulant grade school one-liners. Maybe you should get off HP and get a job as a stand-up comic where people can give you the proper feedback. Like a foot in the arse.

[FebM]

why is this governor allowed to make subtle deals with would be appointees or this is not IL? are we going to know who has made phone calls and when?

[tailgateshirts]

Its stated in the constitution of NY that its his responsibility to pick a new Senator. It didnt say others had to like it or people had to vote or have a say. obviously all this is in peoples best interest to do so... but no one said it had to be like that. He has all rights to hang out and get a feel of who he is going to appoint

[JZ735]

Paterson will make the decision..­.that's how it works in NY...Carol­ine could all but prostrate.­..oh wait, she's done that with Pinch! Never mind...