Paterson: I Made Choice Before Inauguration, Will Announce Tomorrow

Gov. David Paterson offered a bit of insight Thursday evening into how the removal of Caroline Kennedy's name from the list of possible New York Senators has affected the process, and said he would make an appointment to that seat tomorrow.

Speaking on a conference call for supporters, the New York Democrat said that he had settled on a choice before the inauguration, held off on making the announcement to cede the stage to Obama, and will finish the process soon.

"As of Sunday or Monday, when I was in D.C. I had arrived on the person who I believed would be the best Senator from New York at this time," Paterson said. "And what I wanted was to let the inauguration process play out and bring my selected person forward. And I'm probably going to do that tomorrow. So I would hope that within the next 24 hours we will know who the next U.S. Senator from New York will be."

The remarks came after the process of choosing a replacement for Clinton was thrown into a tailspin on late Wednesday evening, when Kennedy abruptly took her name out of the running. There have been a variety of sometimes conflicting reports about what, exactly, transpired. The New York Post, which broke the story, reported on Thursday that Paterson "had no intention" of picking Kennedy because "she was "mired" in a personal issue. This may indeed be true.

Another high-ranking source in the New York political scene, however, claims that Kennedy was told the spot was hers only to ask for more time to consider. Her hesitance wasn't what Paterson wanted to hear. And, from there, it was decided that the vacancy would no longer be filled by the famous (albeit famously non-political) former first daughter.

A statement from the Governor's office issued Thursday said that: "The Governor had a private conversation with Ms. Kennedy yesterday afternoon. Out of respect for her decision making process, the Governor's Office did not respond to any inquiries in order to allow her time to deliberate."

Whatever transpired during that "time to deliberate," a common thread seems to be emerging: an issue in Kennedy's personal life, whether it was her uncle's health, taxes, an undocumented nanny, or possibly her marriage, compelled her to avoid the public spotlight.

As it stands now, the list of possible New York Senate appointments includes the state's attorney general Andrew Cuomo, Reps. Steve Israel, Kirsten Gillibrand, Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler, as well as New York State Assembly member Richard Brodsky of Westchester. The publication The Root proposed that Paterson appoint himself. Paterson's new media guru Brian Keeler -- introducing the governor on the call -- jokingly proposed himself for the position.

"I did run for the state senate in 2006 and I lost, so I am available for any appointment you might have coming up," said Keeler, sarcastically.

"So I've been told a number of times," Paterson responded.

Comments

[kteachums]

I am so disappointed that she will not be a Senator. I don't live in NY but, would very much like to see her in office. It is my opinion that the Kennedys have done only good for this country. I hope she doesn't give up all together. I felt safe when she was on the Obama team. I knew that the decisions would be good!

[D-la-G]

Whatever transpired during that "time to deliberate," a common thread seems to be emerging: an issue in Kennedy's personal life, whether it was her uncle's health, taxes, an undocumented nanny, or possibly her marriage, compelled her to avoid the public spotlight.

UNDOCUMENTED NANNY?

In this paragraph your list the issues that might have appeared after she took time to deliberate. The issues are negative ones minus one. Negative because who wants to have an uncle sick, and who, who wants higher taxes. (However I must say paying taxes is proper and is also an unselfish deed.) And finally who wants to protect their partners; everyone. But certainly an “undocumented nanny” is not!

Having an undocumented nanny is no title and makes no sense. What the “undocumented nanny” is, is a human being. So giving someone a job, which we humans all need, is also proper and is also an unselfish deed. Now this act needs to happen more often because it would mean that we are working together not separate. The act of working together is forever needed.

[D-la-G]

Oh wait!!! You (that’s if theses are your true words) and most understood this “downer” to be an issue because the worker is from another country. Hmmmm last time I checked there is are humans in all countries. The countries have different geography, but the subjects they are and are called humans too.

We are the only country that asks for visa you know. How does that help your character? How does that make you proper? If only we would realize how absurd this is we will continue to be disliked for our improper and selfish acts. And by the way we would save lots of money by eliminating these programs.

Ps I guess I could say to ALL the European descendents and all those who they taught to believe in this so called patriot act TO get out of the USA and all the countries they colonized, but that would be ignorant. It would be still a melting pot. Just without the ideals and selfishness of other humans but again two wrongs don’t make a right.

[wonketteRAWKS]

Looks like 2010 will be an interesting election year in NY!

[Figerre]

Patterson is toast! Good luck on re-election after slapping Caroline Kennedy around. Whatever the reason, he handled it very, very badly, embarrassing a Kennedy is never a good thing in NY, just considering their philanthropic donations alone when NY is in such financial straits. I have nothing against his choice, but this is all going to blowback on Patterson.

[hollybork]

Agreed. It all was poorly done, whatever his excuse. He is mercurial and suspicious. I was not great fan of Kennedy after she failed to adequately prepare for her interviews and showed in what low esteem she held the routine relationship between press and politicians. But she did not deserve to have all this snarky stuff going on.

[tlintx]

Poor Princess. She withdrew because she wasn't going to be appointed. Poor thing. I guess her name couldn't buy her the seat. Oh well, she can cheer herself up by shopping tomorrow.

Hehehe.

[mamala4]

This guy is a LOSER! Color him gone on two years.....Andrew Cuomo where are you?

[ManwithaParachute]

I wanted Kennedy to get the appointment but I thought Cuomo would be good also but wanted him to remain in his current role because we need a warrior for justice in the role he serves now. I like(d) Patterson....
Whatever the deal is, Patterson comes out looking like a bad guy and Kennedy comes out looking like a failure. I believe there was an orchestrated effort to "pay back" a few people with this whole fiasco.

Politics is a contact sport and when the refs (the press) swallow the whistles the players get hurt. Patterson, Kennedy, Cuomo have been severely damaged in this tale of incompetence. The press has been complicit in this scheme which ultimately benefits Rudy "911".

Shame on you NY. You are complicit victims of propaganda prostitutes.

[gasman92]

Rudy is more liberal than Gillibrand !!!!! In two years New York will have a moderate former Repub mayor as senator!!!

[longislandlol]

Somebody should tell brave dave that the guntotin days are over after the 8 year error nightmare-- we are going center-left---- as a nation--- and NY is about to turn center-right? What?

[JerryTheAngel]

There was a reporter on Hardball yesterday (his name escapes me)and he said he talked to Patterson on Tuesday night and he was all set to still pick Kennedy for the Senate. He's either lying now or he was lying to this reporter.

[ManwithaParachute]

OR the reporter is high or lying.

[johnnygoodwud]

gee, and i thought things here in illinois are screwed up. paterson seems like such a light weight.

[Rapid Ray]

I especially get a kick out of knowing who he's going to announce for the position 5 hours before he actually does it. what a waste of time when he steps in front of the microphones. It's already old news and has been torn apart by the pundits.

Sorta like taping the Super Bowl and seeing the final score in the sports section before you watch it.

[bluguy8]

so I guess this mystery woman is the Democratic version of Sarah Palin--God help us. We don't need this. And as NY'ers why don't we have a say in this? If we do this woman is toast - anything will win against her.

[bluguy8]

Paterson needs to go. This woman is from the dark ages and so is he to have appointed her . Step down now

[Diplomacy]

Well, NY State, get ready for a new Governor, Rudy Guillani. Patterson has just handed it to him.

[Osmona]

Not if Cuomo runs for Governor. I believe he can beat Guiliani.

[alanposting]

the Clinton's won this one.