(CNN) - New York Gov. David Paterson said Friday he is prepared to announce who will replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate immediately after the presidential inauguration.
In an interview on New York radio station WFAN, Paterson said he had planned on making the announcement this weekend, but later decided the timing would be better next week.
"We now know that Sen. Clinton is going to be the secretary of state. She sailed through her committee hearing," Paterson said "I would probably have done it this weekend, but I decided I didn't want to trample on Sen. Clinton's ability to come back and say farewell to her constituents, or the inauguration."
"Right after the inauguration, I expect to be getting to that," he added.
Paterson, who alone has the power to appoint someone to replace Clinton for two years, also dismissed recent polls showing more New Yorkers want state Attorney Gen. Andrew Cuomo for the post rather than Caroline Kenedy.
"The polls go up and down, it was somebody else a few weeks ago," he said. "I think that's more name recognition. There are some great candidates who have distinguished themselves who are not as well known."
Two recent polls both showed Kennedy has lost significant support among New Yorkers since she first expressed interest in the job.
But ultimately, Paterson said, his job is not to pick the candidate who’s most popular at the moment.
"It's the person who is going to be popular in 2010, when they run for re-election," the New York governor said.
From CNN Politics
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Looks like he's hinting Caroline Kennedy. Makes sense since she's a Kennedy so she's entitled to be crowned U.S Senator, or any other high ranking positions she wishes. It's great that more royal blood descendants of our nation's Camelot monarchy is getting back into power.
WHOEVER HAS SERVED THE PEOPLE
OF NY MOST, DESERVES THE SEAT.
We don't need another aristocratic, spoiled rich kid in there. These kids, think their money can buy them whatever they want, and they can simply point to a job, confident that it'll be handed to them, even without a shred of experience. No way.
Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg would be another "puppet" in Office with no background in gov't service. How would she operate? Same as Bush, someone else would be the Puppetmaster pulling the strings, and we all know what a disaster that was for him.
It's funny, she seemed to crawl out of the woodwork after all these years in seclusion when "Uncle Teddy" decided he wants to extend his Kennedy Dynasty. If there's a worse motive than that, I can't think of it.
ANYBODY would be better than clinton – she only became a new york senator to have a place from which to run for president – don't the new yorkers realize that yet? they would have been better represented by blago – at least he was in the city he was suppose to be running – not running around the country trying to get elected to the office he really wanted and used the people to get there!!! when will americans wake up to the self-serving clintons and run them out of town(whatever town they call home for the moment)?????????
@ Steve – Well put. Gov. Patterson should realize that it's not a popularity contest, so who will be most "popular" in 2010 is irrelevent. Who is most qualified for New York now is what he should be thinking of.
have u seen this women on tv talk about it, caroline is a idiot, good job new york, you yanks should be proud
You should not say no to a Princess. Caroline is a part of Camelot so it is her destiny to lead.
CNN should have "hat-tipped" Politico on this as they had it first (from me, incidentally).
THE GOV. SHOULD GIVE IT TO THE INDIVIDUAL
THAT HAS GIVEN THE MOST TO NEW YORK.
SEAT SHOULD GO TO SOMEONE THAT HAS
A HISTORY OF ROLLING UP THE SLEEVES
& HELPING NEW YORKERS & THE NATION.
And what a BIG seat to fill...
As much as we may laugh/cry/scream at the Democrats' supposedly disorganized responses to issues, we must remember that these responses force us to re-think our decisions thus resulting in better legislation. Not the rubber stamp responses of the past 8 years.
I don't envy Patterson. No matter who he chooses, there will be multitudes of backlash. It is not an enviable position. Can we all just take a moment out of our campaigning and politicking, and just acknowledge that this man is not in an enviable position at this moment, and send him our best wishes. This is the second time in less than a year that this poor guy has been thrust into the national limelight because of someone *else's* decisions. Let's just all take a step back and give the man some breathing room and some support.
Mr Governor, I hope the rest of your administration goes more smoothly than this last year. You've more than earned it!!!
Andrew Cuomo.
Very hard for anyone to replace Hillary.
She knows more and works harder than anyone.
And New Yorkers have rewarded her talent and ability with sky high approval ratings, a landslide election and a mind blowing 70% for re-election.
She will be missed but at least her considerable talents will be put to good use as Sec. of State.
Another appointment by another CORRUPT democratic govenor!!
ObamaKennedy – I hope you were joking. If not you are definately part of the problem.
Adam January 16th, 2009 1:53 pm ET
Caroline Kennedy? Well uh, you know, what makes her so special and experinced? you know. You people made fun of Palin you know but Caroline Kennedy is as smart as a bag of rocks you know
________
Really? How many stupid people do you know that graduate Harvard *and* Columbia Law School?
How many community colleges did Sarah Palin attend? Big difference.
Patterson should, um, you know, pick, um, the best candidate, you know, to represent, you know, New York. Patterson, um, should not, you know, worry about, you know, who can, um, raise the most, um, money, you know.
Gov. Patterson, I strongly encourage you to search your heart, and seek God's wisdom, in picking the next Sen. for New York State.
It's hard to fill the shoes that Sen. Clinton walked in as she had great access of her own, and her husbands. With that in mind, I personally would encourage you to Pick Caroline Kennedy. It's a sneeze to hear others say she doesn't have experience..she does..and it came from the trenches of NYS..where it counts most. She knows our citizens, she made herself to be among them and not just the rich. She has brought out the best in some of the worst.
Go Caroline!
Again, no election. This is just like the USSR of the cold war, only at least they would have a sham electino to ensure one party control. The Democrats don't even go through that charade.
There is NO "replacing" Hillary Clinton. There will be someone who "takes her spot", but never anyone to replace her. She's the greatest! Leading lawyer, First Lady, Senator, Secretary of State-–Next stop....Commander in Chief 2016. If people don't vote for her then with all her brains, balls, qualifications, etc.....then I deem the United States officially retarded!
Who ever is picked has two years to prove to the people of New York that they are doing a good job. If they don't do a good job,elect someone else. Some of these comments seem like this is a life time appointment. If Kennedy, Cuomo, or anyone else that wants the job isn't picked they can start to run for the next election in about... 10 days from now. By the way, if any of the interested people that didn't get picked don't run 2010, then Paterson made the right pick
This post should be giving to someone that is known in helping New yorkers