Governor David Paterson joined the Reverend Al Sharpton to spread some holiday cheer to the city's homeless Thursday but could not avoid questions about who he is going to choose to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate.

At Sharpton's House of Justice in Harlem, the governor said he is considering a number of individuals. Paterson also said he will ultimately pick the person he thinks is the best for the state, but will not announce his decision until Clinton is officially confirmed as Secretary of State next month.

Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former President John F. Kennedy, has been vying for the seat, which has sparked a media frenzy over whether the governor would pick the former First Daughter.

"Many of those who are calling for a quicker decision would probably help the decision if they would refrain from all the gossip and, I think, the atmosphere that has been created," said Paterson.

Critics of Paterson's decision to hold off include Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a friend of Caroline Kennedy's.

But on Christmas, Sharpton offered his support to the governor's process.

"The governor should not be coerced or intimidated or timetabled by anybody. It's his decision to make," said Sharpton. "And I don't recall when others had decisions to make, the governor interfered with their time table. I don't know why others would interfere with his unless they have an ulterior motive."

Sharpton recently met with Caroline Kennedy, and while he spoke highly of her on Thursday, he insisted that he is not endorsing her or anyone else.