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Governor David Paterson is considering some notable state politicians to replace Senator and Secretary of State nominee Hillary Clinton, including Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Hudson Valley Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand.

The governor made it clear in a WNYW interview Friday that Caroline Kennedy would need to clearly distinguish herself from the high-profile competition.

"I'm going to sit down and talk to her, and make my decision based on that," said Paterson.

Critics accuse Paterson of running a secretive selection, which the governor himself admits is not ideal.

"The best thing about the whole process is that the public will get to review this choice in 2010," he said.

Meanwhile, crucial details remain behind closed doors. The governor's office says a full list of Paterson's candidates is confidential. Whether Attorney General Andrew Cuomo appears on the list is confidential as well.

Paterson calls it a matter of privacy, but one expert on freedom of information argues it should not be so secret.

"If somebody is seeking one of the highest offices in the land, in my opinion the effects of disclosure, at least adverse effects of disclosure, would be insignificant," said Robert Freeman of the New York State Committee on Open Government. "Secondly, we're talking an elective office."

Another critic, Gerald Benjamin of the State University of New York at New Paltz, helped establish how City Council vacancies are filled.

"I think that when specific and usual circumstances arise, the weaknesses of our institutions emerge," said Benjamin.

He prefers a temporary placeholder, like those who recommended former president Bill Clinton, but Paterson has shot that idea down.

Other states also give the governor the sole appointment power, and a current scandal shows abuse is possible. On Friday, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was impeached after allegedly offering the post to the highest bidder.

"I'm not making any kind of allegations against the New York governor, but I'm saying it's another risk of the method," said Benjamin.

While Paterson says he's after the state's best interests, he's also banking on a new senator's political and fundraising prowess for his own benefit. After all, in 2010 they are likely be on the ballot together.