Paterson Hints At Timeline Over Senate Decision
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After a new poll released Wednesday shows New Yorkers may not be too happy with Caroline Kennedy's qualifications, Governor Paterson says a decision on Hillary Clinton's senate replacement could come sooner than later. NY1's Josh Robin filed the following report from Albany.Governor Paterson has picked Jonathan Lippman to serve as New York's next top judge. As for New York's next junior senator, we'll have to wait a little longer to find out, maybe after Tuesday's big ceremonies in Washington.
"I don't want to distract from that, from the President's inauguration. But otherwise, I would think that it would be right after the inauguration," said Paterson.
Paterson is not ruling out doing it before the inauguration, or before Clinton resigns -- signs of indecision that carry over to who the governor plans to pick.
Sources say it includes Caroline Kennedy, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo or someone else, like Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi or Suffolk County Congressman Steve Israel.
"I want to pick the person who I think over time will prove that they were the best selection and I want to really now start to focus attention on that, now that I've selected a new chief judge of the court of appeals," said Paterson.
Paterson's caginess extends to who he's met with, including whether it's been with Cuomo whose conversations with the governor, he insists, are protected by attorney-client privilege.
To Assembly Republican Leader James Tedisco, the secrecy has to end. He's calling for a special election, not the governor's prerogative, to fill this vacancy.
"You cannot put a price tag on how important it is for the public to be involved in their democracy," said Tedisco.
Paterson shot down the idea.
He's also brushing off a new poll that finds more New Yorkers think Kennedy is unqualified for the senate than those who think she is ready for the job, even as they expect Paterson will pick Kennedy.
The survey finds more New Yorkers back Cuomo 31 percent to 24 percent, reversing a poll last month. Rounding out the list, Manhattan Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney at six percent, Hudson Valley Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand at five percent, Israel at two percent. Someone else or no answer had 32 percent.
"As the person that makes this selection, I don't think I should allow those outside influences to affect me in making that choice," said Paterson.
It's a choice that seems to be nearing.