Nicholas Confessore has an interesting piece about the possible political calculations behind Paterson's selection to fill Hillary Clinton's Senate seat. I think it's interesting, though I'm not sure how much I agree with all of the opinions put forth:
Ticket balance is also a consideration. Some of Mr. Paterson's advisers envision a Republican ticket headed by Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former New York mayor, for governor, with Joanne M. Mahoney, the popular Onondaga County executive, as his running mate. Rounding out the ticket might be John J. Faso, the former assemblyman, for comptroller, and Peter T. King, the Long Island Republican, for Senate.
"That's a white Catholic ticket," said one person who has ties to the governor's political team, and who requested anonymity for fear of losing those ties. "And it's white Catholics upstate they are going to lose."
I'm not sure I agree that a Park Avenue "princess" (to use Ruth Marcus's infamous formulation) really appeals to Joe Saranac (to put an upstate twist on an annoying political cliche), regardless of her religion. The article does go on to point out that Mario Cuomo (who is on the ticket) is Catholic and popular upstate. And I think the article is right to point out that the issue here is the whole ticket, not just the Senate race -- I don't think there's anyway Peter King beats anybody in that race but Rudy might have some chance against Paterson (though Paterson would clearly be the favorite).
This brings up another question: does anyone have any thoughts on who Paterson will pick for Lieutenant Governor? |
