Obama To Name Clinton Secretary Of State On Monday

So how long does Paterson have (0.00 / 0)

to appoint someone?

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by: Amherst Guy @ Sun Nov 30, 2008 at 21:56:48 PM CST

She still has to be confirmed n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: janed @ Sun Nov 30, 2008 at 23:54:48 PM CST

Clinton's replacement (0.00 / 0)

It won't be Cuomo.

No, I don't have inside information, and I could very well be wrong on this prediction.  But I think Chuck Schumer will be weighing in, and after eight years of being overshadowed by his junior partner he wants to be out front, especially as he has stepped down as head of the DSCC.

My best guesses:

1) Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion.  He's hispanic, and although he's from New York City it is the one part of the city that's connected to the mainland.

2) Representative Steve Israel.  He was touted as the next DCCC chair, until Chris Van Hollen chose not to step down.  He raises tons of money.  He can also help turn more of Long Island blue.

3) Dark-horse possibility, Buffalo mayor Byron Brown.  Brian Higgins is getting a lot of press, but I think that Higgins, with only two terms experience in the House, doesn't have the seniority to get the Senate job.  Also, if Paterson is going upstate there's a good chance that he'll at least choose a minority, and Paterson knows Brown from Brown's four years in the state Senate.

4) Real dark-horse, Representative Nita Lowey.  Lowey was all set to be the Democratic nominee in 2000, until Clinton moved to New York to run.  Giving her the seat now would be some compensation.

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by: Dan Jacoby @ Mon Dec 01, 2008 at 08:21:06 AM CST

Oh man (0.00 / 0)

you want an upstate backlash, pick Adolfo Carrion.

He'll be lucky to carry a third of upstate Dems.

If it absolutely positively has to be from NYC/LI, the only satisfactory choices to upstate will be Israel and Weiner.

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by: Amherst Guy @ Mon Dec 01, 2008 at 08:35:56 AM CST

[ Parent ]

As I wrote before (0.00 / 0)

Weiner took Schumer's seat in Congress once Chuck was elected to the Senate.  The odds that we will have two Senators from essentially the same Congressional District are remotely remote.

COMPLETELY agree with you about Carrion.

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by: Lead Dog @ Mon Dec 01, 2008 at 12:09:54 PM CST

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My take on your take. (0.00 / 0)

1.  Being Hispanic is not a qualification for a seat in the United States Senate, and the notion that geology - being connected to the mainland - is a wonderful argument, if anyone considered the Bronx to be a place representative of the parts of the state not currently represented in state leadership.

The point of this appointment should be to do something that HELPS THE GOVERNOR.  Appointing someone unacceptable to the party and likely to trigger a primary doesn't help the governor.  And is the Governor is really worried about his standing in the most Democratic county in the state?  I don't think so.

2.  Israel is a good fundraiser, but I can't see a progressive  governor appointing a Steve Levy Democrat (pro-border fence/anti driver's license) to the Kennedy/Moynihan/Clinton seat.  Also, I think it is more likely Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida is next in line at the DCCC.

3.  Eliot Spitzer has a better chance of getting the appointment than Byron Brown.  Yes, they served together in the Senate, but on that basis, 28 other Senators would be on the list as well - even Efrain Gonzalez, who like Adolfo is Hispanic and (according to you) from the "mainland."  

I wouldn't point to the past too much.  These guys aren't the best of friends, and does Byron really avoid a primary?  Higgins is a better choice than Brown, but then, ONLY with a makeover.

4.  Nita Lowey is not a real darkhorse.  If Paterson wanted a safe suburban female placeholder, she is the perfect choice.  The notion of "compensation" for stepping back in 2000 is a stretch.  Paterson owes Lowey nothing, and has to do what is best for him - I for one, do not think appointing a placeholder is the best thing for him to do.

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by: Lead Dog @ Mon Dec 01, 2008 at 12:27:10 PM CST

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Who would we want? (0.00 / 0)

Here is another opportunity for us to let our feelings be known about this appointment.  There can be no appointment until Hillary resigns and that will not be until after she has been confirmed in late January.  

As much as it is tempting to get behind a great candidate for the next couple of decades, I would rather choose someone who will not run in four years.  Let's let the voters decide who should be our senator.  

With that in mind, I would support either Louise Slaughter or Nita Lowey.  (Here's another out of the box idea:  Judith Kaye).  

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by: jmcbride @ Mon Dec 01, 2008 at 12:11:22 PM CST

Nope (0.00 / 0)

With Rangel's chairmanship at risk, New York cannot afford to lose Louise Slaughter in the Rules Committee, arguably the third or fourth most powerful position in the House of Representatives.

For similar reasons, I oppose a placeholder.  The senate works on seniority, and whoever is appointed is likely to be last or second to last in seniority.  By state law, the appointee has to run in 2010 to secure the seat for the balance of ther term, and there is a "regular" election in 2012.  

"Losing" Slaughter or restarting the seniority clock in 2010 or 2012 doesn't help New York at a time when federal aid is desperately needed.  Holding a contested primary/general election in 2010, and perhaps again in 2012 may not be in the Governor's interests.  Appointing a proven fundraiser and demographically/geographically advantaged candidate is the best way to go.

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by: Lead Dog @ Mon Dec 01, 2008 at 12:43:33 PM CST

[ Parent ]