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Sen. Hillary Clinton has served New York well in the U.S. Senate and will continue to serve us well, as long as she doesn't accept the Secretary of State position in Barack Obama's Cabinet. It is a very juicy offer and one that will be very hard to pass up. Should Hillary accept, it would set off a melee for her seat.
 My vote goes to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who would bring a strong environmental voice to the U.S. Senate. That is something we need and RFK Jr. has long been a voice for environmental causes, not only nationwide, but here in New York as well. He also was a strong supporter of Hillary Clinton's during the primary. I have had a chance to see RFK Jr. speak in person and read his book, Crimes Against Nature, which targets the Bush Administration and its terrible environmental policies. RFK Jr. is a progressive and will be a progressive senator for New York. That much I do know from experience.
Obviously there are others who are in the mix. Rep. Steve Israel has said that he is interested and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's name has been mentioned as well, which would be very interesting considering he is seen as a possible gubernatorial candidate, if not in 2010, then in the future. I have had upstate friends contact me in recent days saying that I should support Rep. Brian Higgins. While I like Higgins, picking someone who just happens to be from upstate doesn't land at the top of my wants from a senator. Using Sen. Chuck Schumer as an example, you can have someone from downstate or from other places in the state who can represent the interests of the rest. If they want the job, that's what they will have to do. Sen. Schumer has made it a point to travel throughout the state and learn about the issues affecting rural New York. The same can be expected of any other candidate or future senator.
So why RFK Jr.? Three reasons:
(1) He's an outsider. When I say "outsider", I mean someone who isn't a politician. If you listen to the names being mentioned, they are currently representing New York in Congress or serving in posts within state government. Instead of promoting another person and then filling that seat, we can appoint RFK Jr. without having to have a follow-up election or appointment.
(2) He is a progressive. Not only has RFK Jr. been one of the best environmental advocates in the country, but he has also been a great voice for progressive issues in this country. He is someone that can win over voters in New York City, yet appeal to those in the rural parts of the state. There is a such thing as a "rural progressive" and I think out of all the possible candidates, RFK Jr. would appeal to these people the best.
(3) Name recognition. It won't be hard to sell the Kennedy brand to a statewide populous. Ask a Western New Yorker who Steve Israel is or ask a Long Islander who Brian Higgins is and you might get a "don't know" response. But tell them about Bobby Kennedy Jr. and they will know, if not the man himself, than his father and family.
All of this might be premature. The ball is in Hillary's court. But if she does take the post, it will make for a very interesting scenario. Then the ball is in Governor David Paterson's court and that will not be an easy decision to make.
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