The expected move of Hillary Clinton to Foggy Bottom will set off an intriguing parlor game among New York State Democrats. Whom will Governor Paterson appoint to succeed Clinton? And how will it affect the gubernatorial and senate races in New York in 2010?
New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has long been seen as a likely primary opponent to Paterson in 2010, and given his famous name and fundraising base, he’s likely to offer a stiff challenge. Paterson will surely be tempted to dispatch Cuomo to Washington — if he’s willing to go. Recent reports say Cuomo would turn the job down, but his attitude might change once the discussion moves past hypotheticals.
On the other hand, the New York State chapter of NOW wants a woman to succeed Clinton. That could boost the chance that New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn could become the first openly lesbian member of the U.S. Senate. And if all that speculation weren’t enough, the New York Post reports that Paterson and Senator Chuck Schumer may already have a deal to appoint a relative nobody to the spot. It seems that Schumer’s priority is that he get recognized as New York’s senior Senator, and Andrew Cuomo would be the only contender for the Senate seat to threaten that status. Schumer apparently wants a less high-profile junior Senator — someone like Buffalo Representative Brian Higgins, or Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand.
Whoever ultimately succeeds Clinton, both the successor and Paterson will be up for re-election in 2010. Waiting in the wings are New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (whose popularity has dipped since he announced his plan to seek a third term), and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani. A recent Marist poll shows that even as Paterson’s popularity falls, he still leads both Bloomberg and Giuliani. But Giuliani may have an ace-in-the-hole if he runs for Goveror in 2010: he will be the only one of the three candidates who won’t be responsible for eliminating massive budget deficits in the next two years. Both Bloomberg and Paterson are looking at tax increases and spending cuts to address the deteriorating fiscal state of New York City and New York State, respectively. Neither one may be sporting a shining resume in 2010, and voters may be ready for new leadership.
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
Daniel Horowitz
I live in NY
dld1717 (Diary) Friday, November 21st at 7:33PM EST (link)2010 looks to be a big year in Big Apple
NY will have 2 US Senate Races now (Schummer is up as well)
Gov Race
There has been a few rumblings even Bill may want the Senate Seat
I think Paterson will name Cuomo but I am sure that will rankle the pro-choice folks. Cuomo is pro-life. Although, a naming of Carolyn Kennedy or even Robert F Kennedy would not be out of this world. There is also a chance Patterson may name a Hispanic to bolster his chances for Governor. As a Republican I hope he names the weakest Dem possible cause even then it will be tough.
As for Republicans? We have Rudy who has been weakened and I think Peter King may have to go for it. NY is slated to lose 2 congressional seats after redistricting and seeing there are only 3 Republicans left representing the entire state (2 upstate and Peter on LI) and you can guess where Dems are going to go knocking them off.
Rudy and Peter will have to make sure there is no priamry
He should name Tina Fey to play
Tbone (Diary) Friday, November 21st at 8:02PM EST (link)Senator Sarah Palin.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
I wonder if Patterson would nominate himself?
Illinicon (Diary) Friday, November 21st at 8:08PM EST (link)Odds are he would lose in a primary aganist Cuomo. since NY is so Democratic, if he could keep the Senate seat in 10 he would likely have it for life. The question for those that follow NY politics is could King beat Patterson?
My Potus shortlist
declared candidates:
1. Tim Pawlenty
2. Herman Cain
3. Gary Johnson
4. Rick Santorum
among declared and rumored candidates:
1. Rick Perry
2. Tim Pawlenty
3. Rudy Giuilani
4. Herman Cain
He already said he won't
dld1717 (Diary) Friday, November 21st at 8:12PM EST (link)he already said he won’t put himself in Senate Seat. he is running for Gov
Nice summary Brian, spot on.
Old_Crow (Diary) Friday, November 21st at 8:27PM EST (link)Too bad we can’t figure out a way to get rid of Schumer.
“Enlightened statesmen will not always be at the helm.” — James Madison
Like I said before, caroline Kennedy
septembergurl (Diary) Friday, November 21st at 10:11PM EST (link)Woman, liberal, young, and, for a Kennedy, free of scandal. If she wants a political career — and it’s pretty clear she does — this would be ideal for her. 100% positive name recognition, Obama supporter, etc.
No experience, you say? Hey, the Secretary of State designate has zero foreign policy experience and the President elect has no executive (or any other) experience, and is that stopping them?
Getting rid of that jackal Schumer
SG_Lominac (Diary) Friday, November 21st at 10:35PM EST (link)would be better than having gotten rid of Tom Foley and Daschle put together.
P.S. Apologies to jackals.
From the movie “Hard Times”
Jill Ireland: “What does it feel like to knock somebody down?”
Charles Bronson: “It makes me feel a hell of a lot better than it does him.”
Andrew Cuomo?
Brian Faughnan (Diary) Friday, November 21st at 10:43PM EST (link)He’s pro-life? For real?
Not ‘personally opposed but unwilling to impose my views on others’ pro-life?
Amazing.
Bobby Kennedy Jr. let it known some time ago that if Hillary won the Presidency that he would be interested in his dad's old job.
BatMasterson (Diary) Saturday, November 22nd at 9:08AM EST (link)some time ago that if Hillary won the Presidency that he would be interested in his dad’s old job.
Hilary’s still vacating the seat although she’s leaving for a somewhat different job than she had planned for
That is Bobby Kennedy’s Sr.. old senate seat but my moneys on CUOMO.
Hopefully some GOP can beat them in the near future if not a GOP then I at least would prefer seeing the INDEPENDENT BLOOMBERG than any DEMOCRAT.
It will be interesting to see what occurs.