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Paterson has much to weigh in filling Clinton's seat

BY JAMES T. MADORE | james.madore@newsday.com

December 1, 2008

ALBANY - Gov. David A. Paterson would prefer to appoint a minority to replace U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton if she becomes secretary of state, his aides said last week.

Paterson, New York's first African-American chief executive, is acutely aware of the absence of diversity in the state's political hierarchy. White men occupy the offices of attorney general, comptroller, State Senate majority leader, Assembly speaker and the other U.S. Senate seat. All but one are Democrats and hail from either New York City or its suburbs.

Paterson hopes his Senate pick also will be a woman or from upstate, thereby addressing other concerns about the political class' exclusivity, said two gubernatorial aides who requested anonymity.

Changing the face of Albany

Three on the list of potential candidates appear to best meet Paterson's criteria: Reps. Nydia Velazquez of Brooklyn and Nita Lowey of Westchester, both of whom are Hispanic [CORRECTION: A story yesterday about possible replacements for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton misidentified the ethnicity of Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester). (A17 ALL 12/2/2008)], and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, who is African-American.

Velazquez declined to comment on any U.S. Senate aspirations. Brown said, "If the governor called and expressed an interest in me for this position, I would be interested in talking to him." The men served together in the State Senate.

Lowey said it was "too early" to talk about Clinton's successor. But political experts said Lowey would prefer to remain in the House of Representatives, where her longevity means a powerful role on the Appropriations Committee. Paterson likely wouldn't want New York to lose such clout on Capitol Hill and may want someone younger, they said.

Asked last week about choosing someone from upstate, the governor said it was among his priorities, along with promoting diversity. "It's very important because ... there is history and familiarity that people have who come from different parts of the state or have unique backgrounds that we'd like to see in government."

Since moving into the Executive Mansion after Eliot Spitzer's resignation on March 17, Paterson has appointed minorities and women to several top jobs in his administration.

A number of other potential candidates have been mentioned for the Senate seat, including Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington), environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Elmhurst) and Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

The Cuomo factor

The experts said Cuomo, in particular, is still in the running because of his high profile and because it could benefit Paterson politically. In addition, a Marist College poll on Nov. 18 found 43 percent of registered voters supported Cuomo following Clinton.

"If Andrew Cuomo walks into the Senate, everyone will know New York is in the house," said William T. Cunningham, a former aide to the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Govs. Mario Cuomo and Hugh Carey.

"Andrew Cuomo would be a very solid, very good choice ... He also would help Paterson, the untested quarterback, by giving him another large blocking back for the 2010 campaign," Cunningham said, referring to Paterson not being elected governor.

Cuomo has deflected questions with jokes. His spokesman declined to comment.

Paterson, who has taken himself out of the running for Clinton's seat, plans to seek election in two years. He will be on the ballot with his Senate pick, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and candidates for lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller and the legislature.

If Cuomo returns to Washington, where he served as Housing and Urban Development secretary under President Bill Clinton, that would put to rest lingering fears of a challenge to Paterson for the governor's office.

"Can Governor Paterson do what is politically best for him and still have it look like it's a totally meritorious appointment?" Cunningham said. "He cannot be seen to be making a very political pick."

Defending his pick

Still, Paterson doesn't want his selection to be rejected by voters as happened to Govs. Thomas Dewey and Nelson Rockefeller.

Republicans, shut out of state government come January when Democrats take charge of the State Senate, will likely target Clinton's replacement for defeat.

Whoever Paterson selects will be expected to lobby hard for more federal aid for New York. They also must cater to the needs of various groups and regions.

"I don't think with all the changes happening in Washington you need someone that has a lot of Washington experience," said comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, who isn't interested in the post. "The key factors are proven leadership and an inclusive style where no community will feel left out."