Paterson rejects Spitzer criticism of Gillibrand

Reacting to criticism from his predecessor, Gov. David A. Paterson said Sunday he thought Kirsten Gillibrand was "the best candidate" to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Senate.

He told Syracuse's WPHR radio that he was "happy" to tap an upstate woman "and one who I think has great ability" after Clinton was named secretary of state a year ago.

But his 2006 running mate, former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, said last week he would have never appointed Gillibrand, a former congresswoman, "under any circumstances" because her "views on issues are either wrong or too malleable." He told Albany's WAMC radio, "We need people in leadership now who know what they believe, who are willing to stand up and state what they believe and make tough decisions. . . . I just think on every one of those scores, she fails."