Dec 24, 2008 6:26 pm US/Eastern
Despite Pushy Bloomberg, Paterson Waits On Senate
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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An aide to would-be senator Caroline Kennedy now says she will back the Democrats' pick next year for New York City mayor, after she avoided answering a question that could hurt her friend Mayor Michael Bloomberg. (File)
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There won't be any Senate appointments under any Christmas trees this holiday season. On Wednesday, Gov. David Paterson repeated his stance that he won't choose Caroline Kennedy or anyone else as U.S. Senator until Hillary Clinton is confirmed as Secretary of State.
Paterson flew home from visiting troops in Iraq and avoided the political landmine that comes with the Senate candidacy of Kennedy.
"I'm just going to stay focused on the mission which is to go through the candidates and to find the best one," he said.
The governor never mentioned Kennedy's name and wouldn't talk about her lack of political experience, her reluctance to answer questions, or that a new poll indicated that less than half of New Yorkers believed she was qualified to succeed Clinton.
"The speculation on this and the discussion has been a bit superfluous," said Paterson.
Today, Mayor Michael Bloomberg prodded the governor again to hurry it up.
"I do think, as I said the other day, that the governor should make a decision because this is just distracting and we don't need another sideshow," he said.
One sideshow is the appearance Kennedy may be too attached to Bloomberg, given the mayor's support of her.
"If I were the governor I would look and question if this was the appointment I want to make, where her first obligation might be to the mayor of the city of New York rather than the governor who appointed her," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Also in the running is Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and several congressmen.
"I assure you, no person will influence me, coerce me, or in any way, cause me to do anything than what is my best judgment," said Paterson.
While Paterson continues his public stance of not being pushed into a decision, privately, the political pressure on him continues to intensity.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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