Purely speculative, but if Gov. Patterson has made a choice and it isn't Kennedy, then it would serve both of them and the process in general if he gave her a heads-up sufficiently in advance of his announcement so as to allow her to save face with an eye towards any future run for any elective office.

Just speculating.

Russ, at the same time you were posting your comment, I was adding an update right along those lines.

Cuomo would be a problem because it would entail handing over the appointment of a new AG to Sheldon Silver, not one of Gov. Patterson's favorites. A case could be made that making Cuomo a Senator might remove him from any plans to primary a sitting governor. While the myriad of problems that New York State faces might seem to handicap the current officeholder, they might also engender an attitude in voters of "hey, he didn't make it any worse. Let's give him more time". I see any challenge to Gov. Patterson's first election to governor coming from Republicans.

There are so many qualified Democratic Congresswomen/men in New York State, its a veritable embarrassment of riches from which to choose. Much of the reason for the drawn out selection process is probably due to a decision similar to choosing between whether to give Picasso's Guernica or DaVinci's Mona Lisa to the Louvre from one's private collection.

Let just hope who ever it is,It is the best person for the job and not just some kind of political pay back...

I have a feeling that Rudy Giuliani will run for Governor on the Republican ticket, despite his name-recognition this could be problematic for them for a number of reasons, primarily being the Conservative Party (they refuse to endorse pro-choice candidates on a statewide level) and the fact that his popularity has faded in New York City, however, I don't see Cuomo making a challenge to Paterson from the left either.

I think that Andrew Cuomo would make a great Senator and as Russ said, there are a great number of potential candidates. Whoever he picks I'm sure will be someone who can get the job done.

It would be beyond the scope of reason to expect that there are no political considerations influencing the choice. Perhaps not necessarily a quid pro quo situation so much as looking forward to who might best support Gov. Patterson's plans for his governing agenda, continue Senator/Secretary Clinton's legacy, offer the best chance for re-election, and also have enough already established congressional gravitas to be a Senator who's immediately productive for New York State.

I should amend myself, they won't endorse candidates who support partial birth abortion on a state-wide level, Giuliani has expressed support for it in the past.

Once in awhile, I get ahead of a curve.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01212009/news/politics/caroline_kennedy_ends...

You know, as much as I respect the Kennedy family, I really didn't want her to take over this Senate seat. She is lacking in experience, and would likely be using it as a springboard to some future endeavor (which I know happens a lot). Cuomo has been accomplishing feats as the New York Attorney General, and has likely familiarized himself with facets of the state that probably need changing, something he can help to change in the Senate.

I know the seat will be up for election soon anyway, but we need to get someone who has experience in there ASAP, because Schumer will not be around forever. They need to build flak in the Senate so that they will have a voice like Mr. Schumer.

And I think it's worth noting that our Governor should probably be a bit more decisive, eh? It's been two months, man, out with it! It's not like the Senate has been in recess...as soon as Clinton left, there should have been a replacement waiting in the wings.

Brett-I believe that he has been waiting for the seat to officially become vacant.

I wonder if the "time for change" momentum would give mr. Byron Brown a legitamit shot ?

In a word, no. Whoever our next US Senator is going to be, he/she will be from downstate.

I'd have to agree with Brett. I hold Caroline Kennedy in high regard, mostly for her work on bettering education in New York, but I'd prefer someone with a little more political chuztpah like Andrew Cuomo.

Of course it's all a moot point now that she's removed herself from contention.

What do you folks think it would take to get an Upstate candidate (Democrat or Republican) elected to the Senate in the future?

One of two things.

New York State Proper ceding from NYC and Long Island or hell freezing over.

In answer to Chris' question regarding what it would take to elect an upstater to the Senate from New York: a miracle. "New York City and its eight suburban counties have a combined population of 13,209,006 people, or 68.42% of the state's population." This is just a guess, but there is probably a greater number of people there who donate hefty amounts to election campaigns than there is upstate. Prospects would seem daunting.

Here is my long shot prediction on who will replace Hillary Clinton.


Gov. Patterson will select:



David Patterson

I recognize that the seat was not open, but still, Clinton was a virtual lock to be in the Obama administration since December. Of course, you wouldn't dub the nominee the 'next senator', perhaps the "Senator-in-waiting' or something like that. Sounds a bit silly, but it happens in sports all the time, especially football. It saves from speculation by media and citizens.

I think the bigger issue is Patterson's lack of decisiveness. I've not been terribly thrilled with him so far. Honestly, it wouldn't shock me if he picked himself, because whomever the Governor is has an eminently inoperable budget and a very difficult task (and yes, I know that won't happen, thank you).

Per WPIX, our next US Senator will be.......

Kirsten Gillibrand, Congress Woman - NY 20

She apparently has had the blessing of both Senators Schumer and Clinton from the start.

Nothing on CNN yet but WPIX is reporting that the appointment of this "upstate" congresswoman will be announced at a news conference tomorrow. I guess their idea of upstate isn't really the same as mine. I wish her the best.

You have to understand, to most non true Western NYers, there are four parts to New York.

1. New York City and Long Island
2. Upstate = the Capitol Region
3. the Adirondacks
4. Niagara Falls (the waterway, not the city)

I know. It just always irks me.

Great pick! Gillibrand represents a diverse district, from the suburbs of Rensselaer County to the farms of Essex County, she's represented a cross-section of the types of areas in the state. She also won 62 percent of the vote in a Republican +3 District, which is very similar to ours here in the 26th.

Now what happens to her seat? Another appointment? Special election?

Special election.

I Battlin Bob have seen and read all the post on The Batavian about B. Hussein Obama and Governor Patterson efforts to command the people of the Country. In doing so and having read all my fellow Batavian`s blog efforts for their love of Obama, I will no longer support the ideas of the republicans. I will address my issues like I did last night to the President via this web site to close Gitmo and he heard my words and after 3 days he sign the paperwork to close gitmo. I will run on the identical platform as our President. When my fellow Batavian`s like my buddies russ and others to remain faceless have decided to plant their flag of support behind the liberal cause, Its time for change. I want to be the replacement for Hillary (FDR) Clinton for Senator, I will on my first day not the 3rd like mr. Obama I will increase taxes 66 percent on everyone that has cable TV. My next plan will be to close all prisons in international countries and apply the US Constitution to the misguide prisoners of those States. I will as US Senator will demand like Obama to sell the US Navy to the highest bidder and to sell off our nuclear or like GWBushie said newclear weapons to our new friends in Iran and north korea. ( sorry russ for the spelling)

You boys are right. it is much easier for the government to deal with everyday issues. All school teachers I mean government employed indoctrination educators are stressed now, they make only $50,000 a year and have to work 5 months a year, they need their wages tripled to 150,000. They are brainwashing (ooops) educating our young. I will band all foreign goods ship to the USA and make Americans buy only union made products. Who but GM makes a cheaper car then them, why buy a Toyota when their employees don’t belong to a union. I remember at a time when TV`s were made in Batavia. And all the 1960 studies were saying we have over 30,000 taxpayers living here by the time charlie and the democrats showed up.

PS, I only pick on Mr. Mallow because of his position with the city of idiots, I never met the man. I really think you are doing good with the issues. I was on the City republican committee years ago and quit because they wanted to treat the unions as kings, Your position is hard enough but you should always remember one thing- working people pay for the things liberals and unions want. What I hate is seeing the city being 2nd chair to the school board, there is no way possible for you to run a city of 16,900 and always crying for more when a school district of 1800 costs 40 million., it just doesn’t add up, if you now what I mean.

Bob-This thread has nothing to do with any of that.

Why do you keep referring to President Obama as "B. Hussein Obama"?

The word I'm hearing is that Gillibrand's office has released word that all of the 10 people under consideration have been invited to meet with Gov. Paterson tomorrow.

Come on Dan, You didn`t read my whole press release I am throwing my name into the hat for the Hillary(FDR)Clinton seat. I hope you an russ support me. HEY russ DID i SPELL OK?

Bob-Why do you keep referring to President Obama as "B. Hussein Obama"? Do you really have that much hate in your heart?

Hey Dan its his GOD giving or muslim giving name at birth what should I and or you call him. I call Geo.W Bush, Bushie and you say nothing?

Barack is his name, Bush uses the term "W" himself, Obama doesn't. Your still trying, despite it severely backfiring in the election to associate him with Saddam Hussein, which in itself is shameful and displays a total lack of class.

President Barack Obama rules!

No it doesn`t it, Saddam will just kill you, Obama and the gang ( Nancy, Harry, Teddy, Kerry, Barney, will just take your money) the man ran on change even though the ABC soup channels told you different. He ran as a everyday person and that is far from the truth. Go to many web sites not controlled by the major ABC CBS NBC NPR NY TIMES Letterman channels and Batavia Daily News. go to you tube and type in Obama name and you`ll find many issues that will disturb you. Thank you for the Batavian.com freedom lives here!

Oh Dan you did not address my press release about throwing my hat in the ring for Hillary`s position, I promise to raise taxes and support union made junk in the USA do I have your support? iM Sure rUss will support me how about you, git r done close GITMO NOW.

A few years ago, conservatives were very careful to differentiate between extremist Muslims and the Muslim world. They would call the extremist, in order to differentiate, Islamofascists, for example.

Then Obama came along, and they want to blast out "Hussein" as a broad brush racial slur to hide their real racism (get over it, he's black), ignoring the fact that Obama's Christian faith dwarfs that of Bush, let alone even Reagan (who's wife called on spiritualists to aide his presidency).

Honestly, though, it's mostly not racism, just partisanship, which is almost as bad and ignorant (whether from Republicans or Democrats). I've no patience for partisanship. It's one of the great evils of the empire, and without which, there would be no empire.

No I hate all extremist muslims that want to kill Americans, even if they want to kill conservative or bleeding heart liberals. Obama is the same person as any lib, nothing to do with any skin color he sounds the same as Hillary, Nancy, Teddy, Kerry. Brokaw, Rather, Helen Thomas, Larry King, Chuckie, Jennings, Barney Frank, underground network, idiot Gov of Calf Arnold, AL Gore, PETA, US EPA, Carter, Casto, Mao, Lenin, hollywood stars do I need to go on? Long live Exxon, Shell, Flying J and any company that sells gas for my car cheap.

Bob-No, you don't have my support.

Your hiding why you call him "B. Hussein Obama", I'll ask you again Bob, why not just Barack? You also have referred to him as "Osama" in the past. Pathetic.

I'd rather not take my news from conspiracy theorists and people who make youtube videos about them. I have yet to see any of them write a clear, concise and grammatically correct statement of their positions on Obama and the "truth".

He's more of an average person than the guy who was the son of an admiral and owns seven houses. Obama worked his way from the bottom to the top, which is why I like him so much.

President Barack Obama rules!

What do any of your rants have to do with the Senate seat vacancy anyway?

As a right-leaning college student, I'm gonna throw in my two cents...

During the past few years, I've watched closely both the Republican and Democratic tickets. I am registered as a Republican (may be switching that to Independent soon), so could only vote in the Rep. primary, but was still intrigued by Obama's meteoric rise in the party. I was against him because of his leanings politically, and was skeptical (who wasn't) when he made claims of changing Washington and reforming things. I've heard that ad nauseum for my short adult life, and was a bit cynical.

Although I am a bit shocked at his what I feel to be overabundance in use of Executive Orders over the first few days of his administration, he seems to be a very charismatic man. As Daniel said, he rose from very little to the top. It's a path that I hope to somewhat mirror in the future...law school, a career (perhaps in politics) then who knows. Point is, the guy is our President now. I didn't vote for him because of his tax plan, knowing full well that he would win. But what he has done for the American people (say what you will about his policy platforms) is brought people together. Even if he accomplished nothing tangible in office, this in itself is a pretty nice accomplishment.

Nice comment, Brett. Best wishes in your aspirations.

My wife made a nice comment on Inauguration Day: "I realize it's 2009, but today is the day the 20th Century finally came to an end."

Much like you, I agree that whether Obama does much as president, or nothing as president, he's already changed this country for the better. No child of any race or background will ever again grow up thinking, "I can't be president because of who I am."

For the record, I didn't vote for Obama. But neither did I vote for McCain. I tend to reject both parties as being part of the same plutocracy.

"All school teachers I mean government employed indoctrination educators are stressed now, they make only $50,000 a year and have to work 5 months a year, they need their wages tripled to 150,000. They are brainwashing (ooops) educating our young."

Of careers directly linked to outcomes that improve society-in-general, why do you hold teachers in such disdain? Pro athletes are payed astronomical salaries, and their seasons last a fraction of a year. The same athletes find their way to headlines colored by illegal drug use, violence, gambling and antisocial activities- the likes of dog fights and intoxication. Why don't you bang that drum as loud?
If you are making a case for managing other peoples' salaries, you better demonstrate your credentials for being so-qualified. Making absurd generalizations does not bolster your credibility.

"...I am a bit shocked at his what I feel to be overabundance in use of Executive Orders..."

On the heals of G. W. Bush's administration, how could the use of executive orders be shocking. Did you just come up from an eight year long scuba dive?

I meant in the first several days. Bush issued no more executive orders than any previous President. I simply was implying that perhaps he should not be so hasty in making these decrees. I don't care how many he issues.

EXECUTIVE ORDERS BY PRESIDENT 1933 - 2009
G. W. Bush, 2001 - 2009, 282, 2 in first month: faith-based initiative

W. J. Clinton, 1993 - 2001, 364, 2 in first month: exec branch ethics, Nat. Economic Council

G. H. W. Bush, 1989 - 93, 166, 1 in first month: federal ethics reform

R. Reagan, 1981 - 82, 381, 2 in first month: decontrol crude oil, terminate wage/price regulation

J. E. Carter, 1977 - 81, 320, 2 in first month: selective service violations, D. C. income tax

G. R. Ford, 1974 - 77, 169, 4 in first month: revoke/amend 3 previous exec orders, appointments (Nixon pardon issued in 2nd month)

R. M. Nixon, 1969 - 74, 346, 2 in first month: est Council for Urban Affairs, Cabinet Comm on Economic Policy

L. B. Johnson, 1963 - 69, 324, 3 in first month: JFK Day of Mourning Nov 25, 1963, renamed NASA Cape Canaveral site- J F K Space Center, appointed comm to report on J F K assassination

J. F. Kennedy, 1961 - 63, 214, 3 in first month: expand food program for needy, amend food for peace program, inspect gift tax per Senate Comm

D. D. Eisenhower, 1953 - 61, 486, 1 in first month: est President's Advisory Committee on Government Organization

H. S Truman, 1945 - 53, 896, 8 in first month: re-est apptments exp during military service, reinstated A M Warren in foreign service, federalized Cities Service Petroleum operations, reorganized Dept of Commerce, federalized United Engineering Co., supported bonds and notes via Transportation Dept., placed airports under sec of war, ceded military reservation properties to territory of Hawaii

F. D. Roosevelt, 1933 - 45, 3728 total

Lets see children are forced to attend the public school indoctrination camps in their local communities. No one forces people to the sporting events to watch the high paid athletes, so your comparison is not even close. I agree about the criminal element taking over in the pro football ranks. In Buffalo last summer they tossed a big party for all the administration for achieving their goal of 38 percent graduation rate. Now the board and schools are $53 million short in funding. Wonder how much more they would be short if the rate was 85 percent. Lets keep dumping more money on the schools it must be not be working yet.

The number of executive orders issued by President Obama might be explained metaphorically: You don't put out a house fire a drop at a time.

"Robert/Bob Drewinski"'s account has been blocked. He has not been posting under his real name.

His posts will still show up, but that particular account is no longer active.

C-Ya Bob !
I guess "bob" is short for Bob Bye now !

I knew it! Funny how the people with the most offensive things to say hide behind fake names.

Nice job Howard! I love that keep track of who is who. I look at the DailyNews site and just laugh at these people hidding behind fake names. If you truly believe what you are saying, you'll stand behind it no matter what. Thanks for keeping people honest Howard.

"Lets keep dumping more money on the schools it must be not be working yet."


He made his point. Judging from the grammar- we need more spent on education.