Caretaker Senator? Bill Clinton, Mario Possible

By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 31, 2008 6:53 PM CST
Caretaker Senator? Bill Clinton, Mario Possible
Former New York governor Mario Cuomo in a 2007 file photo.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Sen. Bill Clinton? Sen. Mario Cuomo? Don't rule it out. The former president and the former New York governor are among several big names being considered as possible "caretakers" for New York's Senate seat—people who would serve until the 2010 elections but wouldn't run to keep the job. Such a move could provide a way out of the Caroline Kennedy quagmire for Gov. David Paterson, who is said to be interested.

"You could find a very senior person who could serve New York well" on an interim basis, said one New Paltz prof. "Then you can say to Caroline Kennedy, 'You know, you'd make a good senator. Run for it.' And you can tell everyone else that it's a level playing field." For the record, Bill says he's not interested, and Cuomo's not commenting. Bob Kerrey and Judith Kaye are also in the mix. (More Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X