Paterson 'Certain' to Pick Kennedy: Also-Rans

Her rivals for Hillary Clinton’s senate seat believe Caroline Kennedy is “certain” to succeed her, sources close to several contenders tell the New York Post. Gov. David Paterson thinks dissing Kennedy at this point would “greatly embarrass” and “entirely humiliate” her and her family—and potentially displease President-elect Obama, a clan ally.

Paterson may have his 2010 election chances on his mind, sources added. “David goes with Caroline with the understanding that Caroline, and her family and its resources, go with David next year,” one said. But there could be backlash if he does, one Dem cautions: “Kennedy is not who the public wants, and every upstate newspaper has come out against her. Picking Caroline could turn into a disaster for Paterson.”
(More Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg stories.)