Paterson Will Pick Caroline: Report

Caroline Kennedy is Governor Paterson's "certain" choice to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate, according to the New York Post.

Citing information from unhappy contenders for the Senate seat who have told friends and associates in recent days that Paterson has painted himself into a corner by waiting so long to pick a replacement, the Post reports that Paterson will tap Kennedy. 

The nearly two months of indecision, "would 'greatly embarrass' and 'entirely humiliate' Kennedy, anger her prominent political family and even offend President-elect Barack Obama," the New York Post reported.

Some rivals for the Clinton Senate seat, including Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan) claim the fix is in, according to the Post.  It would work like this:  Paterson would pick Kennedy, Mayor Bloomberg's choice, in exchange for the mayor's help with his own reelection bid. 

Another would-be candidate told the Post that Paterson's claims that there is no front runner "baloney."

"It's been a done deal from the start," the would-be candidate told the Post. "David goes with Caroline with the understanding that Caroline, and her family and its resources, go with David next year. This stuff with Paterson saying he's looking at other people is a crock."     

The Daily News, meanwhile, is reporting that that the governor still has not made a choice and that the Obama team wants Kennedy and is anxiously awaiting Paterson's decision.

"We can't follow the logic in his process," an Obama administration source told the News. "We want Caroline. We won't indicate disappointment with where he ends up

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