Paterson Not 100 Percent Sure He Should Be Picking a Senator

ALBANY—David Paterson seems to have gotten so frustrated with everything U.S. Senate–related that he would rather see a special election to fill the seat.

He's spat out the statistics on appointed senators previously, but before doing so on New Year's Day, said, "This process really should be filled by a special election." (See video below)

That would put the governor in agreement with what a smattering of different people have been saying about reforming the selection process.

"I don't really see it as my choice," Paterson said later on New Year's Day. "I see it as an interim appointment and the public will decide in 2010."

When asked if he intended to change things so the governor would not have appointment powers, he said no, "because if you look at the history, the public gets it."

Paterson also said Caroline Kennedy requested a meeting with him to make her case for the seat. Others, including Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell, have been granted one-on-one interviews, but Paterson refused to say comprehensively whom he has spoken to, noting, "I've only met with people who are willing to publicize that they had the meeting with me themselves."

When asked if there was a short list, Paterson quoted umpire Bill Klem about where a pitch, or senate pick, metaphysically exists: "It ain't nothing till I calls it," Paterson said. "Pass that along to any of these excited people who think they can influence me."