Pressure is mounting for an upstater to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton in the U.S. Senate should she be asked by President-elect Barack Obama to join his cabinet as secretary of state.
Erie County Democratic Chairman Leonard R. Lenihan is already campaigning for Rep. Brian Higgins of Buffalo and others speculate that Gov. David A. Paterson may consider someone from outside the group of usual candidates, given the new and total domination of state government by New York City Democrats.
“Here is an opportunity for the governor to make Western New York really important,” said Hank Sheinkopf, a Democratic political consultant from Manhattan. “He needs to get someone of high quality and substance from Western New York. It’s the fair and right thing to do.”
I am skeptical of either scenario panning out.
First, I don’t think Hillary is under serious consideration — if she is under consideration at all. Second, she would make a horrible secretary of state, for one thing, and I can’t imagine that she would want the job. Hillary wants to be in a position to make her own mark on the world, and the last thing Obama wants is someone like Hillary in that position.
Dick Morris suggests it could just be a rumor started by the Clintonistas. I wouldn’t be surprised
If the republic survives after four years under Comrade Obama, then he is bound to be a one-termer. Even if not, administrations tend to undergo facelifts, meaning Hillary would be lucky to have a longer than four year run as the country’s top diplomat. She needs her Senate seat as a fallback for any potential climb up the power ladder. She likely won’t give that up.
But, let’s say I am wrong. I am just as skeptical about the idea that Western New York’s favorite camera whore would be appointed to fill her spot. Anecdotallly, I have heard that David Paterson really doesn’t have much love for upstate, and even if that is not true, I don’t think he will seriously consider choosing a Western New York congressman who isn’t well known across the state.
That being said, I welcome the possibility. If Higgins leaves his seat in the House, that seat has the potential to become competitive during an environment that historically should be good for Republicans. He also would likely face primary challenges in 2010 when that Senate seat would have an election for a permanent replacement an could easily be dropped for a more popular and well known Democrat. Perhaps Rudy Giuliani might have a shot at it — especially if the political climate is a good one for Republicans, which is not only historically likely, but a great possibility considering the mess the Democrats are going to get us into.
So really, I actually welcome the possibliliy of Higgins being appointed to the Senate in the unlikely scenario of Hillary being appointed as secretary of state. It actually presents the Republican Party with some good opportunities.
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