Paterson: No caretaker for Clinton seat

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Whoever is appointed to Sen. Hillary Clinton's seat won't be a caretaker because that means two years of seniority lost, New York Gov. David Paterson said.

Paterson dispelled speculation that his appointment would be someone who would keep the seat "warm" until the 2010 election when he commented, "In the United States Senate, the most effective senators are the ones that have seniority," the New York Daily News reported Friday.

While speaking to reporters during the governor's annual New Year's Day open house, Paterson avoided commenting on possibly picking Caroline Kennedy to fill Clinton's seat, and he cautioned lobbyists not to try to influence his decision.

Paterson stressed his point by relating a story about a baseball umpire known for delaying calling balls and strikes, the Daily News said.

"He said, 'It ain't nothing till I calls it,'" Paterson said. "And that's how I'm telling you. Pass that along to any of these excited people who think they're going to influence me."

Clinton has been chosen by President-elect Barack Obama to be secretary of state.