Suitably Flip

For Clinton's Senate Seat, Gov. Paterson Would "Prefer a Man Or a White"

Now that President-elect Obama has made official his intention to nominate Hillary Clinton to head the State Department, speculation has begun to brew in earnest as to her replacement in the U.S. Senate.

Since the most recently elected Governor of New York has resigned in order to spend more time with his family, the terrible burden of appointing Clinton's temporary successor (to serve for two years until a special election in 2010) falls to Governor David Paterson, who - in a shocking turn - has lain bare troubling streaks of racism and sexism in his ruminations over possible appointees.

Perhaps inevitably, noted former President Bill Clinton's name has been floated as a possible replacement.  Still, it saddens those of us who cherish the ideals of a color- and gender-blind society that Bubba's race and sex were apparently key resume enhancers.

"This is not an election. This is not a campaign. It's a constituency of one. David Paterson. It's all about what the governor wants to do," said political analyst Stuart Rothenberg, editor and publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report.

"Paterson has said he would prefer someone from upstate New York, or a man or a Caucasian candidate," Rothenberg said.

Actually, wait... I think I pasted that wrong.  Let's try this again:

"Paterson has said he would prefer someone from upstate New York, or a woman or an Hispanic candidate," Rothenberg said.

There we are.

My apologies to Governor Paterson for that libelous lapse.

Turns out his selection criteria aren't racist or sexist after all.  On behalf of 20 million grateful constituents, I thank the Governor in advance for his sober and objective hand-picking of our next representative to the U.S. Senate.  Join me in congratulating him for his courage in deciding to use this pick not only to serve the best interests of New Yorkers, but also to pander (quite courageously, mind you) to key voting demographics that may feel underrepresented in elected offices that are - lamentably - so frequently filled according to the coarse and bigoted consensus of their fellow citizens.

Truly, where Eliot Spitzer invited a modicum of shame unto the highest office in the state, Paterson has hereby restored honor and magnanimity to the Governor's mansion.  By bravely declaring his disinclination to appoint a white or a male, Governor Paterson reminds us that, while he may be legally blind, he surely cannot be labeled color-blind.

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For Clinton's Senate Seat, Gov. Paterson Would "Prefer a Man Or a White"

Now that President-elect Obama has made official his intention to nominate Hillary Clinton to head the State Department, speculation has begun to brew in earnest as to her replacement in the U.S. Senate.

Since the most recently elected Governor of New York has resigned in order to spend more time with his family, the terrible burden of appointing Clinton's temporary successor (to serve for two years until a special election in 2010) falls to Governor David Paterson, who - in a shocking turn - has lain bare troubling streaks of racism and sexism in his ruminations over possible appointees.

Perhaps inevitably, noted former President Bill Clinton's name has been floated as a possible replacement.  Still, it saddens those of us who cherish the ideals of a color- and gender-blind society that Bubba's race and sex were apparently key resume enhancers.

"This is not an election. This is not a campaign. It's a constituency of one. David Paterson. It's all about what the governor wants to do," said political analyst Stuart Rothenberg, editor and publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report.

"Paterson has said he would prefer someone from upstate New York, or a man or a Caucasian candidate," Rothenberg said.

Actually, wait... I think I pasted that wrong.  Let's try this again:

"Paterson has said he would prefer someone from upstate New York, or a woman or an Hispanic candidate," Rothenberg said.

There we are.

My apologies to Governor Paterson for that libelous lapse.

Turns out his selection criteria aren't racist or sexist after all.  On behalf of 20 million grateful constituents, I thank the Governor in advance for his sober and objective hand-picking of our next representative to the U.S. Senate.  Join me in congratulating him for his courage in deciding to use this pick not only to serve the best interests of New Yorkers, but also to pander (quite courageously, mind you) to key voting demographics that may feel underrepresented in elected offices that are - lamentably - so frequently filled according to the coarse and bigoted consensus of their fellow citizens.

Truly, where Eliot Spitzer invited a modicum of shame unto the highest office in the state, Paterson has hereby restored honor and magnanimity to the Governor's mansion.  By bravely declaring his disinclination to appoint a white or a male, Governor Paterson reminds us that, while he may be legally blind, he surely cannot be labeled color-blind.