Paterson Won’t Fill Clinton’s Seat Until Confirmation

New York Gov. David Paterson (D) said Monday that he’ll wait until Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) is confirmed by the Senate to become secretary of State before he appoints someone to fill her seat.

Paterson deflected questions at a news conference Monday over whom would he would pick. But he released a statement praising President-elect Barack Obama’s appointment of Clinton to his Cabinet.

Here’s Paterson’s full statement:

Since the founding of our nation, New York has often sent our best leaders to Washington where they confronted the great challenges of their day. We are proud that Senator Clinton will join that venerable tradition as secretary of state. She is the leader we need to partner with President-elect Obama to confront the international challenges we face today. I can think of no one more qualified for the position at this critical moment in our history.

New York will lose a powerful voice in the Senate. But the nation will gain a powerful voice in the world. Senator Clinton