Paterson has said he won't appoint a successor to Clinton until she's confirmed as secretary of state.
Caroline Kennedy's decision to seek the Senate seat has added intrigue to the process, but also prompted attacks from those who feel she's being fast-tracked because of her famous name.
The 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy is seeking the seat once held by her slain uncle, Robert F. Kennedy.
Paterson said Thursday he will choose the best possible U.S.
senator for the state, but he added that "I feel less anxiety over the choice because in two years the public will in a special election determine who is the senator."
The governor rejected the idea of appointing someone who would only act as a caretaker of the seat until an election is held, saying it would hurt the state's seniority in the Senate.
"We would like to get somebody who can hit the ground running, hopefully win re-election and move up in the Senate so they can help bring federal aid to a state like New York," which is trying to close a $2 billion deficit, Paterson said.
The governor said that 50 U.S. governors over the past half century have appointed senators. Of the 38 who later campaigned for election, 20 of them lost and 18 won.
"So whatever decision I make, the proper evaluators of these candidates - the public - will make a decision in 2010 and I think that bodes well for democracy," Paterson said.
Besides Kennedy, others said to be interested in the Senate seat include New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi of Long Island, and Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Steve Israel, Jerrold Nadler, Kirsten Gillibrand and Brian Higgins.
