Paterson back from Iraq, with Sen. candidates

From NBC’s Lauren Appelbaum After returning from Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany this afternoon, Gov. D avid A. Paterson (D-NY) held a media availability with two New York congressmen, Representatives Steve Israel and Anthony Weiner . Reporters peppered them with questions concerning the replacement of Sen. Hillary Clinton's seat in the United States Senate.   "Whatever people say, whatever people want to infer, whatever people choose to think, that decision is one that I'm taking very seriously, because I'm being asked to substitute for the public, which will give its final verdict two years later," Paterson said at LaGuardia Airport, Marine Air Terminal in Flushing. "And I assure you, no person will influence me, coerce me, or in any way cause me to do anything other than what is my best judgment."   When asked about Caroline Kennedy , Paterson knocked down the idea she is the front-runner but said little more in specifics about her. He stressed he would not be announcing his ... (link)