Here's some unsolicited advice for Governor David Paterson: if you wind up having to pick a new senator for New York, choose someone from upstate.

It's all over the news that Senator Hillary Clinton is under consideration to serve as President-elect Obama's secretary of state. And if she's chosen, Paterson will have to appoint her replacement. There's already a short-list of potential candidates. The New York Times gives a rundown - but the only upstater on the list of potentials is Buffalo-area Representative Brian Higgins.

Paterson would be wise to look north or west of Albany - many New Yorkers are concerned that too much of the state's political power is concentrated in and around New York City. Especially since Democrats now control the governor's office and both branches of the State Legislature. Also, US Senator Chuck Schumer is from Brooklyn.

By selecting an upstate senator, Paterson would show that he and the state Democrats are committed to the area; that he wants us to have a strong voice in national matters as well as those concerning the state. There are qualified candidates - Democrats to boot - who could do that job. In addition to Higgins, Representative Louise Slaughter's name has been tossed around. She's an experienced and respected legislative leader who has significant clout. In an interview this morning, Slaughter said she's only been approached by one county chair, and hasn't "really thought about" pursuing the Senate seat, should it become available.

But Slaughter also said that Clinton is needed in the Senate.

"I think she's got a great future in the Senate and wherever she wants to go," Slaughter says. "My personal hope is that she will not take that job."