The New York state chapter of the National Organization for Women put out a press release Thursday with the following headline: “Governor Paterson Must Appoint a Woman to Replace Senator Clinton.”

The group was making a reference to the decision the governor will have to make should U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton become the next U.S. secretary of state for the Obama administration.

We found the press release, especially the headline, to be troubling because it seems to suggest that gender should be at the top of Paterson's qualification list.

The governor certainly should be mindful that women are underrepresented at the highest levels of New York and U.S. government. But if the person he honestly feels is the best choice to represent this state in the Senate happens to be a man, then that's the person he should pick.

To its credit, NOW NYS issued a corrected version of its press release two hours after the first version came out. The headline with the words “Must Appoint” was the same, but the following clause was added: “Not any woman, but a woman who believes in women's equality and important issues such as economic justice, ending racism, reproductive rights, passage of the equal rights amendment, lesbian rights and ending violence against women.”

We're certainly glad that section was added to the press release, but wouldn't it have been more productive for the organization to offer up an actual name or two, along with an explanation of what makes them good choices? Instead, the approach it did take misses the point that the job of a U.S. senator is much bigger than a person's gender. Much more important are the appointee's experiences, achievements and beliefs as they relate to all New Yorkers.

Coming Monday: Why the appointment system is bad for democracy.