ALBANY -- Gov. David Paterson will have at least a month to choose a successor to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Shortly after Clinton was formally unveiled as President-elect Barack Obama's choice for secretary of state, her spokesman Philippe Reines said she "intends to remain in office through confirmation."

That should give Paterson until at least early January to settle on a successor to the New York Senate seat.

Paterson has so far declined to say whether he has a short list of candidates to replace the state's junior senator. He says he will consult with former senators and people around the state before making his decision.

He has so far ruled out naming himself. Possible replacements include Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez.