NEW YORK - Gov. David Paterson says he's in no rush to name a replacement for Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Paterson, speaking in Harlem on Thursday, said those urging a speedy selection should refrain from gossip. But he says, “I feel less anxiety over the choice because in two years the public will, in a special election, determine who is the senator.”

But 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.”