New York Gov. David Paterson says the search is ongoing, but two people close to him tell The Associated Press they believe Caroline Kennedy will be appointed to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate.

Kennedy’s less than stellar public performance appeared to be on his mind because he cautioned that just because he selects someone it doesn’t mean they will win the election outright.

“The public does not regard my selection as an incumbent. The public regards this as a place holder for two years and then will make their own choice,” Paterson said. “And that takes the pressure off me.”

Paterson and the New York Democrat Party would be much better served by appointing a more seasoned pol or even Bill Clinton as a caretaker Senator but the Kennedy’s have probably promised Paterson an Obama apppointment to a federal position since Paterson is unlikely to win re-election in 2010. The voters of New York will be short-changed with a light-weight as their U.S. Senator but who cares what they think, right?

The Democrats will have quite the trio entering the Senate: Caroline Kennedy who knows how to say, “You Know”; Roland Burris who tried to execute an innocent man; and Al Franken (should his slim lead hold in Minnesota) a lefty comic.

And, the GOP should care about having only 41 votes in the Senate, why?