NY Daily News...If Hillary Wins, N.Y. Politicians Prepare for Administration Jobs

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If Hillary wins, N.Y. politicians prepare for administration jobs

Listen carefully. Amid the clamor of the presidential campaign is the subtler sound of thousands of resumes being polished in New York.

Ambitious politicians are starting to realize that a Hillary Clinton presidency would do more than give the country its first female leader and return the Democrats to the White House. Her election could completely upend New York politics - including the 2009 mayoral race.

Clinton's move would, of course, open up her Senate seat. Lt. Gov. David Paterson and Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan), Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens) and Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) are all said to be interested in taking her place, an appointment made by Gov. Spitzer that would in turn open one of those spots.

That's just the beginning.

In a scenario that elicits heavy breathing in certain Democratic circles, the spree starts when Clinton begins to pick New Yorkers for administration jobs.

"It's such a ripple effect, it's almost hard to fathom," one elected official said.

Even if they're passed over to fill the Senate slot, Nadler, Maloney or Meeks could snag a Clinton appointment. So could Rep. Joseph Crowley, the Queens Democratic leader. How about that? Another opening that leads to another and another.

More intriguing is how a Clinton win could affect the next mayoral race. She would be rewarding friends and filling jobs in a little more than a year, just as the City Hall campaign picks up speed.

Some names to think about:

Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrión has stumped for Clinton in New Hampshire and filled in for her at Hispanic events. He's thought about running for mayor or city controller, but he doesn't sound like he'd turn down a sweet offer from Washington.

"Whenever a President calls a person for service to his or her country, it is an honor. But at the moment this is all just speculation. Of course, I would be honored to work for President Hillary Clinton, someone who I hold in the highest regard," he said.

Council Speaker Christine Quinn hasn't just endorsed Clinton, she's embraced her - going to events and getting advice from her strategists. Not that Quinn is thinking about the future one bit: "Chris Quinn is intensely focused on her job as speaker," a spokesman said.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, an independent who has been mentioned as a possible mayoral candidate, served under a Clinton in the Treasury Department and as head of the U.S. Customs Service. The FBI directorship isn't set to open until 2011 - but Homeland Security chief seems like a nice fit.

It's not just New York City politicians getting excited.

Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings is close to Clinton and said to be hoping for a new job if she wins. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) wouldn't necessarily say no to a promotion.

And what about the Clinton allies we don't elect? Teachers union head Randi Weingarten - New York's biggest labor leader - might become president of the American Federation of Teachers, based in Washington. And gosh, if she's already there ...

Get to work on those résumés.

kdanis@nydailynews.com