Caroline A Shoo-In?

When Hillary Clinton is confirmed as the next Secretary of State, she will resign from the Senate and it will be up to New York Governor David Paterson to name her replacement -- before the weekend, he has said.

RadarOnline.com sources in Albany tell us that it is "more than likely" his selection will be Caroline Kennedy.

Stressing that nothing has been finalized, aides tell us that there are four compelling reasons to select her to fill out the remaining 2 years of Senator Clinton's term.

"The governor feels that there are not enough women in the senate," one source says. "With Senator Clinton gone there will be even fewer. He believes that Caroline Kennedy's close ties with President Obama will be extremely beneficial for New York. And when it comes time to run for the seat on her own, the Kennedy name is a donor magnet."

Her chief rival, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, is still in the running, however. Another source tells us, "Appointing Cuomo as Senator removes him as potential gubernatorial rival when it comes time for Governor Paterson's reelection bid."

Yes. There's a practical side to politics too.

The most unlikely scenario now, we're told, is a caretaker senator like Bill Clinton or former governor Mario Cuomo, father of Andrew.

"That would be viewed as indecisive," a source suggests.