Yes, the rules say that the governor gets to fill senate vacancies like the one we're about to have here in New York.  But in this case, I really think that New York needs a special election.  Governor David Paterson wasn't elected to his post.  I voted for Eliot Spitzer, not him and I'm not convinced that, had Paterson been the gubernatorial candidate in 2006, that I'd have supported him.

The rumor now is that Paterson will appoint Caroline Kennedy to Hillary's seat.  I know she's popular in the party but she hasn't done anything to convince me that she should be my representative in the senate.  If she ran in a special election as the Democratic nominee I'd likely vote for her, but let's see.  Let's have her make the case.  If anyone would care to tell me why Caroline Kennedy is qualified for the post, please do.  Aside from her last name, I don't see what makes her so special.  I don't think that somebody should get to be my senator just by dint of membership in a moneyed political dynasty.

Having both a governor and a senator who haven't been elected just isn't acceptable and allowing the unelected governor to choose the unelected senator without any input from the people is just ludicrous.