New York, Dec 25 : New York Governor David Paterson has said that Caroline Kennedy is not front-runner to replace Secretary of State designate Hillary Clinton for the Senate seat.

Paterson put up a caution flag on Wednesday to those ready to anoint Kennedy as New York's next US senator, the Daily News reported.

"How is she a front-runner?" Paterson shot back when a reporter used the term referring to Kennedy.

Paterson, just back from Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany, did not rule Kennedy out of course.

Still, he made it clear he is growing tired of the constant speculation about JFK's daughter. Paterson has the sole decision on who will replace Hillary Clinton, who is leaving to become secretary of state.

He said the process is "sounding more like the prelude to a high school prom than the choosing of the United States senator." Paterson has repeatedly said he won't choose anyone until after Clinton's candidature is confirmed.

Meanwhile, New York Mayor Bloomberg dismissed comments from Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who warned that Kennedy could be beholden more to the mayor, whose people are helping her, than to Paterson.

"Last time I read what Caroline Kennedy said ... she said she was going to vote for the other guy. I don't know how that makes her beholden to me," Bloomberg said.

Kennedy's aides have said that she would likely support the Democratic candidate for mayor next year. (ANI)