Caroline Kennedy interested in NY Senate seat

[Divine Discontent]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – Caroline Kennedy has spoken to New York Gov. David Paterson about the Senate seat that will come open when Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes secretary of state, according to a person familiar with the conversation.

Kennedy reached out to the governor to discuss the Senate seat, according to the Democratic source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversation was private. The source would not disclose the details of the conversation.

Kennedy is the daughter of President John F. Kennedy and a niece of brothers Edward and Robert. Robert Kennedy held the New York seat from 1965 until his assassination in 1968.

As a prominent member of the Kennedy clan, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg is the kind of high-profile, historic figure who could overshadow many other New York politicians hoping to be Paterson's choice.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081205/ap_on_el_se/kennedy...

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This is wonderful news! What an inspirational woman she is!

These designs on dozens of different shirts, button, stickers, mugs & more www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[saracat]

1. I dunno. I like Caroline and she is a bright accomplished woman but she

has no legislative or politcal experience and this certainly smacks of the dynasty thing I thought we were trying to get away from.

[sandnsea]

9. Hey, I agree with you!

That hasn't happened in a while!

And Caroline is one of my top ten favorite people. But others have worked their whole lives in government and have earned their way into the Senate. Appointing Caroline is just not right.

[pacalo]

11. She's an attorney & she has written two books on civil liberties.

"In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights In Action" & "The Right to Privacy"

[Alexander]

37. In 2010 there will be an election. If New Yorkers share your concern they can vote her out.

Besides, you had no problem with dynasties when it was Hillary Clinton running.

[jrockford]

39. Rather a Kennedy dynasty than a Bush or Clinton one. nt

[Sex Pistol]

52. Well, I doubt she could do any worse than the present members of the Senate.

After all, the folks there right now are not exactly the brightest bulbs in the box.

[ginnyinWI]

2. Teddy would probably love this.

"...Senator Kennedy from Massachusetts...Senator Kennedy from New York..." the roll call like the old days.

[mikelgb]

3. So am I

AP?

[lapfog_1]

4. First Hillary has to get around that constitutional thing.

I guess they are going to try to do it by rescinding the pay increase for the SoS office that she voted for.

We need to amend the constitution someday to get rid of that provision (you can't be appointed to a cabinet post that you just voted to increase the salary for while in Congress).

Jonathan Turley (who I respect on constitutional law) seemed to think that even rescinding the pay increase wouldn't do it for her. It's bound to come up in the confirmation process. And the constitution is quite clear on this one.

[Thrill]

5. Can she win two statewide elections in 4 ys?

[AllentownJake]

7. Who can challenge her?

She's also a native NYer. She has more cover for being in that seat than the current occupant.

[Thrill]

12. Not sure. But I know Cuomo would be able to win those elections. And how would she fare

If Maloney, Lowey, or Velazquez challenged her in a Primary.

Would she beat Rudy in an election?

[aquart]

16. Beat Rudy? Like a drum.

Rudy can't win in NY.

[AllentownJake]

21. I doubt they would challenge her

and if they did she'd still win. She'd have NY city as a native NYer. Upstate would only be difficult against Cuomo but if she took the time to campaign there as the incumbent she'd do pretty well.

Plus she'd have a huge money advantage based on her national name recognition and incumbency.

Beat Rudy in an election? Judging by Rudy's strength and campaigning ability outside of NY city in the Presidential election..like a drum. Rudy's image isn't what it was on 9/12/2002 anymore.

[Yavin4]

27. Rudy Is The Most Overrated Pol In America

The man pissed off the entire city, but was widely praised for his handling of the aftermath of 9/11. Take away 9/11, and he's Bush.

[LosinIt]

34. And no one in Northern New York cares a bit about Rudy

..

[cali]

51. Hillary ran. She wasn't appointed.

I still didn't like it. I like appointments even less.

[AllentownJake]

6. There is no denial yet from Caroline

So I think this might be happening

[goclark]

8. Yea! Caroline is one smart and classy lady

[McCamy Taylor]

10. Um....Dynasty anyone?

[eleny]

13. If she was Hillary's daughter, I'd agree

The fact that her mentor is Sen. Ted Kennedy doesn't bother me in the least. Coupled with the probability that we'd keep that seat, I could live with this appointment.

I like her and RFK Jr.

[aquart]

17. Yeah, that dynasty meme only applies to Clintons.

Kennedys are exempt.

Especially to hypocrites.

[eleny]

19. If she were Hillary's daughter taking that Senate seat, it would make sense

Doesn't matter what the last name. That's what a dynasty is.

Btw, are you calling me a hypocrite?

[Captain Hilts]

28. SO true. nt

[PM Martin]

60. As you said.

The Clinton hate is absurd.

[AllentownJake]

22. It's been 40 years since her Uncle was in that seat

I think plenty of time has passed.

[stray cat]

31. She will have to face a vote like every temporary appointment - so a really short dynasty

and then an election.

[jetphixer]

14. My prediction

If she takes this position she will also get her Dad's Job. As i am looking at this i'm thinking the huckster,non intelligence against Obamas intelligence in '12. Than the rewhat ever's will again try the Whitch Free lady from the tundra who will be totally outclassed by the Sen from NY,an She will slide in to her Dad's Position.... My Prediction an i believe this will happen.I Hope i live long enough to see this come to pass...

[Gin]

15. so a Senate seat is a political plum to be given away?

not a good thing to give it to her.... IMO

[AllentownJake]

23. The question should be

1) Is she capable and support democratic policies.
2) Will she serve NY
3) Will she be elected in 2010.

I answer all questions with yes.

[gardenista]

35. Are you kidding me?

You obviously know nothing about the plumminess of politics. And it is a very plummy business.

And she would make a fantastic senator.

[stillcool]

38. A Political Plum?

I believe they call it an election, and the people of New York will decide if she gets the "plum" or not. Didn't she just work in the NY Education System doing something?

[slackmaster]

18. My mom will be amused - She's been following Caroline since her birth

Caroline and I were born within a few weeks of each other.

[Captain Hilts]

29. I used to see her and her mother and brother at the Newport Creamery in the 60s. nt

[mountainvue]

49. Newport Creamery was my first job. They had good

ice cream.

[frogcycle]

20. Dynasty Schmeinasty

I watched this little girl standing at her mother's side when the horsedrawn caisson carrying her father's body passed.


This country has become more and more regressive - with the exception of civil rights progress - since then. The rightwingers have nearly destroyed the middle class, rolling back the gains of the New Deal. They STARTED that process by assassinating her dad (my opinion) and it would be only fitting that the seat vacated by the election of the modern-day RFK/JFK be occupied by her.

That is all.

[Darth_Kitten]

54. Camelot was a myth, people.

[frogcycle]

56. bite me

that is all

[MasonJar]

24. That provision about pay is stupid; it limits the president from selecting

the person he/she wants, just because that individual voted for a tax increase for an office which he/she had no knowledge he/she would ever be appointed to at the time of the vote. It is detrimental to good government. The current situation is proof of that error. It has nothing to do with a particular person, but rather with good government.

[DrZeeLit]

25. You're cracking me up -- everyone's all p.o.'ed about Obama tapping "the same old faces" and here

comes a "new" voice -- someone with a experience in law and research and the "fringes" of government.

I just read a bunch of the above posts -- about choosing someone who's paid dues and headed up the ladder.
Are these the same voices who want 'change'?

I don't see the problem.

Another articulate, intelligent woman with an aptitude to lead.
What's not to like?

[ngant17]

26. a good stepping stone for the Presidency

so I fully expect to see Pres. Caroline Kennedy in office NLT 2016, after Pres. Obama is reelected.

[Captain Hilts]

30. We could do a whole lot worse. nt

[Muttocracy]

33. is that what the NY Senate seat is supposed to be? nt

[ngant17]

61. It seems to have helped Hillary get to the nomination

besides, compared to what we went during for the last 8 years, I'd be keeping all my options open.

[2Design]

32. I am reading this thread incredulous - we have had actors

as senators and governors who were actors and one governor who ran the olympics and many senators who seem only to have knowledge of religion and a governor in alaska who knows nothing and people don't think she is a good choice

Her family has done so much good for this country and don't seem to be in it just for the money like the current occupant or the many others in the states like georgia who are not qualified at all

I would love to see her get this

[gardenista]

36. I join you in your incredulosity

I begin to wonder what DU has become when I see threads like this.

What the hell is wrong with people?!

Caroline Kennedy has a top-notch mind, and a drive and passion for doing what is RIGHT for the country.

[dflprincess]

44. And enough money that no one can buy her

(I know I'm cynical).

Makes me wish I still lived upstate so I could vote for her in 2010.

[bottomtheweaver]

63. That's a pretty strong factor in her favor.

She'll have to raise a little money for reelection but she won't have to spend millions to sell herself to the electorate like most other new pols.

[davidinalameda]

46. you're exactly right

I think she'd be a great choice for the position and she's a link between the old and the new and I think that we need that right now

[Octafish]

55. Thank you, 28erl.

Well stated and absolutely correct.

[bottomtheweaver]

62. Yes, no one batted an eye when Ahnuld supposedly got elected.

Well nobody in the media at least. Anyway, Caroline is no Ahnuld, thanks be for that.

[w4rma]

40. Awesome. (nt)

[David Zephyr]

41. It should be Caroline. I posted so last month.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Danmel]

42. I'm sure Caroline is bright and capable

But.....she has NO elective or governmental experience. There are at least 4 or 5 people I can think of in NY who have lots of experience and would be excellent selections. Picking her for her name is not enough.NY will be especially hard hit by this recession given its reliance on the financial sector. I mean no disrespect to Caroline, but the Senate is not a starting place for a political career.

[Muttocracy]

48. which people came to mind for you? nt

[UTUSN]

43. Why? n/t

[lovuian]

45. She is Awesome

i adore her

[MilesColtrane]

47. As long as she doesn't use that godawful Neil Diamond tune in her election campaign in 2010.

[Divine Discontent]

50. SWEEEEET CAROLINE! BAH-BAH-BAHHHH!

[Robb]

57. Hear hear. nt

[Darth_Kitten]

53. Would rather prefer RFK Junior.

Caroline doesn't have that wow factor.

[Vidar]

58. Bravo, Caroline!

[bottomtheweaver]

59. Lousy picture, but this is good news.

Good news indeed, for us that is. Bad news for the crooks, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Augdog20]

64. Dislike legacy senatorship idea? Vote in poll for NY senator replacement

Think that it smacks of aristocratic royalty for Caroline "no officeholder resume" Kennedy to become annointed senator?

Rep. Ackerman said that J. Lo. would make as good a senator.

Vote in my poll of your choice for NY senator replacement of Hillary Clinton:

http://bluesunited.blogspot.com