Caroline Kennedy to Seek Clinton’s Senate Seat

[Purveyor]

Source: New York Times

By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
Published: December 15, 2008

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of an American political dynasty, has decided she will pursue the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, a person told of her decision said Monday.

The decision came after a series of deeply personal and political conversations, in which Ms. Kennedy, who friends describe as unflashy but determined, wrestled with whether to give up what has been a lifetime of avoiding the spotlight.

Ms. Kennedy will ask that Gov. David A. Paterson consider her for the appointment. The governor was traveling to Utica today could not immediately be reached for comment.

If appointed, Ms. Kennedy would fill the seat once held by her uncle, the late Robert F. Kennedy.

Ms. Kennedy has been making calls this morning to alert political figures to her interest.

Ms. Kennedy’s decision is likely to have a major impact on the governor’s considerations as he mulls who should succeed Mrs. Clinton. Already, some other Democrats have pointedly questioned her credentials for the job. Rep. Gary Ackerman, a Queens Democrat, said last week that he didn’t know what Ms. Kennedy’s qualifications were, “except that she has name recognition — but so does J. Lo.”

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/16/us/politics/16carolin...

[ronnykmarshall]

1. This should be fun to watch.

[Pirate Smile]

4. So true.

[WriteDown]

2. No more political dynasties!!!!!!!!!!

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[clixtox]

13. I completely agree...

Political dynasties are anti-democratic.

We are way too enamored of celebrity and media produced personalities.

We would probably be better off if our office holders were drafted from a vast pool of everyday citizens. A pool including those who might want to serve along with those who would prefer not to be involved. Real citizen legislators, not "politicians", those corrupt opportunists who supposedly are representing us now and historically.

Almost everyone yearns for basic changes in our political decisions that would benefit the common folk but doing things the traditional way is not likely to bring any improvements.

We are doomed is the most likely outcome of continuing muddling along as we are now.

The "political parties" are probably the first institutions that need to be re-constituted to actually reflect different political/economic philosophies.

Pretty revolutionary stuff...

What do you think?

Think...

[qwlauren35]

64. Political Dynasties are Interwoven in American History.

From John Quincy Adams to George W. Bush.

Name association is a powerful thing. And not all "dynastic replacements" aren't necessarily bad people. If it enables them to be more effective, then I can't complain.

[verges]

14. So, in your opinion, does

having a parent or other relative serve in elective office immediately disqualify someone from seeking political office? Shouldn't every American, regardless of parentage have the same opportunity for public service? I'm not asking specifically about Caroline Kennedy. I'm asking in general. Should Hillary not have run for Senate , even though she was as qualified as many another? Should Bobby not have sought the Presidential nomination in '68 because of JFK? Is anyone named Roosevelt or Kennedy forever banned from seeking public office? That really doesn't seem fair to me. It's a form of discrimination to deny someone a career because of who their family is.

[Raskolnik]

36. Not banned from seeking public office, but shouldn't be *appointed* to public

If she wants a Senate seat, she should run for the office, not ask for it to be handed to her on a silver platter.

[EFerrari]

44. So, out of the pool of all the others who may be *appointed*,

she should withdraw? That's silly. Someone will be appointed. And if she wants to keep the seat, she has to run in 2010

[Raskolnik]

48. I'm tired of dynasties. She can do good work elsewhere.

The Senate appointment should go to someone who has put their time in. She hasn't.

[EFerrari]

49. No, it won't. It will go to someone who can get elected, aka raise campaign money.

The Senate is a club, not a meritocracy although sometimes people with some merit accidentally get elected.

[Raskolnik]

50. And the way to fix that is to appoint a Kennedy with no government experience to the club?

That's an interesting fix.

[EFerrari]

51. What fix? You think it can be fixed?

Caroline Kennedy would be a great pick for New York. She doesn't need to suck up to any lobby and Obama is her friend.

She'll have to run in 2010 like anyone else would.

[Raskolnik]

53. You and I have differing opinions on the merits of political dynasty. n/t

[EFerrari]

54. Definite on the Kennedys, with their record of service and sacrifice. n/t

[WriteDown]

65. Like the Bay of Pigs Invasion or this?

Always thought the Kennedy's were a victim of karma from original sin.


The Crash

Kennedy formed alliances with several other Irish-Catholic money men, including Charles E. Mitchell, Michael J. Meehan and Bernard Smith. He helped establish the Libby-Owens-Ford stock pool, an arrangement in which Kennedy and colleagues created a scarcity of Libby-Owens-Ford stock to drive up the value of their own holdings in the stock, using inside information and the public's lack of knowledge. Pool operators would bribe journalists to present information in the most advantageous manner. Attempts to corner stocks were made that would cause the price to go up, and bear raids could cause the price to collapse downward. Kennedy got into a bidding war seeking control of founder John Hertz's company Yellow Cab which is recounted in a book.<2>

Kennedy later claimed he knew the rampant stock speculation of the late 1920s would lead to a crash. It is said that he knew it was time to get out of the market when he received stock tips from a shoe-shine boy.<3>

It has been noted that during the Depression Kennedy vastly increased his financial fortune by investing most of his fortune in real estate. In 1929 Kennedy's fortune was estimated to be $4 million. By 1935, his wealth had increased to $180 million. According to Time Magazine, Kennedy survived the crash “because he possessed a passion for facts, a complete lack of sentiment and a marvelous sense of timing.”<4>

[EFerrari]

66. The Bay of Pigs was not a Kennedy operation.

And Joe Kennedy was responsible for Joe Kennedy. Blaming his children and grandchildren is a little over the top.

What other wealthy family in this country has contributed so much to civil society lately?

[WriteDown]

68. So Joe Kennedy is responsible...

but Jack isn't responsible for operations under his watch? Generally, the wealthy families that are the least known contribute the most. Its easy to contribute when your family is insanely wealthy from making money off the victims of the Great Depression.

[EFerrari]

70. The Bay of Pigs was already in progress when Kennedy took office.

Of course he is responsible for it. He was the executive. And the way he handled it likely got him killed, genius.

Your gripe has nothing to do with Caroline Kennedy's fitness for office.

[WriteDown]

71. Invasion was launched in April 1961

JFK was sworn in January 20, 1961 .

I am just noting the hypocrasy. The Kennedy's amassed vast wealth of the backs of the people during the Great Depression. Blood money.

[EFerrari]

72. Please read something about the Bay of Pigs. It was already in place

when Kennedy took office.

And please save your lame off topic insults for someone you can impress.

[WriteDown]

73. So was invading Iraq....

And Afghanistan since there are always plans being drawn up. The fact that you give JFK a complete pass for something that happened 2 months after he took office is telling. I guess he was just a puppet. Why ever mention Prescott Bush if we're going to give blanket forgiveness to other political dynasties. Obviously you have no response since you quickly swerved away from my response.

[EFerrari]

78. You only are showing how little you know both about the Bay of Pigs

and about Iraq.

The policy of regime change is not the same as an on-going program that included everything from financing to training the invasion forces, entiendez?

And Kennedy, unlike Junior, did put hands on and fought the Pentagon and CIA on the Bay of Pigs. Two different Congressional investigations found that his handling of the Bay of Pigs probably contributed to his murder. He got killed because he was not a puppet.

Seriously, read something.

/eta: probably

[WriteDown]

82. So the pentagon and CIA was just to powerful for JFK to fight?

Why even have elections then? Puhlease.

[verges]

87. Is it fair to dicriminate

against the child of a criminal when that child seeks employment as an adult? If not, why is it okay to disciminate against someone who's parent served his country? To the best of my knowledge, CKS meets the constitutional requirements. She therefore has the right to seek the job. Gov. Paterson's job is to review all the applicants and then choose.

[No Elephants]

84. That simply is not possible at this time. However, if appointed, she will have to defend her

right to the seat twice in the next four years. That should suffice.

[verges]

85. So an appointing official should

discriminate against people because of what family they are from? That seems very undemocratic. Even the families of politicians should be accorded the same rights as all others.

[Critters2]

86. Neither discrimnate against, nor favor.

She hasn't held public office. The US Senate is no place to start out.

[verges]

88. But she has the right to apply.

Gov. Paterson also has the right, nay, the responsibility, to choose someone else if he feels they are more qualified. Or to choose CKS if she is the most qualified.

[Critters2]

89. "Right to apply"? She's got NO experience. Hell, I should apply

if just breathing is the only qualification.

[verges]

90. Go right ahead.

United States Constitution
Article 1. Section 3. SubSection 3. (Qualification of Senators)

No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the age of thirty years, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
-------

Except for the fact that she is not a he, I think she constitutionally qualifies. I don't know you, but if you Constitutionally qualify, then call Paterson's office and throw your hat into the ring. No one can stop you from doing that. And no one should be able to stop CKS from doing that either.

[mzmolly]

22. Depends upon the history of the Dynasty. I'll take ten more Kenney-esque

dynasties thanks.

[Donnachaidh]

31. I guess it's OKAY if the legacy is blue :sarcasm:

unbelievable levels of hypocrisy

[Alexander]

55. No Kennedy dynasties, but Clinton dynasties are okay?

Please.

[paulk]

83. did Chelsea get appointed Senator?

you still haven't looked up "dynasty", have you?

[Trajan]

3. Yay ...

As a member of a Brooklyn family, I am SO happy she is pursuing the seat ...

Cue the ugly ....

[Saturday]

5. I wonder what Gov. Paterson will get in return?

Appreciation only?

[Captain Hilts]

11. The article doesn't suggest she's closer to getting the nod.

If she wants to 'run' for it, then she should wait for 2010 like everybody else.

This whole scramble sure is fun!

[Shiver]

26. So Patterson should appoint someone who doesn't want it? eom

[verges]

91. That seems to be the feeling of a lot of the people here.

Not all though. Seems pretty silly to me though.

[polichick]

6. Chris Cillizaa, msnbc just said that Clinton doesn't want her because she supported Barack...

Considering the job Clinton just got, that's pretty amazing.

[BeyondGeography]

9. By that standard, Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild is a superior choice

[Captain Hilts]

10. You believe shit like that? They're trying to stir up trouble. Give it a rest Chris!!!

[EFerrari]

24. I don't know if it's true or not but you're right. The media would love to

report a squabble, wouldn't they?

ETA: It's funny though that there is a group of posters around here who actually give the story credence by immediately taking sides with Clinton even though the story may be bs.

[Captain Hilts]

27. Change 'squabble' to 'catfight' and yeah, the media just LOVES it!

Especially a 'catfight'.

[juajen]

21. Is there a link to that quote from Clinton? NT

[ronnykmarshall]

32. Of course not.

[polichick]

35. Norah just covered it again - it's friends of Clinton making remarks...

...about Caroline, like the Jennifer Lopez remark and mentioning that she backed Barack during the primaries.

[onehandle]

38. He said that, huh.

Well, if he said it, it must be true.

[polichick]

47. Not necessarily - but it is true that some of Clinton's supporters...

...have been saying negative things about Caroline.

[liberal N proud]

7. Great news

[CheCheCheCheYerBooty]

8. I admire her

so much. She knows enough from being a Kennedy as to what the challenges and responsibilities of the job are. I hope she gets it and what a lift it will be for her uncle who has endured so much pain over the years.

[juajen]

15. Well, that osmosis thing will surely be the defining qualification when

Chelsea runs for whatever position she desires. Dynasties are suddenly in on DU. Whodathunkit? Let's see, Kennnedys 6 Clintons 2. Hmmmm. Did I leave anyone out?

[pacalo]

77. It depends on which dynasty being discussed.

If we're talking about a dynasty which has proven itself by showing compassion for the little guy through legislation, philanthropy, writing books, creating awards to highlight noble deeds, etc., then the word "dynasty" isn't a dirty word.

[Laelth]

34. Welcome to DU.

Ignore the obnoxiousness that you find here. It's irritating, admittedly, but it's not worth giving up on the site. One can learn a lot in this environment.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.



-Laelth

[Donnachaidh]

37. she *knows* enough from being a Kennedy

REALLY?

So ability to rule is now genetic? I guess we can count on more Bush, more Clinton, more (place you political spawn here) who are FAR better equipped because they are linked genetically to previous politicians?

[Doremus]

74. I like her too.

Welcome to DU!

[bluestateguy]

12. If she runs for it and wins it, then that's fine with me

I would not be OK, however, with her being appointed to the seat, given her thin resume. That's just a little too dynastic.

But if she runs for the seat and wins the election by making her case to the voters, then I think that's great.

[juajen]

23. I totally agree. She should run for it, not be appointed. NT

[bottomtheweaver]

16. I think she wants to finish what her father and uncles started

and I very much hope she will.

[proud progressive]

17. 'questioned her credentials' - for starters, she is not a typical political whore

this is great news, folks!

[2Design]

18. Good - this is a family that likes people and does good works NOT like BUSH

family dynasties or other dynasties that are only out to get the poor - this family has consistently done things for others - this would be a good person to carry on for WE the PEOPLE

[AngryAmish]

19. Sorry, the dynasty thing has me voting no

Now I like Dynasty, with the big hair and catfights back in the 80s

BUT

Political synasties are an ugly thing. This would continue the ugliness.

Stop it now.

[bitchkitty]

43. Loved that show.

Especially Sammy Jo, or Sammy Ho as we used to call her!

[mzmolly]

20. This is so exciting!

to the next Senator from New York.

[EFerrari]

28. Very exciting! I wonder when Paterson is going to make a decision?

[peace frog]

25. Best of luck to Mrs. Schlossberg

I'm opposed to the Bush family criminal/political dynasty, but Caroline has my best wishes and approval.

[hedgehog]

29. Given the state of th Democratic Party in New York, I'd rather see Caroline Kennedy than any

one else. Remember, this is the Party that vetted and pushed Eliot Spitzer!

Six months ago, I would have laughed at this notion. Now I find myself impressed with Ms. Kennedy and also curious as to what she might accomplish. Certainly Barak Obama has shown that there are alternate career paths in politics!

[Laelth]

30. She's likely to be a goo-goo.

I.e. someone who supports "good government," i.e. the bane of DLC types like Emanuel and Schumer who called Howard Dean the same thing and tried to bully him into accepting political "reality" as they saw it.

I have no dog in this fight. It's Governor Paterson's decision, but expect Kennedy to be attacked, viciously, by her own party because, heaven forbid, someone who has the people's interests at heart might actually get a Senate seat.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.



-Laelth

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

41. That is why I hope she gets the nod...

... it seems everyone in the Kennedy clan is actively involved with helping others, ie.... when Ted had the emergency rush to the hospital with seizures, he was at his home getting ready to welcome guests from a children's charity for a fundraiser/appreciation party at his home. In otherwords, a REAL liberal, one that seeks knowledge and actively seeks progress on some of the toughest problems we have in this country today.

Having seen and or experienced the daily grind of running a Senate office in a firsthand manner via her uncle, she has a good idea of what she is getting into.

It is exactly this, the background and the history of success in non-lethal matters (writing, art, charities, etc) that will be a real thorn in the side of the RNC/GOP ideology of today.

[Raskolnik]

33. Booooooooooooo.

I like Caroline Kennedy a lot, but enough already with the hereditary aristocracy.

[Name removed]

56. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Raskolnik]

59. Really?

Well, now I just feel silly voicing a concern over a political dynasty when we're just talking about a little Senate seat.

[OneBlueSky]

39. while I understand the reservations that some have . . .

about appointing Carolyn Kennedy to fill Hillary's Senate seat, as a New Yorker I think I'd rather have someone fresh who's not beholden to any special interests than a career politician who is in the pocket of one corporation or another . . . she's intelligent, informed, and she doesn't owe anyone anything, politically speaking . . . and that's about the best you're going to get these days . . .

[IthinkThereforeIAM]

42. Yep...

... I forgot to mention that part, she doesn't owe corporations any allegiance. How long that will last is anyone's guess. But it would occur to me it would be the correct way to get off on the right foot when entering a legislative body.

[YvonneCa]

40. Good luck, Caroline! I'm pulling for you...

...from out here in California. Senator Caroline Kennedy-Schlosberg...has a nice ring to it!

[TomClash]

45. Fine by me

It's about time we had a Senator who writes books. Nothing wrong with a lawyer-writer-mother-senator.

[Libertas1776]

46. Damn it!!!

I wanted Fran Drescher.

[LostinVA]

52. The hypocrisy of some on this board is astounding

[harun]

57. I am anti-dynasty for president but they are not as negative when it

comes to congressional seats.

[BooScout]

58. Ain't it though?

And yet some how..........I am not surprised.

[LostinVA]

61. Nope

[Mark D.]

60. Screw Hypocrisy

I am just flabbergasted at the many who deplore this possible continuation of a 'dynasty'. If Nazis still active in the world didn't bring down JFK Jr's plane, he'd be the one we'd be celebrating as on his way to being president, Obama maybe as his VP.

The right people in office matter more than anything else. No political family did more to fight the Nazis, both in WWII and after (from the Bush's to Rove/Rumsfeld). No family did more to make many in the middle class who thought poverty was a 'black thing' realize that the hardest hit of that are often white.

No other family backs up their charisma with real, honest good intent. Bill Clinton did some good behind his swagger, but is a little too friendly with Bush Sr. to be seen to me as totally sincere. I don't see Caroline, RFK Jr. or Joe doing that. And to be honest, I'd like to see Joe take John Kerry's seat if he decides to work for Obama, and I'd like to see RFK Jr. run for something or get a high political appointment.

I'd see Caroline winning easily when it's time to run for re-election, and I could see her as VP for the governor of Montana if/when he runs for president in 2016 (Biden will be too old to run then, and we saw how the governor turned out the people at the Democratic convention. He'd be important to help get the idea of Democrats never being rural folks gone for good.

Why do we need the power of the Kennedy family more than ever? PAY ATTENTION FOLKS. The elder son of the Nazi Bush dynasty, Jeb, who many regard as the 'smarter' or 'nicer' or 'better' son, ignorantly (his track record is every bit has horrible as his brother's was before elected, if in different ways).

He's eying running for Senate in 2010, which lets his first term up in 2016 and allows him the all important 'foreign policy' experience and exposure to a larger number of Americans. Having a hispanic wife and half hispanic children helps in the relentless push they have to appease the Latino vote.

Further, he has recently called upon the GOP to be more inclusive in image (ie. pander) to blacks, and he also called for them to form a 'Shadow Government' (why not, they've got a permanent private GOP army in Blackwater).

It may very well be that the Kennedy's can be the only ones to keep a more intelligent and more charismatic (ie. bullshit is important in politics, sadly, given so many sheeple) Bush from regaining the Whitehouse. Beat them back by any means, we see hope for a permanent shift toward progressive politics.

To move away from the power of oil and big pharma. Given the last two, no doubt Mr. Rockefeller and family, and their pals in the the House of Morgan won't be too happy. Obama is not the candidate they wanted in office, and a Kennedy won't be in 2016.

[LostinVA]

62. Both my granddads did more to fight the Nazis, and LBJ did more for civil rights

What an obnoxious post.

And, John-John as President??? HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA Not quite teh smartie his sister is.

[WriteDown]

63. Yep....

We need more families like this (Joseph Kennedy)

The Crash

Kennedy formed alliances with several other Irish-Catholic money men, including Charles E. Mitchell, Michael J. Meehan and Bernard Smith. He helped establish the Libby-Owens-Ford stock pool, an arrangement in which Kennedy and colleagues created a scarcity of Libby-Owens-Ford stock to drive up the value of their own holdings in the stock, using inside information and the public's lack of knowledge. Pool operators would bribe journalists to present information in the most advantageous manner. Attempts to corner stocks were made that would cause the price to go up, and bear raids could cause the price to collapse downward. Kennedy got into a bidding war seeking control of founder John Hertz's company Yellow Cab which is recounted in a book.<2>

Kennedy later claimed he knew the rampant stock speculation of the late 1920s would lead to a crash. It is said that he knew it was time to get out of the market when he received stock tips from a shoe-shine boy.<3>

It has been noted that during the Depression Kennedy vastly increased his financial fortune by investing most of his fortune in real estate. In 1929 Kennedy's fortune was estimated to be $4 million. By 1935, his wealth had increased to $180 million. According to Time Magazine, Kennedy survived the crash “because he possessed a passion for facts, a complete lack of sentiment and a marvelous sense of timing.”<4>

[brentspeak]

67. I've read some lame reasons why Caroline Kennedy shouldn't be appointed Senator

but that one rules them all.

[WriteDown]

69. I was responding to the posters reasoning that her family name

should give her credence as a senator. Shouldn't qualify or disqualify her.

[LostinVA]

75. Joe Kennedy was Pro-Hitler and rabidly anti-Semitic

As was Joe Jr.

[EFerrari]

76. And, how does that follow? In 1962, I was still being taught that the Jews

killed Christ and were damned as was the rest of the kids in my catechism class.

[LostinVA]

80. How does what follow? Joe Kennedy was a Nazi appeaser and rabidly antisemitic

That has nothing to do with the pre-Vatican II views of teh Church. WTF?Why are you defending him on this -- it's the truth. That poster has more than a few mistaken views on Joe Kennedy Sr. and Jr. Joe Sr. was a thug.

[EFerrari]

81. Sorry -- I thought this thread was about a Senate run.

I'm not defending anyone. There were a lot of old white men here and abroad that thought Hitler was their best bet. They were despicable and they still are.

[Stellabella]

93. That doesn't mean his granddaughter is.

Look, the reason Prescott Bush is brought up so much is that his grandson (or great-grandson, I forget which and don't really care) has the same Nazi tendencies, and his ruinous and greedy policies have destroyed this country.

Caroline Kennedy couldn't be more different from her grandfather. That's the point.

[pacalo]

79. From TPM...

Gov. Paterson Should Pick Caroline Kennedy
By M.J. Rosenberg - December 15, 2008, 3:57PM

(...)

As an Obama guy, I've never been impressed with the experience argument. I like brains, character, liberal politics and the ability to attract top staff. Yes, we've only heard of Caroline because of who her parents were. But the same applied to Hillary; she was Bill's wife and that made her First Lady and a credible candidate. Now she is going to be Secretary of State.

There is only one significant difference between Caroline candidacy and Hillary's.

Caroline is a New Yorker who has worked on New York issues her entire adult life (particularly in the area of education). The Kennedy family has been associated with New York since the 1920's. Her uncle was New York's martyred senator. Hillary had no connection to New York whatsoever.

But she represented it well.

As far as the differences between Caroline and the other potential senators from New York. (1) Kennedy was a key Obama supporter when he needed her. He'll return the favor many times and New Yorkers will benefit. (2) She will have no problem raising the money to defeat any Republican.

Read more

[Stellabella]

92. I think she's eminently qualified

She's very well educated, has been very active in public service, and she handles herself with dignity.

I wonder how many people who are screaming 'not qualified' thought Governor Schwarzennegger (or however you spell his stupid name; I don't care) was okay to run one of the largest states (into the ground, as it turns out).