2010: Schlossberg v. King

[H2O Man]

Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg versus Peter King: this may be the 2010 Senate race in New York State.

There have been a number of DU threads that featured discussions on peoples’ opinions of Ms. Schlossberg’s qualifications for the Senate. Many people would prefer that someone else be appointed, including some "upstate" and "down-state" members of the House. However, it appears that those involved in the decision-making process believe that Ms. Schlossberg is both qualified, and has a greater chance of carrying both the upstate and down-state New York in the 2010 election contest. I believe that Governor David Patterson has offered her the seat, and that the only question now is if she will accept. Hence, my goal is not to rehash the rather monotonous debates over concerns that a Kennedy may hold political office, but rather to consider the likely 2010 race.

First, let’s consider King. He ran for NYS Attorney General in 1986, and lost by more than a 2 to 1 margin against Robert Abrams. He has also considered running for Senate twice, against both Hillary Clinton (2000) and Chuck Schumer (2004), but opted not to throw his hat into the ring. This was because he understood that the "numbers" indicated that he could not win. Today, however, he believes that the polls show he would have a fair chance of defeating some of the candidates that republicans believed Governor Patterson was seriously considering appointing.

Rep. King is a curious figure. He is known for his role in the Northern Ireland peace talks, where he has been a supporter of Sinn Fein. Also, despite George W. Bush’s victory in the 2000 primary in NY, King continued to support John McCain. These stances made him a somewhat controversial member of his own party.

King is also well-known for his support for the Bush-Cheney "war on terror." In 2007, for example, he told a journalist that there are "too many mosques in this country." He believes in racial profiling by law enforcement agencies within the United States. More, he is a staunch supporter of law enforcement spying on US citizens without warrants.

Ms. Schlossberg holds different views. She co-authored two books on the Bill of Rights, "In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action" (1990) and "The Right to Privacy" (1995). Her family has also been closely involved with the Northern Ireland Peace Process, and has a history of being popular among Irish-Americans.

A possible contest between the two would be interesting. King is by nature an aggressive, often loud-mouthed public speaker. He would risk being viewed in the same manner that Little Ricky Lazio was in 2000, when he invaded Hillary Clinton’s space during their televised debate. Ms. Schlossberg appears to have the Obama-like ability to be seen as above "politics-as-usual," and would benefit from King’s aggression. More, like Senator Clinton in 2006, she would be likely to win the "cross-over" support of republican women.

As a New York State resident, I would be proud to actively support her campaign.

[cali]

1. Just a note- I don't believe she ever took her husband's name

It's my understanding that she retained her family name.

[H2O Man]

2. You are correct.

I had hoped to avoid the anti-Kennedy business.

[onenote]

3. as was the case for many women of her generation

just finishing your thought.

[Captain Hilts]

8. To this day nearly 70% adopt spouse's names. Really. I was shocked to read this. nt

[onenote]

14. if you sorted that out by demographics, I suspect you'd find its not evenly distributed

and that educated (post-graduate degree), affluent, women who came of age during the 70s probably have a higher percentage who kept their own names than the overall average.

[Captain Hilts]

19. Yes, though I know several that did take spouse's names. nt

[onenote]

23. absolutely. My first wife kept hers. My second changed hers.

[Captain Hilts]

27. You can't outguess it. nt

[pnwmom]

4. I see her called both. As in this recent piece from the NYTimes, which refers

to her both as Caroline Kennedy and as Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5haD2uvobabPn3ZeMiXfTC3vMza6AD94SV5E80

"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."

[H2O Man]

5. Thanks.

The important issue, of course, is how she might do in the 2010 election. It's hardly surprising that an attempt to derail the focus of the OP would be posted, though.

[pnwmom]

7. Thank you for your analysis, and I agree with it. She would make a formidable

candidate against the Republican.

It is frustrating when people go off on a side issue. I guess the implication was supposed to be that she's trading on her maiden name? I also checked her listing on Amazon, to see how she was referred to there; there were 7 listings as Kennedy-Schlossberg. (Some were cross listed as Caroline Kennedy)

I can't believe this idea that she's some kind of lightweight. I think most NYers would be happy to have her.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/ref=ntt_athr_dp_sr_2?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&field-author=Caroline%20Kennedy-Schlossberg

[Captain Hilts]

9. The vast majority of NYers will be glad to have her and a huge percentage of Dems...

DU does NOT accurately reflect the views of Democrats overall, let alone the general population.

[rvablue]

16. self delete

[Clio the Leo]

26. Thank you. I was wondering about that. NT

[Captain Hilts]

6. Age, alone, will defeat Peter King. He's too old to be a 'junior' senator.

I like the prospect of CK getting the seat any way she can.

[onenote]

17. He's certainly at the very limit.

At 64, he may not be too old for the seat (he's only two years older than Jim Webb, for example), but I tend to agree. Age is also the reason I think that folks like LOuise Slaughter (who is nearly 80) and Maurice Hinchey (70) aren't viable options.

[Captain Hilts]

20. Age is why Slaughter and Hinchey would be good seat-holders for 1.5 years. nt

[DevonRex]

10. Thank you for this perspective. I'm always suprised some dems here

don't anticipate several moves ahead, like they would in a chess match.

[Captain Hilts]

11. She also can pay for her own campaign and won't suck as much money from

Paterson's fund-raising efforts.

That's one theory I've read trying to figure out what's in Paterson's interest to give her the nod.

[H2O Man]

12. She would seem

to have a greater potential to raise funds for the party than the other possible candidates.

[Captain Hilts]

18. I agree. Folks are trying to think of why Paterson would tick off other demographics and...

give her the nod. I don't think this one is valid.

[DevonRex]

15. Good point. We all have to make choices now about where and when

to donate, and it'll probably still be that way in 2010.

[Cha]

13. We'll have to remember

these discussions when the future comes and we learn what exactly comes to pass.

If all goes according to my plan I'll be voting absentee ballot in the 2010 New York election as I'll be on my way to moving back to the original Obama State after having spent 12 wonderful, learning years here.

[bleever]

21. Peter King: "We'll take care of the counting."

On election day 2004, King confidently proclaimed that Bush had already won. On camera, he said "It's all over but the counting, and we'll take care of the counting."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEgBCkiV4DM

Caroline Kennedy represents a strong contrast to the character and values of someone like a Peter King.

[mod mom]

28. Illegitimate Election 2004 video by DUers opens w Peter King:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WmC4grXdIk

[ClarkUSA]

22. Good read.

You should put it on your blog. :thumbsup:

[grantcart]

24. Thanks for the update

[mmonk]

25. Thanks.

I live in North Carolina but would send money to her campaign in 2010. The arguments against her at DU have consistently been weak.

[babylonsister]

29. Hi, H20 Man, curious here. What do you think

of Cuomo for senator if he actively wanted the seat? Would he be viable up against a Peter King?

[H2O Man]

30. I know that I

would be working just as hard for him, as for any other democratic candidate.

His father remains one of the biggest influences on my understanding of the political process. And I know that he played an important role in his father's campaigns, etc.

Republican smears have done some damage to their family name, but I am confident that he, too, could win in 2010 and 2012.

(Check your e-mail!)

[Me.]

31. I Believe He Was A Big Cheerleader For Giuliani

Which should tell you everything you need to know about Peter King

[H2O Man]

32. They are

close friends, to this day.