Will RFK Jr. Soon Reclaim His Father's Senate Seat?

[RFKJrNews]

BORN TO RUN?

The New York Post reports that Bobby Kennedy Jr. is seriously considering his first-ever run for public office -- and that he's got his eye trained on the Senate seat formerly held by his father.

Of course, there is that little matter of if and when the current occupant decides to vacate, either by election to the presidency or by choice at the end of her term.

According to the Post, it's not a matter of if but when. The article says "Kennedy is convinced that if Clinton doesn't win the presidency, she'll quit the Senate when her term expires and join the private sector."

The Page Six blurb also asserts that RFK Jr. is now an environmental advisor to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

While this report remains unconfirmed, it is true that Kennedy visited Moscow late last year at the invitation of the Russian government to consult on the nation's environmental cleanup efforts.

PASS THE SALT

Now, before you get too excited about the notion of RFK Jr. reclaiming the Senate seat held by his late father from 1964-68, stop to consider the source of this information.

The gossip column is apparently taking New York restauranteur Nello Balan's word as gospel, an error few responsible journalists would make.

Balan - who claims to be a direct descendant of Vlad the Impaler - is known around town as a rather notorious publicity hound and a bonafide eccentric by any standard. The quick-tempered owner of Madison Avenue's celebrity magnet Nello's is frequently featured on Page Six, usually in reference to his latest scuffle with local club bouncers or for threatening legal action against a certain leggy supermodel who broke his prized umbrella. So you might want to ask the waiter for a few extra grains of salt on this one.

The New York Post, while always an entertaining read, can hardly be considered the most reliable of sources. Among the rag's more recent whoppers was the report that Ted Sorensen "wrote" the famous 1961 "Ask Not" inaugural address for President John F. Kennedy. (Had anyone at the Post bothered to contact Mr. Sorensen, he would have set the authorship question straight in short order.)

The Post, in their mad rush to publish this latest "scoop" apparently did not manage to reach Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for comment, either. He's generally not difficult to get ahold of, although at present he is enjoying the ski slopes of Aspen with his family and has certainly earned the right to a bit of peace and quiet over the holidays.

But perhaps the most tickling irony of all is the way Rupert Murdoch's Post breathlessly reported this story as if they had an exclusive on the Second Coming. It's hardly breaking news. Anyone who has been following our blog, DU, or heard one of Kennedy's speeches over the past year already knows that Bobby is making no secret of the fact that he is "interested" in Hillary's Senate seat. And for reasons that are likely deeply personal as well as political.

So until we get this news straight from the horse's mouth, we shall remain hopeful but skeptical. For now, best to chalk this one up to another enticing rumor from the mill.



Full story/links/photos at http://RFKin2008.com

[book_worm]

1. Hopefully not

I don't want Hillary to be our nominee.

[RFKJrNews]

2. Even if Hillary doesn't get the nomination...

the Post article reports that Kennedy "is convinced" she will retire at the end of her current term and return to the private sector...although I'll believe *that* when I see it!

[SharonRB]

4. I don't think she'd go to the private sector,

but, as noted in my post below, perhaps she'd get a cabinet post.

[SharonRB]

3. Neither do I,

but there are other scenarios. If she doesn't get the nomination, which I hope is the case, maybe she'd be offered and accept a cabinet post, which would also free it up for RFK, Jr. I'd love to see him in the senate.

[RFKJrNews]

5. Hmmm....fascinating idea

a cabinet post for Hillary. But would she accept? Wouldn't that be quite a step down for a former first lady?

Although I could certainly envision her accepting the VP slot if she doesn't get the nomination.