Caroline Kennedy interested in Hillary Clinton's Senate seat
By Nicole Belle Friday Dec 05, 2008 7:00pm
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.
The governor has said he is in no rush to make a decision, and Clinton is not giving up the seat before she is confirmed as President-elect Barack Obama's secretary of state.
"The governor has not yet reached out to any potential candidates," said Paterson's spokesman, Errol Cockfield. "He has been approached by several candidates. Any discussions related to that selection are private and the governor will not comment about speculation before a decision is made."
Word of the conversation comes days after Kennedy's cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced he was not interested in the job — a move that sidesteps any messy interfamily competition.Whoever Paterson appoints would serve for two years and then have to run in a special election in 2010, along with Paterson and New York's senior senator, Charles Schumer. The candidate would then have to run again in 2012.
Washington legacies just keep going and going and going...
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She's fair, classy, experienced in the world of politics, and is extremely intelligent. She'd make a great senator. I say, "Go for it, Caroline!"
She's fair, classy, experienced in the world of politics, and is extremely intelligent
Exactly how is she experienced in the world of politics? Yes she had relatives that were great politicians when she was a child... but what are her credentials?
Didnt she say she supported Barack Obama because her children wanted her to?
I think I would rather have someone that is qualified instead of someone that had the right relatives. Didnt we learn anything from the Bush family?
This is from Wiki. Not the best source of info. This does not include what she has learned over the years from sitting around the table with other politicians. Both in and out of her family.
Kennedy is an attorney, editor, writer and member of the New York and Washington, D.C. bars. She is one of the founders of the Profiles in Courage Award, given annually to a person who exemplifies the type of courage examined in her father's Pulitzer Prize-winning book of the same name. The award is generally given to elected officials who, acting in accord with their conscience, risk their careers by pursuing a larger vision of the national, state or local interest in opposition to popular opinion or powerful pressures from their constituents. In May 2002, she presented an unprecedented Profiles in Courage Award to representatives of the NYPD, the New York City Fire Department, and the military as representatives of all of the people who acted to save the lives of others during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.[4]
Kennedy is currently President of the Kennedy Library Foundation,[3] a director of both the Commission on Presidential Debates and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and Honorary Chairman of the American Ballet Theatre. She is also an adviser to the Harvard Institute of Politics, a living memorial to her father.
Kennedy has represented her family at the funeral services of former Presidents Ronald Reagan in 2004 and Gerald Ford in 2007, and at the funeral service of former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson in 2007. She also represented her family at the dedication of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park in Little Rock, Arkansas in November 2004.
It was reported on December 5, 2008 that New York Governor David Paterson has discussed with Kennedy the possibility of her filling the Senate seat currently occupied by Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton.[5]
Kennedy and Ellen Alderman have written two books together on civil liberties:
* In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights In Action (1990) and
* The Right to Privacy (1995)
On her own, she has edited these New York Times best-selling volumes:
* A Patriot’s Handbook
* The Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
* A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children
* Profiles in Courage for Our Time
she has the best of the Kennedys; and because she's a woman, she doesn't allow her member to make decisions for her. I live in a glass house or at least i usee to, so i better stop throwing stones.
Not only do you make the excellent and valid point that CK won't be thinking and reacting with both hands in her pants -- this would be replacing a woman senator with another woman senator -- completely appropriate and very important. An awesome choice in its own right.
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The First Female President of the United States of America.
right after approving the idea of her as senator...
I'd vote for her - in a heartbeat.
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I have read information indicating that the death of Caroline's brother, John, in a fatal plane crash, was an assassination of the highest magnitude. Apparently, he was planning to reveal details about his father's murderers in his magazine, "George". I think had he lived, John, Jr. would have been our president elect today. And I do marvel at the wisdom of a Democratic party that chose a very exceptional Barack Obama to take his place. For sure, they knew, without a doubt, that they would not put a Democrat in the White House with Hillary Clinton on the ticket. Yes, I really can envision Caroline Kennedy as the first Female President of the United States.
But John John wasn't the brightest of lads. I don't know how the POTUS thing would have worked out for him.
Although, that said...there is Bush, and I am sure that John Jr. was quite a bit smarter than our current POTUS.
Has got to put a damper on Sarah Palin's plans.
Caroline could talk rings around the woman - hell she could crater the woman in one speech - as in a nuclear blast. But - and thankfully - Palin could not have been the senator of NY. (vomit...)
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A strawberry Marshmallow Peep could talk rings around Sarah Palin, but unfortunately the Marshmallow Peeps positions on gun control are too liberal to ever get the VP nomination from the GOP base. So, they're stuck with her, I guess.
No, please no. The state of New York has 19 million residents. Can't they find a Senator who isn't from a privileged political family? The skills we need in our leaders are not hereditary.
Don't let your hatred for everything Kennedy affect your common sense. She's been in leadership positions most of her adult life, and has proven herself. The Kennedy's have always been for the common people, in spite of their wealthy status. She'll be great.
I don't hate the Kennedys at all; I despise dynasties. For the 2000 election the Republicans scoured a country of nearly 300 million people and came up with the addled, semi-literate son of the last Republican president. We can do better than the Republicans.
Caroline Kennedy is a nice, smart, thoughtful person but she hasn't even been elected Dog Catcher. We can do better.
are you?
are you aware that this family has spent 2 generations trying to get the stench of grandpa joe off their hands...its why they fight for the common man
the bush clan has wrapped themselves in everything that nazi lover prescott did
if you cant see the difference...and if you cant see the importance of the kennedy family when it comes to dems and this country...i feel sorry for you
maybe you should make an effort to meet caroline or bobby jr...you might change your mind
... I would NOT mind giving this woman a chance to shore up the political legacy of her father, her Uncle Bobby, and her brother.
Her father wasn't even allowed to finish one term before those who disagreed with him - killed him - and Robert and John Jr. never had the chance.
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Regarding the Bush Family history vs. the Kennedy Clan -- it's a crime to even mention the two in the same breath.
Dynasty of Death ~~
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Why not give her a chance. She's got all the right attributes to do a fantastic job.
Glenn Greenwald:
We threw the Royal Bastards out in 1776 only to anoint our own latter day aristocracy.
What is wrong with this picture.
but this would be just as good...
we need to keep the kennedy legacy going
The smartest of the bunch. She has been smart enough to avoid the media. And the lime light.
I really don't know that much about her or her private life. I suppose that's the way she intended it.
I see no reason to object to her getting into politics.
I can see why the right would cry foul. She would be too much for them to handle.
I've always believed she did not go into politics because of her mother. And she may NOT have ever considered a political career until recently. Perhaps her brother's death, or Teddy's illness had something to do with her current interest.
And she may not want to run for president. In this country - they kill you if you run for president and your name is Kennedy. Ask anyone in the Bush family - they'll tell you.
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I don't know how old her kids are but I imagine they are at least in their teens. Maybe the way the media fixates on President's children had something to do with it. Maybe Obama inspired her. Maybe her talk with the guv wasn't about herself but someone she wanted to recommend.
I too am sick of the family dynasties running the country, but she is one person I could make an exception. However, I somehow don't see her putting up with the likes of some Republican Senators...or for weak spined demos like Reid. One the other hand, Senate or not, she might take some of the gas out of Pelosi's ballon. Show Pelosi what 'for the people' means.
concerning the 'monarchy' of politics, I've had enough Clintons and Bushes and Kennedy's and even Adamses.
Caroline would make a senator of singular capability and the right would have no way to cry foul on the 'legacy in politics' issue having only just finished promoting the two fiscally myopic Bush's.
I kind of like having a President whose name is nothing like the patrician names of the last couple hundred years.
I'm a decendent of the Plantagenets, Scottish Lairds, French Barons, German Counts, Anglican arch-bishops, Royal Appointee Colonial Governors, Martha Washington, Henry Clay, and William Seward...
...What about our legacy?
Oopsie
I'm a Texan
A Nascar driver has a better chance at the Senate.
I agree, as much as I like the "kennedy legacy", legacy and tradition cannot compete with the hardcore of real knowledge and experience of coming from middle class or less. Fact is, the way our country is becoming so largely divided among class/economics, I believe finding people like who are close enough to be chosen by the political elite will be harder and harder.
are you kidding me?
the middle class are suckers for the elites propaganda.
I heard Kennedy has a history of being reluctant to do anything in the public realm. She likes behind the scenes activities. I find it hard to believe that she is willing to take on a position like this one, which will completely destroy her privacy...unless, of course, the Obama campaign helped convince her that it was worth it....
-Jeremy
{Deleted, Sorry Jeremy. No spamming. SiteMonitor}
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anwy2MPT5RE
Why do we need to 'keep the Kennedy legacy going'? Why do we need to create and perpetuate an hereditary aristocracy?
I have nothing against Caroline Kennedy, and I wish her every success based on her own, individual merits. But I'm so very sick of Washingtonian 'nobility'. I'm sick to the back teeth of the Bushes and the Clintons and, yes, even the Kennedys (including
Austrian bodybuilders who marry into the clan) dominating the political arena. I'm tired of wealth and privilege speaking on my behalf, because I have not the wealth and privilege to speak for myself. If Obama was proof of anything, it is that we do not need 'legacies' in power.
We're a nation of many, many millions of people. Surely we can find enough qualified new blood without having to dip into the same gene pool again... and again... and again... and again... and again...
But what if her heart is in the right place?
What if she wants to do good for America?
Do we just say no? Because of her last name?
This woman has paid more than anyone in American history.
I think she deserves a chance. And I'd be willing to bet she would do a good job.
"This woman has paid more than anyone in American history."
Nonsense. This is the kind of mythology we have to fight.
Name one person who has lost a father and an uncle to assassination ?
Who was in politics.
irrelevant.
she has remained silent about the BS of their assassinations. same as her uncle. they know better than to pursue it.
the people that did it are still alive.
Would be nice. And maybe US history.
But thank you for the history lesson.:)
I'd kinda bet there's a few people who lost a father, if not maybe even a father plus additional relatives, on September 11th, in New York. Doesn't that count as assassination?
And not to belabour the obvious, having a father (or father plus additional relative) murdered by political fanatics does not make one any more, or any less, qualified for public office than, oh say, five years in a Viet Nam POW camp.
I see where your going with this. And that's ok.
9/11 victims and their families. I would think someone in their families would want to get in to politics. They have a real grievance.
Now, POW's. Please don't compare her family to McCains.
JFK actually did save his men under his command.
apples and onions.
Her family's history of being killed by their political enemies does not have any bearing on the debate.
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I was simply raising the point of what she has lost.
Is it a qualification? No, that would be absurd.
But she is in the hearts of many people around the world, not only all of us here in the US.
Many of us here on the left do have an emotional tie with this woman.
Many of us were watching that day in Nov.
Many of us watched her at her fathers funeral.
Many of us were around the same age when all this happened.
So there is an emotional tie with this woman.
Almost like a bond.
I for one am very close in age with her.
When I saw her and her little brother during the funeral, I couldn't help but feel for them.
Wondering how it felt to go through such a dramatic tragedy.
Does any of this qualify her for the job?
No.
But(for me anyway)this does give her a strong public persona on which she can run for office.
I still like the idea of her as Senator.
And would be very happy with her a a Presidential candidate.
She would get my complete support.
Just off hand there is JFK, Jr., and all eleven of RFK's kids. And I wouldn't vote for any of them either.
Millions of Americans have lost fathers, uncles, an brothers to war and grew up with far less privilege than any Kennedy.
If the qualification should be who "paid more than anyone in American history" then I think Max Cleland is way ahead of Caroline. Let's bring him up from Georgia.
And a number of the Kennedy clan are already in politics. As I'm sure you know.
But this woman is different. I think we can all agree on that. She is very different from all the rest of them.
As I said before, I can understand the reluctance.
But she has paid a price.
I think from her life experiences, she has learned alot.
#1 being, not to trust politicians. In particular, the GOP.
Irrelevant? When it comes down to getting votes, it's not irrelevant.
As long as we keep the GOP on the sidelines and keep them irrelevant. It's ok with me.
I know this doesn't mean much, but when it comes down to Sarah Palin or Caroline Kennedy.
That's a no brainer.
to Senator Malia Ann Obama.
She doesn't have to go through the same thing.
hope not.
Is it about dynasty or legacy? How about Public service? What about families who have a generational tradition of serving the US in the various military branches? And will proudly continue that tradition. How is this different? And remember - we are only talking about a Senate seat. Does the fact that she wants to serve really seem so sinister?
What about her father? What about her uncle Bobby? What about Teddy? Do you think they have NOT served their country well? There are almost no senators who have a legacy of caring about and serving the American people that can come even close to that of her Uncle Ted.
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How jocularly singular
A Clinton being the object of a game of grab ass.
Hillary (bless her heart) was a first lady with ambition and she got to the Senate the old fashioned way, she ran for office and campaigned for the job.
Caroline Kennedy is a very dynamic woman, and I'd probably be happy to see her in the Senate, as long as I ignored how she got there. I'm tired of political families being given the Gold Card and getting the job the easy way. Bush's entire life revolved around this central issue, entitlement. 'W' was enough to kill any enthusiasm for anyone "selected" and not elected.
Nonny mouse- "I'm tired of wealth and privilege speaking on my behalf, because I have not the wealth and privilege to speak for myself. If Obama was proof of anything, it is that we do not need 'legacies' in power. "
Well put. Has she ever held elected office? Ever run? So she want's to get in on an appointment and then run as an incumbant in 2 years.
Sure, Hillary ran for the senate her first time out and won, but I'm not too keen on this. I'd rather see Maurice Hinchey get the seat.
Maurice Hinchey is a wonderful choice for that Senate seat. A true blue progressive. Terrific speaker and champion of the little guy.
Fri, 12/05/2008 - 20:29 — Jo
Maurice Hinchey is a wonderful choice for that Senate seat. A true blue progressive.
Maybe he should switch to boxers.
You don't think the Kennedy's have fought for the common man?
My memory must be faulty. Color me surprised...definitely surprised.
MsJoanne, I think you miss the point. Why can't a "common" man (or woman, of course) stand up and represent us, aren't we good enough? We need the rich to do it for us? Obama and Kucinich are prime nationally known examples.
Not that a Kennedy (or rich) is a disqualifier, I realize that they have the opportunity to serve because they don't have to worry about putting the bread on the table.
I don't want Joe the Plumber standing up for me - or anyone I know.
People should be smarter than smart, principled, ethical, compassionate towards others, and have common sense.
Too few of our legislators have all those traits...but the average Joe or Jane Sixpack will usually bring not enough of those traits to make me comfortable in their representing me.
And I think you miss the point by saying just because of what has should immediately disqualify her. I want to know what she believes in and what she will fight for. And I want that fight to be for me...the common (wo)man.
... that the Kennedy's "get it". You can't - and never will - be able to say that about any Bush -a family of thieves, murderers and bank robbers. But the Kennedy's? They get it.
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Let's get NY to dump Shumer and grab both these great options!
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There's some unfinished business from the 1960s.
Caroline Kennedy, of all people, is the right person to get to the bottom of it.
All here should support her.
We should be so fortunate to have her in Congress.
Imagine the good example she will set for so many already there.
Lucky New Yorkers. Good for them if she becomes their Senator.
Caroline is a constitutional scholar, well versed in politics, saavy, extremely intelligent and well respected. She would be a great addition to the Senate.
too and I'm sure Biden's personal and family values had a lot to do with it in addition to him being more than politically qualified.
"Washington legacies just keep going and going and going..."
Yeah, seriously. I already don't like the fact that we allow such wealth to be inherited that we essentially have a landed gentry and noble houses, the last thing I want is for political power to be inherited as well.
On a side note, this is the major reason I was against nominating Hillary Clinton from the get-go. I'll pass on the political dynasties, thank you. Although I guess in this case it would be pretty fitting to pass this seat from one dynasty to another.
I personally don't consider Hillary - a candidate I did not support - as a "dynastic" candidate. She is NOT a Clinton. She only married one. Remember that she was forced to start using the name Clinton ONLY after Bill started running for President. The Reich-wing made a stink about it and she tacked Clinton on after Rodham to shut them up.
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And often overlooked. She used to be Hillary Rodham-Clinton and now is only Hillary Clinton
she ran for senate based on the strength of familial connections. the person she married later became a governor and then the president; her name was known because of her husband, not because of her own efforts. i don't want political power to be inherited, regardless of whether it comes from parents or spouse.
check out this amazing photo of her.
http://www.miamibookfair.com/2007/author_phot...
Her face reveals an understated beauty that results from a projection of intelligence, confidence, and yet modesty.
She is the anti-Palin.
damn, those kennedy genes are damn good
are any of them unatractive?
and I think of Jackie every time I see her.
I find it refreshing that Caroline doesn't rely on tons of make-up, stylists and hairdressers like Sarah Palin does. It's interesting that she is older than Palin (by about 6 years) but she looks a lot younger.
PALIN is the anti-Palin.
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Enough with the nepotism. Congressional and presidential royal bloodlines need to be cut.
I would like to say one more thing.
The GOP will get their act together sooner or later.
And when they do, they will bring out a heavy hitter.
We should be ready with a heavy hitter of our own.
Because we will need one.
This woman stands an excellent chance against any thing the GOP can drudge up.
I'll leave you fine folks with that thought.
Good Night and Be well.
Too late...
Already shitfaced.
Look she's seems like a nive girl and all but she's a LAWYER! As is over half of most elected bodies. Enough with the god damn lawyers. That alone disqualifies her.
Lawyers should not write laws. The common folk, the middle class, Sarah Palin's of the world should draft legislation.
(shaking head)
Look at where having the lawers write the laws has gotten us.
Do you consider all of the "middle class" on a par with Sarah Palin? Are you intentionally insulting me or are you just rude and snarky by nature?
If you think that's rude, you are in for quite the awakening.
Considering that 50 million middle class American's voted for Bush (twice) and McCain, yes, that is exactly what I think.
How about the OTHER 50 million who did not. You may not be qualified to write laws, however I assure you that I (and several million other citizens who are not lawers) are.
I hope to see your ads on the teevee when you throw your hat into the ring.
I, too, could write laws. But of those 50 million, how many would I want to represent me? Not too many.
I am not saying all or none...I am saying that you are dismissing her for a totally dumbass reason.
Oh, sorry...that was rude.
I'll pick from the "not too many" Enough of the lawyers. Also read the rest of the comments above. She does not have a public record on much. And there is that dynasty thing. No thanks, I'll pass on this Kennedy.
If she has good qualifications hooray, go for it. If she's just another pretty face no thanks.
Being a lawyer should not disqualify her. We shouldn't think of lawyers in black and white terms. That makes us conservative thinkers. Just like any other group - there are good ones and bad ones and smart ones and not so smart ones... blah blah blah.
Odds are Caroline Kennedy is a smart cookie. That would put her ahead of Palin and Bush. Prety low bar, eh?
Again I say - she is darned cute!
Right. Caroline Kennedy is a stunning choice.
Those of you hyper-ventilating over the idea of "dynasty" - please look into her credentials and the family history. THEN make up your mind.
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Obama doesn't have much experience and he is an excellent choice. You shouldn't judge someone by there age, you should judge them by their looks.
I agree, if we were to say that all lawyers were bad--we would be just as bad as all the repugs.
Lincoln was a lawyer, and Obama is part Lincoln.
With your sarcasm. Sarah P and Joe the Plumber writing law? Bad idea.
I thought I heard earlier that Bill Clinton would be taking Hillary's senate seat.
You won't get an argument from me. I can't imagine a better choice. What a classy and intelligent woman. She'd be splendid and a real credit to the state.
I hope we can get someone half as good here in Illinois and that Blagojevich doesn't blow it - entirely possible considering his shady ways.
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Blago doing anything right. He tends to be a, shall we say, wee bit self-serving.
... this is true. And a bit scary. Obama has left big shoes - I only hope RB keeps that in mind.
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Now you're looking at the first woman president!
Now there is a woman I would follow anywhere. She doesn't drop her g's and she's a kennedy too. There does, however, seem to be a curse on the kennedy house. This could change as soon as Jupiter comes out of the 15th cycle of retrograde though. The numerology around her also seems good.
One tasty dish all around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMTgiFedLpE
i remember her as a child and i see the face of her father in her face. i find her mesmerizing. but it is true, the senate isn't the house of lords.
Judicial Watch Announces Hillary Clinton Constitutionally Ineligible to Serve as Secretary of State!
Ineligibility Clause of Constitution Prohibits Clinton Appointment
http://www.judicialwatch.org/news/2008/dec/ju...
Hillary might have to stay just where she is!
to reduce the salary so that she can accept the job. I think it's something like a $10k difference. If the vote goes through to reduce the salary of the SoS, she can take the job. I think this is why she hasn't resigned her senate seat yet.
After the American Idol fiasco gave the world Bush, Americans are still enthralled with YET another celebrity, rather than someone who may be able to do the job based on merit. But I'm sure no middle class, or heaven forbid, lower class person would ever be as qualified to be a politician as someone from a rich family that has worked in the real world how much? Surprised that the "change" crowd is so supportive of engaging in the same old, same old.
You can focus on getting a Democrat to run your country.
With the last election in Canada the Conservative Harper won with
5,208,796 votes. With the Liberal getting only 3,633,385 votes.
Seems to me you have work to do.
The New Democratic Party got 2,515,561 votes.
I can see all those different parties are working out well for you.
And my previous election has nothing to do with my posts point. But since you mention it, the reason the last 4 elections in Canada have been so close, is because none of the leaders are worth voting for. That still doesn't change the fact that most high profile and loved US politicians come from noble families that cling to politics because in the real world they would have to actually work.
No, but you did say " (same old, same old.)"
Hardly, Concerned.
It's ok, I understand you think we're all dumbass's.
But before you start throwing stones, you might want to move out of that glass house you're in. I still think she would make a good Senator. And as someone suggested, a justice on the Supreme Court would be even better.
Tell me, Hows the weather up there?
That anyone who thinks that she should be disqualified simply because her last name was Kennedy is committing discrimination.
Doesn't that mean she's Irish?
"No Irish need apply."
Your average businessman thinks he can write a better business contract than your average business lawyer. And then if an issue comes out your average judge and jury throws out the contract as being unenforceable due to "lack of consideration."
Although I've been saying for years she should be on the Supreme Court. She's a Constitutional lawyer & would be a great SC Justice.
NO CHIT Senate SEAT for Caroline Kennedy by a Gov. eager to Please Obama!
http://www.femisex.com/content/no-chit-senate...
This story link about (by Femisex.com) nails it. Rep.Carolyn Maloney is the right person, the experienced person for Clinton's seat. A political pay-back seat is NOT change I can believe it. Maloney is very close to Clinton in thought and deed!
Frank Rich's column in today's NY Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/opinion/07rich.html) makes some interesting observations of JFK's "best and the brightest", but this quote from Sam Rayburn is apropos Caroline Kennedy:
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