First, let me qualify the post. 1) Caroline Kennedy seems like a very good person and smart and all that. 2) I have a lot of admiration for the Kennedy family and their commitment to service, including what she has done with her late father’s presidential library. And 3) I’m not saying she couldn’t become a star in the Senate. No doubt the Kennedys always attract great talent and she would likely do so as well. Her uncle Ted was the President’s little brother when he took his seat and he has become one of the greatest of all time. She could make a real difference there as well.
So what sucks about it? Just the fact that it all seems so damn unfair to all the lesser known but hard working pols (and non-pols) in New York; the men and women who’ve fought their way to where they are, without name or money and may dream of being a Senator, but will have no shot at it. It would be one thing for her to win it in an open contest. She’d have major advantages anyway but it would be a test nonetheless. Now though, if she just get’s appointed, its done, at least on the Democratic side. Of course that is true no matter who get’s appointed, but you do have to question whether she is the best person to be gifted the seat? Maybe its just the problem with allowing Governors to appoint – its never going to be a fair process (see Blagojevich, Rod).
Hillary carpetbagged the seat 8-years ago. While Caroline is definitely a New Yorker, its her name more than anything she has done that has put her in this position. That is life, not just politics. Dynasties have always been a part of American politics. Obama proved it doesn’t always matter. Caroline Kennedy proves it often still does. I think it kind of sucks.
When her first campaign appearance is described as reminiscent of Sarah Palin by the New York Times, you may already have peaked. This is the state that gave us Jeanine Pirro.
Performance will matter. She will face tremendous scrutiny from the New York and national media.
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p>But ultimately, this is one man’s decision – Governor Patterson’s, and she seems a pretty inoffensive choice to make. Unless she makes a complete boob of herself, it could be hard for her to fail in this bid. And no doubt she will have some of the best in the biz advising her, including her uncle and his coterie. Failure will not be acceptable to them. She has got to be the odds on favorite and then some.
…there is always the next election, including (gasp!) an opportunity to challenge her in the Democratic primary. Sure the incumbent, especially one such as Caroline Kennedy, will go in with an advantage, but last I checked people still get to vote.
From Ellen Goodman in today’s Boston Globe:
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p>http://www.boston.com/bostongl…
Franken, the Governator, went before the voters and explained their positions. People had the chance to make a judgment before they reached high elective office.
and Lanugo made a good one. It does suck that…
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p>While Ms. Kennedy was enjoying her millions, and quietly raising her kids, there have been plenty of women and men working in the trenches for both the State of NY and the party. And all that work means nothing when it comes up against a name like “Kennedy.”
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p>I hate this appointment crap, anyway, and it is galling to read reporters call this her “birthright.” Gag me.