Exclusive: Caroline Kennedy Considering Senate Appointment

[kpete]

The Note, 12/05/08: Another Senator Kennedy?

December 05, 2008 8:11 AM

ABC News' Jonathan Karl, filling in for Rick Klein today Reports: The Big Three can’t win for losing and it seems Barney Frank is already fed up with Barack Obama. But first, an exclusive from The Note.

Another Senator Kennedy? The crazy speculation about Hillary Clinton's Senate seat may not be so crazy after all. A Democrat who would know tells ABC News that New York governor David Paterson has talked to Caroline Kennedy about taking the seat, which was once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy. It’s not exactly shocking that Paterson would reach out to one of the most highly respected public figures in New York, but this is: Sources say Kennedy is considering it, and has not ruled out coming to Washington to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate.

A few years ago, the famously private Caroline Kennedy would be the last Kennedy expected to serve in Congress, but of course, she took on a much more high-profile role during the presidential campaign and, if she does it, would be more than New York’s junior Senator; she’d have closer ties to the Obama White House than any of her colleagues, a direct line to the East Wing.

When Robert Kennedy, Jr. took himself out of the running for the seat earlier this week, he told Jonathan Hicks of the New York Times, “Caroline Kennedy would be the perfect choice if she would agree to it.” And one more thing: We hear that President-elect Obama has made it clear that he thinks Caroline Kennedy would be a great choice.

more at:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2008/12/the-note-120508.html

[wyldwolf]

1. NO MORE DYNASTIES IN THE SENATE! ... nah, just kidding. She would be great.

[polichick]

2. She's smart enough and her kids are getting older, maybe it's the right time.

[cali]

3. I'm pretty sure she won't

be the next Senator from NY.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Sweet Caroline!

We need her in the Senate--a powerful voice for women and for Democrats.

[cali]

6. I disagree.

What is so singular about her? Do you mean the there aren't others who could be a powerful voice? There is no way she'd be considered if not for her name. And that's reason enough for me to believe she shouldn't receive said appointment.

[Lex]

12. "Do you mean the there aren't others who could be a powerful voice?"

How the heck do you draw that conclusion from the post?

[AllentownJake]

20. She has been a party activist

for years

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.<2>

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.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Kennedy

Plus she lives in NY and has for almost her entire life...which is different than the current Senator in that seat.

It would be very difficult to beat Caroline in NY in an election and I think she has the experience with her work to be a very effective Senator.

[cali]

21. yes. I know her bio quite well. I like and admire her.

She still wouldn't be considered but for her lineage. And that troubles me.

[AllentownJake]

25. Either would have Bobby or Teddy

We are going to have a mix in our country of people who have a great lineage and self made people that serve in high office.

Caroline took the opportunities that have been given to her and educated herself and to gave back to others. She's lived a life of service to something bigger than herself and been succesful. That is why I don't have a problem with it.

If she ran in a primary...she'd probably win.

I don't think someone should get a job because of who their dad was, but they shouldn't automatically lose it either.

She was on the VP vetting team...she's kind of a well respected person and not a light weight in the party.

[No Elephants]

52. Saying it does not make it so. People have said the same about Hillary--that, but for

Bill, she would not have had a single job. Saying it does not make it so.

[lumberjack_jeff]

37. I've been a big supporter ever since reading "In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights In Action "

She'd be an excellent senator.

[No Elephants]

50. She is a very intelligent, accomplished woman. If you say that about her, you have to say it about

Hillary as well.

[saltpoint]

5. Don't know if the Kennedy woman would want the job but the

Kennedy woman would be a breath-taking, boat-lifting choice.

I've long felt Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg to be a luminous and rare soul.

Having her in the 111th Congress would bring considrable pressure to bear on many others there to behave themselves far better than they often do.

[hisownpetard]

7. "...a luminous and rare soul." Well put - and I agree!

:hi:

[saltpoint]

8. Hey there you good mind, you.

Happy December.

Don't be a stranger. Post often. Lots of us like what you tippy-tap onto these screens.

It's hard to say what Gov. Paterson will do with this appointment. I'll take what comes, but what a lift it would be for the CKS to fill the seat her uncle held one time not so long ago.

:hi:

[hisownpetard]

23. How nice!! I have been kind of quiet lately - just taking a deep breath and pinching

myself since the election. Reading but not writing.

So thanks for the kind comment, OC.


:headbang: :yourock:

[Coexist]

17. what hisownpetard said.

:thumbsup:

[Coexist]

26. Who is Caroline Kennedy?

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/FLDem5/187

[saltpoint]

28. Hey there!

:hi:

[Coexist]

30. Hi!

Long time, no type... I miss reading your sane voice in this board. I get so disgusted lately at what is at the top of the rec list and on the front page, I hardly post anymore.

Nice to see you are still doing great things here, though.



:toast:

[saltpoint]

31. That goes double right back atcha.

We'll get through the muddle and in January, no more Dubya and Cheney! Hot dog!

[Trajan]

9. Caroline is a wonderful choice ....

She has worked hard behind the scenes for Democrats for many years ....

She has been so unassuming, that many DUers poopoo her without cause, as described in a couple of posts above this one ...

[asjr]

14. And her mother raised her well.

[Saturday]

10. The only reason she is considered is because of her name....

not a good enough reason IMO. I too am tired of only certain names allowed in our government. Bush, Clinton, Kennedy etc

[Trajan]

13. If you know of any specific negative attribute about her ....

Then by all means; tell us ....

What is it specifically that makes her the wrong choice ? ...

What do you know about her ... OTHER than her name ?

Yeah ... Thats what I thought ...

Tell you what: I would prefer if we did NOT select candidates based on whether you like their name or not ....

I would prefer that they actually be selected based on their merit and suitability for the job ....

[saltpoint]

15. Trajan, yes, you mention 'merit' and that is a word that rings

loud and long with CKS.

I've followed her for some many years and your assertion that she is dedicated behind the scenes to a world of good causes is right on.

I hope Governor Paterson will consider her very, very seriously for this appointment.

[Lex]

16. She's just as qualified, if not more so, than 3/4's of the ding-dongs

up there in the Senate right now anyway.

[saltpoint]

18. Hi, Lex. For what it's worth, I'm REAL comfortable with your referring to

some members of th current Senate as "ding-dongs."

If anything, you're being damned charitable!


:thumbsup: :hi:

[brianna69]

44. Perfectly stated Lex. I really hope this happens.

[No Elephants]

53. Her name is not the only reason she's being considered. That is made up stuff.

[blueclown]

11. And then she will run for president in 2016 and beat Caribou Barbie. n/t

[Armstead]

19. looks good to me

[onenote]

22. I wouldn't have expected her to want this, but the timing makes it a possibility

If she's thinking about doing it, I wonder if part of her motivation is that Ted's time in the Senate is drawing to a close and after he leaves office, there would be no Kennedy in the Senate for the first time in over 55 years.

[Jennicut]

24. I love her, she has a lot of class and is a very intelligent woman

[H2O Man]

27. She would be

a great choice.

Nominated.

[burythehatchet]

29. .

[ronnykmarshall]

32. Coolness!

I hope David picks her!

[gauguin57]

33. I love this for the Freeper head-explosion quotient.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2143421/posts

Here's one of my faves ...

"A new poster girl for Upstate statehood. Works for me."

so, Freepers want upstate New York to ... secede? Declare itself a separate state from New York City? Better get Todd the Secessionist Palin on the case!

[AllentownJake]

47. My favorite is

"Another Carpet Bagger"

Caroline's lived her entire adult life in Manhattan :rofl:

[AllentownJake]

48. Oh goodness another Gem

Hey, Chuckie Schumer ought to be delighted with this turn of events, it means that he gets to be the senior Senator from the Empire State again! ;)

Chuck Schumer is the senior senator from NY :rofl:

[No Elephants]

54. No one I know accuses Freepers of being well-informed, but that is a jaw dropper.

[FrenchieCat]

34. I would be down with that!

There are many who via legacy end up unqualified where they don't belong (Bush), and then there are others that in in spite of their name have contributed to this society while keeping a low profile. I don't believe that Caroline Kennedy has attempted to benefit due to her name or to seek out power just cause she could; that is not her track record. Lord knows its not about the money, as she was drawn from behind her private curtain by a genuine call to patriotism by our new President.

There is nothing that a Kennedy has done that can be seen as a negative for our country. She is well intelligent, hard working (she was on that campaign trail from the day she endorsed Barack), charming and charismatic without trying and truly beloved. Those are the qualities that we need in the senate. If anyone should get anywhere partially due to a legacy, I'd prefer it be someone of Caroline Kennedy's unassuming and humble nature, because it appears that she inherited all of the best Kennedy attributes. No need to deprive our country of such, just because she was born with a famous name. Perhaps we need less born and bred politician and more upstanding citizens who have quietly devoted the majority of their lives at improving the lives of others.

[Cha]

35. If she wants it then

we New Yorkers would be most fortunate. :fistbump:

I was so happy hearing from her during the Primaries.

[rosesaylavee]

36. That would be wonderful.

K & R

[ananda]

38. CK is a great choice!

Imagine.. the Kennedy legacy alive and well again.

[glitch]

39. Awesome if she wants it. nt

[sellitman]

40. Instant Gravitas!

Respect from day one.

Not many other choices left could rival it.

Sign me up.

[political_Dem]

41. I hope she does take it.

It would mean so much for her to be Senator of New York. I think that she can do a lot of good. Plus, if Ms. Kennedy-Schlossberg accepts, would bring a lot of prestige, renown and respect back to the American government after eight, long disastrous years.

[brianna69]

42. She would be a perfect choice.

I hope Patterson chooses her and I hope she accepts.

[bdamomma]

43. I wonder what Uncle Teddy 's advice will be to her?

it may be kind of interesting two different generations.

[rvablue]

45. I think this would be a very good choice. n/t

[ailsagirl]

46. her parents would be very proud

[rvablue]

49. .........

:cry: :hi:

[pecwae]

51. What happened to dynastic hatred?

[No Elephants]

55. Her father died over 40 years ago. She's done an awful lot since then. This would be her getting

something on her own merits, because she deserves it, not bc her father was President in the early 1960's.

[AllentownJake]

56. Caroline Kennedy

Has taken the advantages she's had in life and used them to help advance others.

[Liberalboy]

57. How fitting...

Everyone always assumed it would be JFK Jr., or RFK Jr. to carry the mantle, the name and the heart of the family, and in the party. How fitting that it's Caroline instead; her Dad would be very proud of all she has accomplished in her life