01/02/2009 11:00 am
POV
Caroline Kennedy Gets Reluctant Nod From Big NY Democrat
© AP
In this series, which started in July ‘08, wowOwow follows the political news swirling around Caroline Kennedy since her surprise endorsement of Barack Obama and high-profile placement on his VP selection committee. Now, Caroline is ready to launch a political career of her own. With the Caroline Kennedy Candidacy Watch, we’ll follow all the latest news.
New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver appears to have had a change of heart toward Caroline Kennedy.
Silver, the second-most-powerful Democrat in New York politics after Gov. David Paterson, has — up until now — criticized Kennedy and her qualifications, or lack thereof, to fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat.
Well now, ole’ Shelly appears to have changed his mind.
He told The New York Post that because he thinks "there’s a good possibility" that Paterson will pick Kennedy for the job, he’s warming up to her.
"If she is the appointee of the governor, I will certainly be supportive of her. I will work for her and will work strenuously for her election," Silver said.
That’s a complete about-face from what Silver was saying last week, blasting Kennedy for appearing to be more loyal to New York Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg than to Paterson.
But Silver says he’s reading the writing on the wall, and believes Paterson wants to run for election in 2010 with a strong candidate (i.e., a Kennedy) on the ticket. “Having a well-known woman on the ticket will be helpful,” Silver said.
Ahhhh. So deciding who will fill Hillary’s shoes is going to be all political after all? How about picking the person who is the most qualified, whoever that may be? What a concept …
The Post also says Paterson has no intention of naming a caretaker to the seat – or someone who will just fill it until 2010. He wants someone in there who can win election in 2010 and continue the work. He also thinks it would damage New York’s standing in the Senate.
"I’m actually opposed to that," Paterson said. "It would cause New York to lose seniority, and in the United States Senate, the most effective senators are the ones that have seniority. So, I’m hoping that the person I select wins a primary."
As to reports that his decision is pretty much made, Paterson says not so fast. The governor doesn’t like being told what to do – and having so many people pushing Kennedy on him, and the media assuming it’s a done deal, likely hasn’t helped matters much.
AP says two people close to the governor say Kennedy will be his choice, but Paterson told The New York Times Thursday that the search is still ongoing.
Mr. Paterson offered a cautionary note for those who might try to influence his decision or divine where his preferences lie. "There’s one choice. It’s the one the governor will make. And in the end everybody will understand that," he said. Recalling a statement by Bill Klem, the legendary baseball umpire, the governor added, "It ain’t nothin’ till I calls it. And that’s how I’m telling you. Pass that along to any of these excited people who think they’re going to influence me."
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