Caroline Kennedy Candidacy Watch | 12/16/2008 5:10 am

Caroline Kennedy: 'I Want to Be Senator'

JFK’s daughter reaches out to Gov. Paterson for Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat

By Deborah Barrow, Editor-in-Chief

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. Could Caroline be ready to launch a political career of her own? With The Caroline Kennedy Candidacy Watch, we’ll follow all the latest news.

Caroline Kennedy wants it. She spent yesterday phoning New York’s top politicos all over the state, including Gov. David Paterson, claiming, according to The New York Times, that she was ready to earn the seat.

The decision is at the sole discretion of the New York governor. Among the many factors in her favor is her ability to raise the funds needed to keep the seat for the Democrats in the 2010 election. For the governor, he would gain a connection to the Kennedy cachet in that same election, which would be his first run for governor, having assumed the position when Eliot Spitzer stepped down from the seat amid a sex scandal. Another factor in her favor is her direct line to the Obama White House. Kennedy was a key Obama supporter and co-chaired his committee to find the vice-presidential candidate.

According to news reports, the Kennedy Clan is overwhelming in its support of Caroline assuming the New York Senate seat. Her uncle, Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, is fighting a deadly brain cancer. If he would become incapacitated, it would be the first time in more than 50 years that a Kennedy did not have a seat in the upper chamber.

Unless Caroline was there.

See more in the Caroline Kennedy Candidacy Watch:

Caroline Kennedy Works to Convince NY She’s Right For Clinton’s Senate Seat

Clintons Moving to Block Caroline Kennedy From Senate Seat

16 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

But is she will to pay for it? ( okay, okay, I slapped my hand for that one — bad girl, bad girl )

By Andy C on 12/16/2008 6:52 am

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but is she “willing” to pay for it — really have to read these more carefully before posting

By Andy C on 12/16/2008 8:22 am

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I say again, what has she done to deserve it, or earn it besides be born with a name that symbolizes political dynasties on the hoof? What does she bring to the table in terms of skill set, experience, or competence? Wake up America! There is a class evolving in our “classless society” that is VERY dangerous to our freedom. Caroline Kennedy’s desire to become an unelected Senator is every bit as wrong as Ron Blagojovich’s desire to sell President-elect Obama’s seat to the highest bidder. In both of these situations as well as the Biden situation, the correct solution in our democratic republic is a special election by the people. Not a hand off to an old friend, or a well known supporter or an auction. The REAL correct solution would have been for “the people” to insist that these politicians give up their senatorial nests to run for these offices so that their replacements could be ELECTED at the same time.

By CYNTHIA NEIL on 12/16/2008 7:56 am

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Cynthia, Caroline stands on her own efforts. A Columbia U. Law degree., Board of NAACP as legal defense. NYC education department doing an amazing job of keeping the district financially afloat when it was about to sink further. An author of renown. She has worked her entire life to read, think, consider and put her opinions into action. Was she helped by her name and family? yes. Family is important to her and I say “you go girl!”. Thank God she chose to put up with all the paperazi and work for our democracy.

By Dorothy S on 12/16/2008 8:53 am

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Caroline Kennedy doesn’t need the money. She’s not wanting for political influence. And she doesn’t need the ego stroke. This alone qualifies her more for the position of Senator than most of those currently in the Senate. It’s true, Caroline Kennedy has had a public life that most can’t begin to imagine. Yet not once in her public life has she embarrased herself or her family. She is a person of character and integrity. And more than most, she understands the value and responsibility of public service. Caroline Kennedy is smart and articulate and compassionate. She is an attorney, writer, editor and serves on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations. She is a member of the New York and Washington, D.C. bar associations. She is also a member of the board of directors of the Commission on Presidential Debates and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. She has spent the past five years working in the New York City public schools. As director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education, Kennedy helped raise more than $70 million for the city’s public schools, while being paid a $1 salary. How many people currently in politics would do such a thing?

By I.M. Kane on 12/17/2008 5:49 am

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Cynthia, I agree. An open senate seat needs to be filled by a vote of the constituency. I don’t get your “classless society” comment, though. Are you referring to personal taste or economic status? As far as I can see, there’s a wide range of both kinds in American society. Every time I read the words, “Wake up America!” I think of all the GOP e-spam carrying that entreaty before the election. Very condescending, and pretty ironic, under the circumstances.

By Susan B on 12/17/2008 3:08 pm

While I understand your point of view, I still think it is time for the citizenry to take back their responsibility for the members of the legislature. I don’t think it is appropriate for anyone to be handed an office with this kind of power whether their name is Kennedy or Bush. It contains the seeds of in breeding and self containment which is profoundly contrary to the Founders intent.

By CYNTHIA NEIL on 12/16/2008 9:06 am

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I totally agree with you Cynthia. Part of Caroline’s efforts have been to keep her name in the media. She may be qualified, and if so, then run. I too am so disgusted with these appointments and the Kennedy royalty.

By Andy C on 12/16/2008 10:39 am

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Cynthia, You spoke the truth. Thank you for using your freedom of speech.

By T P on 12/16/2008 10:44 am

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Compared with some of the antediluvian knotheads in the Senate she might be a breath of fresh air. I refer of course to the senators from Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky who held up the “band-aid” to the auto industry just to break a union.

By f p on 12/16/2008 10:44 am

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Frank, My thoughts, exactly. Not only will Caroline Kennedy be a ‘breath of fresh air’, but I think she reflects the ‘new breed’ of political upstarts who reflect the mantra of PE Obama’s objectives for change. Regarding the drama being played out as to how or whether to ‘bail out’ the auto industry, I believe we will see a lot more (bastardy) maneuvers, which may result in a ‘bad deal’ where no one wins … least of all, us taxpayers..

By Maizie James on 12/16/2008 11:20 am

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Caroline Kennedy: ‘I Want to Be Senator’ How does it feel to want?

By Marjorie C. on 12/16/2008 11:14 am

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Well stated, Cynthia. I particularly support your suggestion that candidates resign their Congressional positions prior to their campaign, particularly when campaign seasons are running into years rather than months. In addition, I think we need to move away from ‘comparative voting’. Because someone is ‘better’ in light of the shortcomings of other senators does not make them qualified. So often during the election, we heard, ‘Anybody would be better than Bush.’ So glad we didn’t settle. Peace and grace

By beth willis on 12/16/2008 11:16 am

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Well if John Thune from SD can hold a seat , if W can be seated to the potus, ESPECIALLY that, then it seems quite appropriate that the Gov. of NY should appoint Caroline or another citizen of his state. She is a specially noteworthy public figure, but then perhaps Charlie Rangel could plead his case! Or would it surprise anyone if Guilliani cried out for it? Hillary wasn’t even from NY yet she made her run based on her celebrity! Caroline isn’t a fool, and she would continue to advance the priorities which we here could more or less embrace. you know childrens health education and welfare!!! Freedoms which have been threatened of trampled may just gewt another advocate! But, instead we have some need to minmimise the next best thing! Patterson has a decision to make! Perhaps Caroline simplifies the choice for him. I would be happy to see JFK,s progeny afforded something restorative in some measure! There are many voices here that could potentially do a fine job advocating at that level for the rights of WE THE PEOPLE, and if you have the interest, by all means contact Gov. Patterson and step up! Otherwise consider that it’s only 2 years and then she has to prove it! Then again in2012! so there’s plenty of opprtunity for the state and her citizens to mount a campaign against her if that’s what they desire.. but seriously I’m with you Beth PEACE and grace

By immoddesta godessa on 12/16/2008 12:00 pm

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I think Caroline Kennedy fits right in along with President Elect Obama and would add to the hope of this seemingly “new breed” of politican. She is certainly a smart lady who is well informed and has already given much to advance her causes. She has been a resident of NY for many years and always aware of the plights of all its citizens and were members of her family before her. She has as much or more experience than most elected officials. And, we should look at her motives….it can only be public service, not fame or fortune. The events in recent months on Wall Street and in the backrooms of politicans around the country seem to speak to a form of economic and political terrorism that feels uncomfortable and unhealthy for us all and should be addressed. Caroline Kennedy is indeed a breath of fresh air in all these regards.

By Agyness O on 12/16/2008 1:10 pm