Caroline Kennedy Candidacy Watch | 12/05/2008 10:25 am

Caroline Kennedy Talks to Gov. Paterson About Taking Hillary's Seat

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

New York Gov. David Paterson has to decide who will take soon-to-be Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat. Who does Paterson call? None other than … wOw’s gal Caroline Kennedy. ABC News reports that Gov. Paterson talked to Caroline Kennedy about the possible move:

A Democrat who would know tells ABC News that New York Gov. 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.

We see why "Kennedy is considering it." Given Kennedy’s family legacy and their political clout — and all the tragedies she has endured — Caroline has a lot to think about. Is she reluctant to step into Clinton’s shoes? Recently, the famously private Kennedy propelled herself into the public eye as she campaigned for Barack Obama. She handled herself beautifully during these times, and we think she’ll be as great a senator as her uncle Ted.

Click Here for Caroline Kennedy News and Updates.

Whoever Gov. Paterson chooses will have to run in a special election in 2010 to finish out the last two years of Clinton’s term. Kennedy has been a favorite to fill that seat and there have been reports that Kennedy is definitely "in the mix." It helps that Paterson is said to be favoring either a woman or a non-white candidate for the post.

Another dame two women’s groups want to see in Clinton’s senate seat is Rep. Carolyn Maloney.

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

Profound respect is what I think you Marjorie C should have in your brain on this topic. Not your usual………… The problem people like you have with the Kennedy Family is the enormous contribution they have made over the years to the USA. It’s called PUBLIC SERVICE. Dig deep and check it out beyond your “conservative” anti democratic party attitudes. Yes, you got it right MC, thank you for your fab quote, “And the Kennedy name lives on Long live the Kennedy name.” You are so on point. Bravo MC.

By Andromeda Jakes on 12/05/2008 10:43 pm

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Andromeda: Profound respect is what I think you Marjorie C should have in your brain on this topic. My, my, my. I live in Massachusetts, home of the Kennedys. I have voted for Ted every time he ran for all these many years. As far as New York is concerned, I have no vote. If New Yorkers are happy with Gov. Patterson’s decision to possibly appoint Caroline as Senator, and if New Yorkers want to subsequently vote her into the job, it has nothing to do with me. I think she might be riding on the name, but she wouldn’t be the first one. Ted Kennedy’s son, Patrick, is doing exactly that in the state of Rhode Island. Rhode Island is nearing 10% unemployment, the highest in the country. Next door, Massachusetts has about 5% unemployment. Not all Kennedys do wonderful things.

By Marjorie C. on 12/06/2008 7:36 am

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I think she would be a great choice. Her family’s philanthropic dealings, in which she is very involved, more than qualify Caroline. I think we need to realize her education and life experiences are much more on the job training than most of us will ever see. Please explain to me, how is her life experience any less than Hillary’s? Hillary was married to a governor and a president. Caroline’s father was president, uncles as senators, attorney general, congressmen for cousins, governors etc. Hillary did a bang-up job because she learned from her life experiences and used her intelligence. I am sure Caroline will do the same. I think that many people have a perverse idea that the ultra wealthy sit around and allow people to wait on their every whim. Who do you think runs those huge family businesses and philanthropic organizations?

By Lou Hoover on 12/05/2008 11:32 am

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Hillary’s experiences are of a much higher profile and on the firing line as an adult for years prior to her entry into the Senate. Caroline was a child when her father was president and her uncle ran for president. Do you have some more specific data on those “huge family businesses” and who runs them? While philanthropy and politics mingle - equating the power of the two seems more an emotional attachment to the person that a practical one.

By J. Mark on 12/05/2008 11:52 am

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No, I couldn’t pick her out of a line up. But I can do research on the internet. Just a cursory look impressed the heck out of me.

By Lou Hoover on 12/05/2008 12:03 pm

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Lou, I think many of us are redefining what “qualifications” are really important to hold political office. For me, it’s not so much direct experience that’s important as the person’s overall knowledge, leadership abilities and worldliness or breadth of world-view.

By Susan B on 12/05/2008 9:29 pm

Dear Susan..I think you’re on to something here about redefining experience/credentials, etc…. My dad was an educator for a spell, and often told anxious parents that it wasn’t a school’s primary concern to “educate for content”…(granted, every child needs all the basics)…. but to foster curiousity and creativity so that love of learning, etc, was lifelong….This seems especially true now that explosion of internet info makes all of us able to instantly have more than enough “content”….Maybe experience is what one “knows” and credentials are what one has “done”….

By georgia fatwood on 12/08/2008 9:47 am

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I think Caroline could be a very good Senator. She is intelligent, thoughtful, patriotic, respects our rights and our political system, has been raised to consider public service a responsibility and could bring a civil attitude into DC which wouldn’t hurt the Senate to get a dose of. I don’t think she will take it though. She does not seem to be an opportunist and I think she would feel this was a position she had not earned.

By DeBúrca obj on 12/05/2008 11:35 am

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No one earns an appointed post. Hence the “appointed”. If she liked the position and felt she wanted to continue, she would then have to earn or win another term. I get no feel for your age so I don’t know if you recall the 60’s. Her father and uncle were assassinated and to me that earns her a seat at the table to *prove* herself. If it doesn’t work for her or the people of NY….. that is the purpose of elections!

By Lou Hoover on 12/05/2008 11:46 am

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Yes, but she has never run for any office, thus, may feel she hasn’t paid her dues for this one.

By DeBúrca obj on 12/05/2008 12:00 pm

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And, no, you don’t get a Senate seat because your uncle and father were assassinated. And Caroline Kennedy, I could almost guarantee, would agree with me on that.

By DeBúrca obj on 12/05/2008 12:02 pm

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Interesting observation, Lou Hoover. Thank you. I feel a little more comfortable, if she is fact who the good Governor chooses.

By rocky rocky on 12/05/2008 12:57 pm

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What part of appointed don’t you understand? No one will earn this seat. Spend 5 min on google and you will see she is more than qualified. Also, it is a long time American tradition that the death of a family member in a public service or military roll does open doors. Children of Medal of Honor recipients can go to West Point if they choose. Learn your American history.

By Lou Hoover on 12/05/2008 12:09 pm

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Ms. Hoover, you seem flustered. No need. I don’t believe there is any malice in the various points of discussion. It makes no point to tell someone else to learn their history. How about, those who do not learn lessons from history are doomed to repeat their mistakes. American traditions as you describe sound more like nepotism than a functional means of placing the most qualified. What is being said here is that the most qualified person should be named and that such qualifications are those earned. Many here are well aware of Ms. Kennedy’s accomplishments and recognize them - however they do not necessarily mean she is most qualified - much less “more than qualified”. The notions such as woes in the family necessitating she be allowed to prove herself and that Hillary was only married to experience could be contorted into suggesting that Silda Spitzer would do.

By J. Mark on 12/05/2008 1:09 pm

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J. Mark….and I suppose you believe the likes of diaper-wearing/prostitute going David Vittner is qualified? Or that Bush, Supreme Allied Imbecile is qualified? Or that any of his Cronies-In-Crime are qualified? Give me a break. Caroline Kennedy is plenty educated, experienced, and accomplished. I suppose Arnold was qualified to be Gov of the 7th largest economy in the world based on body-building and B-Films…or that Palin is qualified to be VP based on a third rate journalism degree, 2nd place in a beauty contest in a red neck state, and experience poorly running the most regressive least populace most drop out state in the union. Give me a frickin’ break. Caroline take the Senate seat for pete’s sake. We need you.

By Delete This on 12/05/2008 2:06 pm