Caroline Kennedy Candidacy Watch | 12/15/2008 1:55 pm

Hello, Caroline! Kennedy Is Calling Politicians Expressing Her Interest in Hillary's Seat

By The Staff at wowOwow.com

Caroline Kennedy behind an image
of late father President John F. Kennedy
© AP

Leading politicians may expect a phone call from Caroline Kennedy expressing her interest in Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat.

The New York Times reports:

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of an American political dynasty, has decided she will pursue the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a person told of her decision said Monday.

The decision came after a series of deeply personal and political conversations, in which Ms. Kennedy, whom friends describe as unflashy but determined, wrestled with whether to give up what has been a lifetime of avoiding the spotlight. Ms. Kennedy will ask that Gov. David A. Paterson consider her for the appointment. The governor was traveling to Utica today and could not immediately be reached for comment. If appointed, Ms. Kennedy would fill the seat once held by her uncle, the late Robert F. Kennedy. Ms. Kennedy has been making calls this morning to alert political figures to her interest.

The New York Daily News reports of one phone call:

In an indication of her growing interest in replacing Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate, Caroline Kennedy has reached out to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to talk about the seat. Kennedy called the powerful Democrat Tuesday or Wednesday last week, a source said. Silver was out of town and has yet to return the call, the source said, but the two will likely speak today. Silver is said to be cool to the idea of Kennedy replacing Clinton, who is resigning to become President-elect Barack Obama’s secretary of state.

Do the Clintons want Caroline Kennedy to replace Hillary in the Senate? Will Kennedy’s phone calls work? Will she be named senator? Tell us what you think.

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

I can’t imagine why Hillary or Bill, for that matter would be oppositional to Caroline, except for the fact that she supported Barack Obama instead of Hillary. I would hope they don’t hold onto something like that, and try to prevent her doing so. Having written that, I believe Caroline is just too passive to be a member of congress. It seems to me it takes someone who is willing to strongly assert themselves. I view Caroline more as a peace maker, and pacifist than a politician.

By Ro H on 12/15/2008 3:52 pm

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Good for Caroline. As long as Patterson doesn’t hand the seat to her as if on a silver platter, AND truly vets all the other candidates, I say more power to her. But it’s important that all parties involved in this appointment follow the books 100% for no future charges of impropriety.

By Belinda Joy on 12/15/2008 3:58 pm

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I suspected Caroline Kennedy would accept the opportunity to fill Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat because, if she had not wanted it, she would have been forthright in denouncing the rumors of Paterson’s offer when it first surfaced. Still, I’m somewhat ‘surprised’ by Caroline Kennedy’s interest in Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat. I’ve never met her, however I knew her cousin, Mark Shriver. He often spoke about Caroline’s insistence on privacy, however he also spoke about her resolute devotion and professionalism for the many organizations she has been involved in over the years. Perhaps, Caroline Kennedy now feels a need to ‘step into’ politics now that her children are older. Or, perhaps she feels ‘pulled’ by the Kennedy family political tradition. Whatever her reason, I trust her judgment,. I’m sure she has considered every aspect of holding a high profile political appointment. And, I’m confident she will do well. Most of all, I like the dignity and elegance of her persona, and I believe she will bring credibility and integrity to the Senate or any other political office she may seek in the future. If the Clinton’s do not resort to chicanery tactics, I believe Caroline will be successful in gaining the support she needs.

By Maizie James on 12/15/2008 4:31 pm

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I think we are approaching a time in our country when broad powers left to the executive will be curtailed. Should a governor retain the power to make an appointment to fill a vacant senate seat? In Illinois, they are talking about a special election to elect a senator to replace President Elect Obama. Politics, in our country, is becoming a blood-sport. It is best to allow the voters to decide on any issue of such importance. New York should hold a special election and then let the people of New York decide who should represent them in the Senate.

By Bonnie Oliver on 12/15/2008 4:36 pm

Miss Bonnie ——I sooooooo totally agree with you. It is definitely best to allow the voters to decide who will represent them.

By Lady Gator on 12/15/2008 8:08 pm

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Fascinating stuff. I actually like Caroline Kennedy. I bet she saw how lean the political world is in its slice of intelligent thoughtfulness and integrity whilst she was vetting candidates for VP, and then realized that she would be part of the “change” Obama was looking for. And please note that I actually agree with Bonnie Oliver on a political point she made re: holding an election in NY to determine the new Senator. :)

By Amelie Poulain on 12/15/2008 4:51 pm

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I’m still surprised she wants this, but, I would be really happy to see her in that job. Not only do I believe she’s qualified, that she would take it because she believes in public service (not for her own personal gratification), but as far as I know, she is a true Democrat and we need as many of those as we can get in Congress.

By DeBúrca obj on 12/15/2008 5:36 pm

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Boy, I got that one wrong, huh. If this happens, I will admit before all the world that I never thought she would do it…

By Diana T on 12/15/2008 9:28 pm

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I didn’t think she would be interested either. There definitely IS a logic in it… if she has been interested in the Senate before but with her reserved personality didn’t feel up to a campaign, this would definitely give her the opportunity to win over the hearts of her constituents before the next election and then give her an edge in an election to make up for any deficiency in her ability to campaign. But I didn’t really think she would want to jump into a spot which others may have thought they were more in line for. I still think she must really think she has a lot to contribute because I don’t think she would stick her neck out just for personal ambition.

By DeBúrca obj on 12/15/2008 9:43 pm

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I told you all this would happen. It’s a carefully orchestrated coup against the Clintons. Hillary showed poor judgment in going for the bait. Obama will dismiss her.

By Buh- Bye on 12/15/2008 8:46 pm

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Holy cow. Now that’s palace intrigue. Which leads to a really interesting question: what would Hillary do if she didn’t have a senate seat nor a Cabinet position and wanted to be presidential candidate? No reason she can’t run…right?

By Veronica Mercer on 12/16/2008 12:12 am

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I, too, agree with Bonnie Oliver. Special elections would be the best idea. At the same time, I think many of us who lived through the “assasination years” would feel a certain amount of resolution in the appointment of Caroline Kennedy to a seat in the U.S. Senate. Her approach may be uniquely dignified, but that doesn’t mean she’d be ineffective.

By Ms. Dee on 12/15/2008 9:42 pm