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. 

For better or for worse, Caroline Kennedy’s no longer a runner in the New York Senate race.

"I informed Gov. Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate," Kennedy wrote in a statement released just after midnight Thursday. The official announcement came after hours of rumor and confusion for aides to Paterson, who must appoint a senator to fill new Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s seat.

There’s no definitive reason for why Kennedy dropped her bid, but many speculate it has to do with her Uncle Ted Kennedy, a long-serving senator who’s battling brain cancer and suffered a seizure at an Inaugural lunch this week. "I think she was very affected by what happened to Teddy during the Inauguration," her cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., told MSNBC Thursday morning. "I would have liked to see her senator. She would have been a great senator … There was strong support within the family … I think everybody is disappointed."

But, as happens in politics, stories abound over the "real" reasons. Rumor has it that she may have suspected Gov. David Paterson had cast his eye elsewhere — despite many reports saying otherwise. The New York Post says several sources said the governor was unimpressed with how Kennedy handled media interviews and private meetings with various officials. Paterson reportedly has been asking state lawmakers who would replace Attorney General Andrew Cuomo if he were picked for the Senate spot. Several House Democratic sources indicated to CQ Politics that Cuomo is now the front-runner. Reps. Kirsten Gillibrand, Carolyn Maloney, Steve Israel and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown are also options, along with others. We’re hearing from some upstate New York sources that Gillibrand is a very strong — yet quiet — contender. Maloney, who was just named chairwoman of the House and Senate Joint Economic Committee by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, took the chance again to tout her qualifications.

"The economy is job No. 1, and my experience gives me the background, knowledge and opportunity to represent my state as no one else could when the stimulus package is crafted," Maloney said.

Our own wOw intuitive, Peggy Rometo, recently predicted that Kennedy would not take over Clinton’s seat:

I almost feel like she’s looking for a way to save face by most respectfully declining, and I feel the only way that could be done is by having something that’s equivalent or better or more suited offered to her. It could be through the Obama administration, something like an ambassadorship. Something where she’s not so much in the public eye on a daily basis.

Intuitive, indeed! We know Caroline can do a lot of good. But where she does it now remains a question. Perhaps she’ll relocate to her family’s historic headquarters: Massachusetts?