Paterson: Kennedy's Lack of Experience a 'Minus'

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.

If Caroline Kennedy were getting graded on her political experience, she would get "a minus." That, New York Gov. David Paterson thinks, could hinder her bid to take Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat.

Paterson – the man who will pick Clinton’s replacement – thinks her lack of legislative experience is working against her, according to the New York Post, but he also said she "obviously does have a tremendous relationship with [President-elect Barack Obama and] that’s certainly a plus."

Hmmm, but should being on Obama’s good side be a qualification for U.S. senator? We don’t really think so. How about picking the person most qualified and best for New York, rather than the person who may help you the most in your 2010 election?

Many have said that Paterson’s already set on Kennedy, but the governor’s still downplaying suggestions. And, to make his point, he asked six candidates to fill out a 28-page questionnaire, asking about everything from criminal records, to tax problems, to their kids’ Facebook pages.

Paterson told The Buffalo News, "The notion that I have to take Caroline is not coming from me." "Gossip" has become a "greater force right now than my decision," he added, and said the media have become too consumed with her. 

"Why do you all pay so much attention to her? She’s just another person. So what? Her name is Kennedy. Why do you pay so much attention to her? I’m not reacting to what I think, I’m reacting to what I see," he said. "To the media it’s Caroline and the others. To me, there are 10 to 15 good candidates." Sarah Palin, we’re sure, would agree.

Regardless of where Paterson himself stands, Kennedy’s bid has reignited the so-called "mommy wars" and debate among women re-entering the workforce. Although Kennedy isn’t exactly the average every-mom, many women identify with her.

From AP:

Kennedy’s bid for the Senate has reignited the "mommy wars" between mothers with careers and those who take a break from paid employment. Like Kennedy, many women face resentment when they return to the workforce after raising kids and doing volunteer work. "She’s a Kennedy, but she’s a lot like us," was the headline of a December 28 column by Anne Glusker in The Washington Post. "If you strip away the glamour, the name and the money, then Caroline is … me. And many of my friends."

If nothing else comes out of this, hopefully the Kennedy drama will inspire women to follow their dreams. And isn’t that what democracy’s all about?