As Hillary Clinton moves on from the Senate to her new position as Secretary of State, New York Governor David Paterson is looking for someone to fill her Senate seat for two years, ending with a special election in 2010. Among those being considered is Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John Kennedy and niece of longtime Senate fixture Teddy Kennedy of Massachusetts.
Kennedy is an independently wealthy mother of three, author of a handful of bestselling books on politics, literature, and the law. She is a lawyer admitted to the bar in New York and Washington, a former journalist, and a very successful advocate for public education who was largely responsible for raising $65 million in private funds for special programs in the New York public schools. Kennedy has held down a real 9 to 5 job, working in media relations at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and has served on the boards of various charities and foundations. At the age of 51 she is politically active, well educated, and has a wide variety of useful experience. She is also a well known figure in liberal political circles and has been the focus of media attention since she was a small child living in the White House.
Strangely, although Kennedy was a darling of the media as a celebrity for many years, now that she has political aspirations she is coming under a great deal of criticism from fellow liberals and from the left-leaning press. This past Sunday on ABC's This Week, Alison Stewart of NPR discussed Caroline Kennedy's motivations for running for the Senate as described in a previous interview, saying:
She (Caroline Kennedy) describes her motivation "I thought it would be a good time to volunteer for service." She talks about the inspiration. I think the word 'volunteer' is really kind of interesting, that she's putting herself up as somebody who (says) I'm going to give of my time for the Senate, and I thought, you know, that could be a real turn-off.
This typical comment illustrates the bizarre thinking of many of those who are criticizing Kennedy's interest in serving in the Senate. How can it be a "turn-off" that someone with every opportunity to sit back and just enjoy life would choose to sacrifice their time and their money and their hard work to step forward and use their skills and knowledge on behalf of the people by serving in the Senate? What more appealing motivation could there be than a selfless desire to be a spokesperson for the people in the highest house of government? Clearly Kennedy turns off Alison Stewart. She makes the idea of volunteerism sound strangely suspect. But isn't volunteerism supposed to be a good thing? Is she right, or do most people like the idea of someone who isn't a career politician offering themselves for public service?
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Tommy Mack
I am glad that you and brother Bachman have written about the Kennedy for Senate appointment situation. I started to write about it myself but decided not to because it is not near and dear enough. Maybe.
That she did not support Hillary is more important in New York than her supporting the President elect, name, money and age aside. Let me refer you to an excellent op-ed piece by Jonathan Capehart in Tuesday's Washington Post for more.
It seems to me that being a policitican, like being a pick-pocket, begins at an early. At 51 one doesn't just decide to become a "dip." There is an apprenticeship that must be successfully completed.
If there is a list of things that Kennedy can do for the State of New York, being one of its senators is down from the top 5.
Tommy
2 - Hope and Change?
"Um...er...you..know."
3 - Dave Nalle
So Tommy, you'd prefer Senators who are old and experienced and corrupted from years of political dealmaking, fundraising and owe lots to special interests and lobbyists?
As for Hope and Change, Kennedy is more progressive than Hillary Clinton was, so she ought to satisfy those who voted for a rich white woman and those who want to see more political change.
Dave
4 - Baritone
As I noted on ZZs post, I find it difficult to understand why Kennedy has chosen to enter politics.
But I totally agree with Dave on this. She likely has more wherewithall in the political world than anyone else vying for the seat. As Dave notes, there is a significant percentage of the Congressional membership, governors, etc. who are related one way or another to other former or current politicos.
And what qualifications did Arnold bring to the California governor's office? Perhaps his relationship to the Kennedys? Hmmm.
The old saw - It ain't what you know, it's who you know should serve Caroline well. I doubt that there isn't a mover or shaker in Washington politics that she doesn't know. Yet she is not likely beholden to them for anything. Her connections and her skills could carry her quite well in the Senate.
Again, though, I just don't know if she's ready to be beat up everyday after leading a fairly charmed life as the former Princess of Camelot. Perhaps she could glom onto a set of brass knuckles. She may need them. She is a classy lady. Maybe she should watch the WWF for some pointers about how to succeed in the political arena.
B
5 - Dave Nalle
By all accounts she had a pretty hard time growing up with her dad dead and a too much paparazzi harassment and all the 'poor little rich girl' problems which most people will deride, but which are still pretty hard when you're living through them. She gives me the impression of being pretty tough, but we can't expect her to be as tough as Hillary "The Iron Lady" Clinton.
Dave
6 - Matthew T. Sussman
"She likely has more wherewithall in the political world than anyone else vying for the seat."
In New York?
7 - Hope and Change?
So according to Dave, Princess Caroline is qualified for one of the most powerful positions in the world because she had a "pretty hard time growing up".
Gee I guess the American voters have turned our democracy into an MTV reality show and Dancing with the Stars!
8 - Baritone
No, Dave was simply countering my concerns for her ability to survive in politics.
Actually, it's not that I think she's too soft as such. It's just that she has maintained a level of privacy, a distance from the craziness of politics throughout her adult life and the many tragedies that she and her family has faced. She still has teenage children at home (a rather grand one, I imagine.)
I just wonder if she is mentally and emotionally prepared to lose that privacy and distance for the privilege of serving in the Senate. The down side of her being a Kennedy is that the press will be all over her every minute. If she were almost anybody else, few people outside the realm of NY politics would pay her any attention. Her name alone guanantees an ongoing circus.
B
9 - Jet
How stupid do you people have to be? The GOP WANTs Caroline there-she's an easily beatable target in the next electons.
But you knew that, didn't you?
10 - Baronius
I made fun of Obama's inexperience. I made fun of Palin's inexperience. Come to think of it, eight years ago I was laughing at the stupid voters of New York for electing an unqualified candidate based on her last name. How anyone can take Caroline Kennedy seriously is beyond me.
Jet, good call on H&C's real identity. He barely registered on my radar in any of his incarnations.
11 - Jet
To be honest Baronius, the cue was taken from Doc. Once I was the dumb tag lines I was sure.
12 - Hope and Change?
Thats right Jet!! How stupid do you people have to be? The GOP WANTED Obama to win in a ladnslide election! This way they can blame him for every thing rather than blame bush for everything! This way the Dems will be deetroyed in the next election cycle!
The GOP must be brilliant....they lose control to win...wow! It all clear now....
Ahh, but the strawberries that's... that's where I had them. They laughed at me and made jokes but I proved beyond the shadow of a doubt and with... geometric logic... that a duplicate key to the wardroom icebox DID exist....
13 - Jet
HA HA HA HA HA HA Oh that's so silly, ROFLOL. HO OH OH HO HO HA HA HA
14 - Glenn Contrarian
H&C -
I don't like most of what you post, but I must admit I enjoyed the reference to Captain Queeg in The Caine Mutiny.
But personally, I liked the transitional Ensign Pulver from Mister Roberts.
15 - Hope and Change?
Who is Captain Queeg at what is the The Caine Mutiny?
16 - Douglas Mays
ALL RIGHT!!! I have been waiting for weeks for some Caroline Kennedy articles to pop up on blog critics. I need to rant my endorsements. And a few of the same commenters are here on Dave's article that appear on ZZ's article. A bunch of us have been waiting...
Finally, a name in USA politics a huge generation of our country can identify with. She has always been the nation's 'sister' image for a bunch of us out there. Say if you were born between 1954 and 1968. Finally, someone in the Senate speaking for me...
The point being, Caroline Kennedy has the potential to be the most effective politician our country has had in a long time. Just like uncle Robert, she seems to be in touch with the reaching tentacles of forgotten aspects of society. $65 million for education in NYC. Damn! That is a tough gig.... No child left behind... Robert K? Hispanics in LA as well as other minorities of the USA have good words for that guy. If it is in the blood, she is qualified. She has the best sources to confer with should she have any questions.
DM
17 - Glenn Contrarian
Uh-huh. Okay. Whatever.
18 - Douglas Mays
H&C (#12), Jet (#9). True, but all those politicians are aware of all that walking into the deal.
the trick is though, that they really don't know what could happen. Put the gal in there and let her rock. It is like being a record executive trying to pick what will be the 'single' off the new album. Most times the execs are wrong. No way to predict.
Who will win the Super Bowl, etc. ? Place your bets. Who will the winner be? Caroline could extend the dynasty...
DM
19 - Baronius
Doug, why does it matter whether you can identify with a senator? Why do you think senatorial skill is "in the blood"? What resources do you think that the average NY senator doesn't have access to?
20 - Hope and Change?
Finally, someone in the Senate speaking for all of the rich kids who never had to work, pay bills or you know....VOTE!
Now thats what I call hope and chage!
21 - Al Barger
Brother Nalle- Seriously, some fancy Kennedy tang is enough to cause you to lose your little mind enought to say How can it be a "turn-off" that someone with every opportunity to sit back and just enjoy life would choose to sacrifice their time and their money and their hard work to step forward and use their skills and knowledge on behalf of the people by serving in the Senate? ???
Oh my God, what a frickin' altruist she is. She will graciously consent to having the reigns of power handed to her - against her own preferred interests - just out of the selfless dedication to public service that is the Kennedy family frickin' trademark?!
I'll have what he's having!!!
By the way, questioning Hillary's credentials was reasonable - but she won the office fair and square in an election. It wasn't just handed to her. Likewise with Obama.
22 - Arch Conservative
Did I hear somebody say Chappaquiddick?
23 - Douglas Mays
Baronius #19, identity means that this Senator has a chance of thinking along my wavelength. And all the social/culture idol theories can be thrown into the concept. All those reasons polls kind find a demographic and support for a candidate of any kind. She could give voice to an overlooked demographic out there. That being those 'in between'....
In the blood? Plays a big part of the deal. Need a football player? Go to Texas. It is in the blood. I would bet that Caroline has a political savvy like you wouldn't believe. She needs to be in the political arena to use it.
I admire Caroline for making a decision to jump in with the dogs and doing something for the people. I think her intent is sincere.
DM
24 - Baronius
Douglas, those seem like horrible reasons to support Caroline Kennedy. By extension, you wouldn't have voted for Obama because he's black, and from an unproven bloodline. And aren't most senators roughly in the same age group as you? Incidentally, do you equally support George W. Bush because he had a famous, powerful father and he's around your age?
25 - Douglas Mays
B, oh, also to answer the question about what resources of any US Senator...
The answer has to do with the bloodline thing.
Could you imagine what a mess our country would be in right now if there was'nt a tad of bloodline involved? Tho much less of a dynasty involved than the Kennedy clan, I'm sure consultations with big George over the years diverted some potential disasters by little George. Then again, help create some disasters too. Hhhhmmm...isn't that how he got elected? Never mind....
Never the less, appoint Caroline. She has got the best bloodline in USA politics. Deep stuff...
best,
DM