Caroline Kennedy interested in HRC seat

Posted: Friday, December 05, 2008 1:24 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress

From NBC’s Andrea Mitchell

New York State Democratic Party sources tell NBC News that Caroline Kennedy has expressed interest in the New York Senate seat being vacated by Hillary Clinton.

She is known to have discussed the upcoming vacancy with New York Gov. David Paterson, who will be appointing the next senator to serve the remaining two years in Clinton’s term once she becomes Secretary of State.

Appointing Caroline Kennedy to the seat once held by her uncle Robert would be a very popular choice politically for Paterson, who is under pressure to replace Clinton with a woman.

The Kennedy name on the ballot could help Paterson’s 2010 reelection chances. Paterson became governor after Eliot Spitzer was forced to resign during a prostitution scandal.

Caroline Kennedy would also have an advantage in being able to raise money for the very expensive New York Senate contest.

Other contenders -- if Kennedy is not chosen -- include be congress members Kirsten Gillibrand (from an Upstate district) and Carolyn Maloney (NYC), Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is also a possible contender.

Kennedy's cousin -- Robert Jr., an environmentalist, has taken himself out of contention.

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Comments

Integrity- remember that word?

Donna York, PA (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 1:57 PM)

She is the best of the one's being considered. Are they more qualified.? I don't think so. She is smart, and would serve with dignity and as a Democrat she has the ability to raise more funds than anyone I know. Money is what it takes. Plus she would not disgrace the office as many of our Senators and Representatives have.

Garnell Fortner (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 1:57 PM)

"Qualifications"?????? What "qualifications" do ANY of them have except for they are ALL LIARS THIEVES AND CROOKS. Who cares? Hell, wouldn't make any difference if they appointed Putin. Same difference.

Percy Kution, Chapel Hill, NC (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 1:57 PM)

And just what were Hillarys qualifications before she ran? That she was married to the most morally corrupt President in U.S. history?

Sam, Laughlin, Nv (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 1:59 PM)

Caroline would be an excellent choice. She is a noted author with books on the constition and bill of rights. She passed the NY bar exam on her first try.

A Harris Seattle WA (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 1:59 PM)

I am surprised that she (Caroline) is interested. At least-she could not do any worse than the "so-called career politicians- I know she could replace Hillary-and would be even better-without all the drama (and shooting in Bosnia-lol) Hillary might think that she's "a big hen's a---but she's not!!!!! GO CAROLINE!!!!!

Lue Blacknell (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 1:59 PM)

My wife is considering going back to work. She's raised two beautiful children, and given me a great life for 25 years. That qualifies her. She's got my vote.

Bob, Great Neck , New York (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:00 PM)

Andrew Cuomo is the best choice. Young, bright, handsome and well spoken and this grooms him for presidental policitics in 2012. My only concern is how the party feels about his dad and will he become same old lock step party politician. Caroline becomes ambassador to Ireland.

Mike R Terrell, NC (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:00 PM)

To put her ther soley because she is a woman is stupid. Actually I believe it's called reverse discrimination. If she is the most qualified then go for it.

Tim, Clovis, NM (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:00 PM)

We already have enough liberal lefties.

Ralph Fudge, Thomasville, GA (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:01 PM)

Qualifications required:

Name recognition. Ability to communicate well and to possess persuasive powers that will be of benefit to the State being represented. Connections to the right people (movers and shakers). Ability to listen too, hear and respond too the thoughts and opinions and needs of the citizens of the State. Ability to appoint the right people to your Senate Office to handle the details and to help keep you informed of those specific issues challnging the people of your State.

What other qualifications does a person need? Granted, she has never been the Mayor of some small far off town but I think she would do just fine.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:01 PM)

She is Catholic

Hymie The Jew (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:01 PM)

No more Kennedys! No more Bushes! No more Clintons! Let's not elect any more of them. We need to break from this disfunctional pattern of continuous scandal and ineffective governance. Let's move on to the future and fresh future leadership and leave the Kennedy, Clinton, and Bush clan to rot.

Tom, Long Beacg, CA (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:01 PM)

Mike R Terrell, NC (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:01 PM)

You know she'll get it based solely on the name. Our political system stinks!

Sue B. (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:01 PM)

Hillary has 4 years left in her term. She won re-election in 2006.

Denise, Detroit, MI (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:01 PM)

to those that question: I believe she has just about the same qualifications as Hillary had going into her first senate role. She is a lawyer, she has experience in researching and writings concerning the constitution and has been involved in community services for most of her life. I think she would make a great senator!

Sandy, Scottsville, Virginia (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:01 PM)

i guess Caroline's qualified... after all, she spent x years in the white house...

hahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahhahahahah

jime (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:01 PM)

Her qualifications are that she is rich, rich, RICH...oh yeah, and her father was assasinated while he was in office...45 years ago! Certainly those facts qualify her for a seat in the U.S. Senate!

Paul Hauser, Wellington, FL (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:02 PM)

I have lost respect for Atty. Kennedy since she turned her back on her main cause that she always challenges on talk shows, etc, because of her book, but she was not able to make herself support when it happened to Sarah Palin...which is her Privacy Issue. If she could not stand up and speak out against this during the campaign and be bi-partison in her beliefs, then she will only take care of her own as a Senator of NY. The Kennedy's have always been for themselves and their clan.

Sharon, Brooklyn, NY (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:02 PM)

Qualifications? Caroline is a Kennedy. She has lived politics since she was born. She is brilliant and the governor should appoint her without further ado! Caroline has to start her political career somewhere, why not as the United States Senator from the Great State of New York?

Art Connelly (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:02 PM)

you are just a bunch of of neocon, Sarah Palin loving rednecks who can't stand the fact that y'all lost. Get over with it losers. It's over. Carolyn Kennedy is an intelligent woman who was appointed by President Obama(the man y'all love to hate) to vet his VP potential appointees.And guess what-shae came thru. Small advice-why don't you take your garbage filled thuoghts to talk radio- and a one Sean Hannity, 2gether with his brotha form another Mother Matt Levin?

Don B, Newark Newjersey! (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:02 PM)

Every Kennedy feels forever entitled. Remember Bobby's qualifications to be atty. gen.--NONE, or to be NY senator--NONE, or Ted's to be Mass. senator--none. When will they ever realize we don't have a monarchy in the U.S.?

JFR, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:02 PM)

Qualifications you ask? She is certainly more qualified for that position, than Sara Palin for VP!

Guille Martinez, San Antonio (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:03 PM)

Caroline has been a Mom for the past up teen years. She was a little girl when her father President Kennedy was killed. I doubt she is heavly in the political loop. My vote is for Andrew Cuomo he has the knowledge & is a fine man

Susan, Middletown, NJ (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:03 PM)

Well, let's see...She has lost a father and uncle for this country, graduated from Harvard and Columbia Law, is an attorney, president of her father's presidential library, an advisor of Harvard's Institute of Politics, and director of the NAACP legal defense and educational fund and the commission of presidential debates. Obviously, ill-equipped to replace Hillary...

Angel Elam, Phx, Az (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:03 PM)

In my opinion Caroline Kennedy would be an excellent choice for this position for several reasons. First and foremost she has been in the political eye her whole life and understands the inner workings of the political monster. Second, with the new regime in Washington and Obama's team taking a more personal view on the country and actually caring about the people who help keep this country going, Caroline's philanthropic background she would fit right in the with the new philosophy. Personally I feel very comfortable about a person who shows sincere concern for her fellow man and has the influence to do something about it.

Suzanne Bowden, San Jose, California (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:03 PM)

I agree...what are Caroline's qualifications? Just because she comes from a political family doesn't mean that she is qualified. Good Grief! Let's give someone else a chance!!!

Pearman, Chula, GA (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:03 PM)

Why not Chelsea Clinton ?

jim (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:03 PM)

What are the woman's qualifications?

Sucking up and riding the Obama coattails. What fiscal harm can another free-spending, non-taxing incompetent politician do, when we have so many now?

Rod, Medford Lakes, NJ (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:03 PM)

So she want to kill Hillary TWICE? It won't happen. She certainly won't get the Clinton blessing after what her and Ted Kennedy did to Hillary during the primary. Don't you have enough of the Kennedy already? An entire family riding on the name of their late brother! What qualifies her over other NY politicians?
Hillary may actually e-consider her nomination if Caroline gets the nod. No joke.

---------------------------------------------------

Troy - get a brain. Who do you think the Clintons are? Yes, Bill was the President and served two terms. He also was impeached, and accomplished very little in office besides passing NAFTA, balancing the budget, and reforming welfare (all Republican ideals!). Pres. Clinton presided over a rapid economic expansion, but that growth did not result directly from any policies he championed.

The Kennedys are the royal elite of the Democratic party. They have served in both the legislative and excutive branches over nearly 75 years. The Clintons are "newbies." Sen. Kennedy has done more in the Senate during the last 40 years than almost any other Democrat. He will get health care passed next year - where Hillary failed remarkably 14 years ago. Sen Clinton is intelligent and gifted. That said, her political skills are poor, and her best hope for redemption is rebuilding America's reputation around the world. She never will be President, and she burned too many bridges in the US Senate to get anything done.

Chowdaman - Boston, MA (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:03 PM)

Caroline Kennedy would be a terrific choice regardless of the contentious "drama" that took place during the Primary between the Kennedys and Hillary. Look at the elections (during and after the Primary) as two prize fighters in a boxing match. During the fight it's every man for themselves -- "kill or be killed". After the fight and a winner is declared, the contestants come together and shake hands. Wonderful!!

Oscar Tanhueco, Lakewood, Wa (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:04 PM)

Provided that Caroline Kennedy has some element of qualifications to be Senator, save her last name!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:04 PM)

*** Hillary may actually e-consider her nomination if Caroline gets the nod. No joke. **8

Dude, take off your tinfoil hat. Seriously. Obama has moved on. I'm sure Clinton has too. You need to get a life.

Mark C, Atlanta GA (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:04 PM)

What were Palin's qualifications to be VP

Marlin Bays, St Louis (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:04 PM)

Enough with the pseudo American Royal families.No more Kennedys or Clintons for the next 50 years. Let the Governor of New York State appoint someone with a brain, proven skills and a dedication to the people of New York State.

Sheldon, Austin, Texas (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:04 PM)

Why not Chelsea Clinton ?

jim (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:04 PM)

True, June Bug. What are this woman's qualifications for office other than the family name? I certainly had my doubts about both Palin and Obama, but this would be absolutely ridiculous.

jw (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:04 PM)

Don't be quick to judge her capabilities without taking a look at your yourself. At least she is capable to run for that seat and who knows....it will be a good change....just like Obama's tag line.

Funkarella (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:04 PM)

Apparently, this country and the Congress cannot function without a Kennedy in attendence. With Ted ready to take a bow; looks like the Kennedy Dynasty is doomed to continue.

Gary G, Dallas, TX (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:04 PM)

C.Kennedy is not qualified. He should appoint Bill Clinton

Joyce Miller (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:05 PM)

What a great idea. That will give Kennedy 2 yrs experience over Jeb Bush if he runs in '10. he will do a much better job.

Kris von Hoffburg, Irvington, Al (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:05 PM)

Let the best qualified candidate be selected!!!!!!

Manny, Corpus Christi, Texas (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:05 PM)

I think we need to stick a good fiscal conservative Republican in that seat. Maybe that Godforesaken state could get it's act together then.

Mark, Indianapolis (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:06 PM)

She couldn't do any worse than the ones that are already there on capital hill which is nothing.

Fred Kidd, Frankfort, KY (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:06 PM)

Caroline to replace Hillary - what a step up that would be for New York

Christopher, Jacksonville, FL (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:06 PM)

I totally agree with the first comment. She and her uncle abandoned Hillary Clinton. And being from Massachusetts, enough with the Kennedy's!

Claire (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:06 PM)

Caroline will be a real asset to NY state and David Paterson. she will also be of help to President-elect Obama and his positive ideas for the nation. Hilary may not have much to influence in any negative way because she's now a team player in the new Obama admin.

Bee,VA (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:06 PM)

to June Bug--do a little searching. Carolyn has a law degree, has authored books, and is certainly more qualified than Sarah Palin was when she ran in politics.

S Teel (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:06 PM)

I believe that Caroline was being considered some time ago when Obama knew long ago that Hillary was going to be in his cabinet. This was all planned some time ago and that was why Caroline was chosen to help select the VP. I think she will be good. Good Luck Caroline.

mary frye baltimore, maryland (Sent Friday, December 05, 2008 2:06 PM)

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