Caroline reaches out to Hillary

Posted: Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:38 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Congress, Democrats, Norah O'Donnell

From MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell
Caroline Kennedy has reached out to Hillary Clinton to discuss her interest in the Senate seat, according to a source familiar with the replacement process. While Clinton has not made clear who she supports to fill her seat, sources say that the three Hillary supporters who recently made anti-Caroline remarks were rebuked by Clinton confidantes immediately after they made them. A message from Clinton's team was sent to Clinton fundraiser Robert Zimmerman, RWDSU president Stu Appelbaum, and Rep. Anthony Weiner.

When asked whether Clinton would back a candidate, her spokesman, Philippe Reines, said: "This is entirely Gov. Paterson's decision. Sen. Clinton completely respects the privacy of his process so will not be commenting on it or any individual candidate, nor does any third party speak on her behalf."

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Comments

One of Caroline Kennedy's strengths as a Senator would be her ability to be a huge power broker on behalf of us NY'ers. Say what you will about Hillary, but she's delivered millions of federal dollars back to NY...what some people call pork barrel spending, we here in NY call it retribution, since, after all, we send more money to DC in terms of Fed. tax dollars than we get back, than any other state in the country!

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:48 AM)

What is with the Democrats? Why are certain people entitled to things in that party? Kennedy for the Senate in NY. Jesse Jackasson Jr. for the "Black" seat in Illinois. And why Kennedy? Here she is out working to get her royal heinesses (Hillary's) blessing, but yet she won't talk to the press so, horror of horrors, we might have an idea if she even knows what the heck she's talking about.

The people of NY need to wake up. Senate seats aren't toys to be given away to rich and connected people.

T Marks, NJ (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:49 AM)

Hey Caroline! Why not face the voters, you know, the people you want to rule over. Win an election for County Supervisor or something before you try for the big leagues!

Rachert Thomas, California (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:52 AM)

What does Sarah Palin have that Caroline Kennedy doesn't? Sarah's been elected by The People while Caroline has only been Crowned by her family name.

Marty, Northern Iowa (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:55 AM)

What would Carolines chances of getting selected to the Senate be if her name was not 'Kennedy'?

Slim and None (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:56 AM)

Why doesn't Caroline "reach out" to New Yorkers? Probably because this prissy babe doesn't want to rub elbows with the common folk. As Harry Reid says, "Those people are all smelly".

High Society (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 11:59 AM)

If Hillary supporters who made anti-Caroline remarks were rebuked, that telegraphs a message that Hillary will not make any anti-Caroline remarks either. Hillary supporters need to "get over it".

Caroline will get this Senate seat! Bank on it! Why do I know? A) Caroline is qualified. She is a lawyer with expertise in Constitutional Law. B) Governor Paterson likes her and needs her as they both will run in 2010. 3) Obama likes her. Don't you think Emanuel has contacted both the Governor of Illinois and the Governor of New York? 4) She is a good person in her own right. Very little negative has ever been said about Caroline. 5) She is a hard worker. Senator Kennedy will be the next Senator from New York...and Hillary knows these reasons to be true.

Ron Indiana (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:01 PM)

Hillary told Caroline to go pound salt. Hillary then referred her to her uncle's endorsment of Obama earlier in the year as to why.

Craig T. Nelson, MN (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:01 PM)

This is a good example of why so many voters turned against Hillary during the primaries. It was not so much about Hillary, but her "supporters". Many of us felt (feel) the same way about Hillary's supporters as they felt about Palin. They didn't feel the necessary obligation to support the party. Hillary's devoted need to deal more seriously now with reality. She lost, just as Obama's critics need to chill out for a while.

Debbi2 (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:05 PM)

And what were Arnold Schwartztenberger's qualifications for governor of California He is only married to a Kennedy; Caroline was born one
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I keep hearing this and the same thing about Jesse Ventura and Sonny Bono. Those people, like it or not, were ELECTED by the people of their state. Big difference

Sally in Salinas (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:07 PM)

The Democrats should just wear velvet robes and crowns while they prance around the Senate floor. 20 million people in NY, and Caroline Kennedy is the best they come up with? Now we know why congresses approval rating is worse the Bush's.

Rawlings Manchester, Buffalo NY (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:10 PM)

Paterson was in touch with Blagojevich. Paterson told Rod that he screwed up by asking for only a million for the Obama senate seat. Senate seats are worth a lot more if you sell them to a Kennedy.

Kennedy Love'n Liberal Fool (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:13 PM)

Good for Hillary. She knows that all the bellicose being thrown around by Chris Matthews, MSNBC and other Networks about Kennedy vs. Hillary and vice versa, is garbage. Hillary recognizes that it is the Governor of NY's decison to make and she is not going to get into game playing with the press or anyone else regarding this matter. You see, Hillary is a professional and has some class. Many so-called journalists and others who want to play these games are not professional and have no class. Their aim is to create controversy in order to increase the number of the readers or viewers. Good for you Hillary. Tell them to shove it up their a--es. You can do so to Caroline. Tell the press to get a life.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:13 PM)

Gov. Patterson can GIVE the seat to Caroline if he wants. That will just ensure that I vote Republican in 2010 against BOTH of them.

When did our democracy turn into a monarchy? I'm disgusted by this whole Caroline Kennedy debacle. Sure, she can have it if it's handed to her, but I will be happy to see her crushed when she actually has to WORK for the job!

Paul, Syracuse, NY (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:23 PM)

This is nothing more than a joke and a travesty for the citizens of New York State!!!

I say hold a special election - screw this appointment crap!

Josie, NY, NY (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:25 PM)

Hillary isn't happy with Caroline as Caroline supported Barack Obama but she's smart enough to down play any resentment of Kennedy by supporting whoever Gov. Paterson selects.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:25 PM)

Real nice Caroline.
First you stab Hillary in the back by endorsing Obama...then you come begging for Hillary's approval of your would-be appointment to her Seante seat.
I got to tell you honey...you are NOTHING like your father.

Shoelessj2004@aol.com (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:25 PM)

Hillary should ask Caroline about her Uncle Teddy. Maybe see if Caroline knows about what endorsements he's made in the past year.

John Kerry, MA (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:32 PM)

Why African Americans vote 90% for the Democrats (even without Obama running) and the Unions do the same is a real mystery. The only thing the Democrats expect from both groups is their vote at election time. In between, the Democrats treat them like pond scum.

Charles Neely, Tulsa OK (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:37 PM)

NO NO NO NO

If Caroline gets the appointment it would be a slap in the face to Hillary after her uncle and her turned their backs on her and supported BO.

Lou NY, NY (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:41 PM)

If Hillary chooses not to support Caroline Kennedy to take her senate seat, which is certainly her right, at least she has the class not to bash her (as some of Hillary's supporters have done). I think all of her discussions as to who she supports or does not support should go on in private, and NOT in the media. It does Hillary no honor to have her supporters bad-mouth the person who may yet end up with her senate seat.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 12:53 PM)

The Clintonistas are afraid of Kennedy for only one reason. If Kennedy becomes a popular senator from New York, she will someone who could seriously challenge Hillary's run for the presidency in 2016. In fact, Clintonwould be faced with a very similar situation all over again. A very popular, relatively inexperienced upstart, except this time, with the entire Kennedy dynastic tradition would *attached* to the challenger! It would be a slaughter, and Clinton knows it. She can't compete with Caroline.

Clinton is running for President. Kennedy is a threat. She wants Kennedy out of the picture.

Capt Todd (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:04 PM)

I thought her name was Schlossberg??

Lou NY, NY (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:11 PM)

Sounds like a Pay-Back for her OBama support?

Frank Urban, Littlestown, PA (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:15 PM)

Oh Oh, I smell something!!!!! Could it be the gov is considering Palin!! Heard she stopped inhaling, so she could pass the drug test, in case the gov picks her. Oh my god, heaven forbid, WHAT a story it would be. U heard it first on the Fit-T scents networth.

Fit-T scents (Sent Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:16 PM)

Did she drop her last name(Schlossberg) for the past 2 decades to cash in on her family name--Obama was for change looking forward--Kennedy is the past--that is according to Obama!! But he doesae owe everyone for supporting him-guess this job was the only one he could justify giving her

Cheboygan MI (Sent Friday, December 19, 2008 4:50 PM)

Hillary is showing much class by staying above the fray. New York State can do better than Caroline. Barack, Ted, and Rahm would do well to stay clear of it. Let Governor Patterson decide; no election; there would not have been a call for one if Hillary, Caroline, and Patterson were not the key players.

Donnell Underwood (Sent Friday, December 19, 2008 4:58 PM)

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