Downballot: Paterson on Caroline
Posted: Friday, January 09, 2009 9:09 AM by Domenico Montanaro
MINNESOTA: "Senate Democratic leaders won't shut the door on the possibility of seating Democrat Al Franken before the state of Minnesota issues a certificate declaring a winner in the race," writes CQ. "Majority Leader Harry Reid on Thursday appeared to back away somewhat from his declaration earlier in the week that Franken's term ‘must begin and will begin soon,’ saying that Democrats would ‘be very patient’ with the legal challenge that Republican Norm Coleman is mounting in the Minnesota courts."
NEW YORK: The longer Gov. David Paterson goes without appointing Caroline Kennedy, the less likely she's the pick, right? Paterson’s public utterance yesterday that her legislative inexperience is an issue can't be a good sign.
The New York Times hints that it's possible Andrew Cuomo did NOT send in the paperwork Paterson has asked of all potential Senate candidates. "The governor stressed in interviews on Thursday that he had not made up his mind and that the race was still wide open. Of course, time is running short for the governor, since Mrs. Clinton’s Senate confirmation hearing is scheduled to begin on Tuesday.”
“‘She has pluses and minuses,’ he said of Ms. Kennedy in an interview on WOR radio, adding that she ‘has a tremendous relationship with the president and that’s certainly a plus. She does not have much legislative experience, which is a minus.’”
“He also told The Buffalo News, ‘The notion that I have to take Caroline is not coming from me,’ adding: ‘To the media, it’s Caroline and the others. To me, it’s there are 10 to 15 good candidates.’”
The AP reports that "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 work force after raising kids and doing volunteer work."
