The first line from NYT's account of Caroline Kennedy's appearance in Syracuse today: "In a carefully controlled strategy reminiscent of the vice-presidential hopeful Sarah Palin, aides to Caroline Kennedy interrupted her on Wednesday and whisked her away when she was asked what her qualifications are to be a United States senator."
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Comments
I'm sure Paterson will make a responsible decision by picking the most qualified former politician's child.
... said Jackers on Dec 17, 2008 at 3:52 PM | link
FYIW... One of the finer ascpects of American democracy is that anyone can run for any office. This is a participatory democracy. It is up to the voters to decide whether ones life experience and or back ground and or beliefs are strong enough to make them a useful representative. If C. Kennedy wants to throw her hat in the ring and justify it by being an author and mother, fine by me. That is about as good as being a lawyer, doctor, or even mayor of a small, medium or large city. Some of those outsiders deserve a chance to give it a go. We actually can do no worse than most of the multi term professional politician Jokers now serving.
... said hrgreen on Dec 17, 2008 at 5:03 PM | link
FYI… One of the more nuanced aspects of New York’s democracy is that when a senator leaves office midterm the governor selects their replacement, no democratic participation is involved. I’m not saying CK couldn’t possibly be a great senator; she’s certainly got a lot going for her. It’s just my opinion that it might be more responsible for the Governor to pick someone with a history of demonstrating a keen understanding of a wide variety of policy issues and the needs of the constituents they hope to represent.
But hey whatever, I’m sure Kennedy or Cuomo would both do just fine in the senate. Still, I can’t help but notice that both of the two leading candidates (in the eyes of the press) are the children of other famous politicians. Shrug it off as a coincidence if you want, but it certainly doesn’t make me feel good about our supposedly “open participatory democracy.â€
... said Jackers on Dec 17, 2008 at 5:40 PM | link
LOL, I realize after your comment Jackers, that my comment is moot. Since I never vote for incumbents... The order of events would be: Patterson appoints whom ever and then since they are an incumbent, I will vote for the challenger... Hopefully that challenger will be some terrific grass root type with no political baggage or ties to special interest groups....
... said Hrgreen on Dec 17, 2008 at 6:19 PM | link
Dude, she IS a lawyer. J.D. from Columbia Law School.
... said Elizabeth on Dec 17, 2008 at 7:10 PM | link
I think its pretty clear that the US electorate is easily swayed by a big name or a familiar face - Ronald Reagan, Arnold Swartzenegger (California), Jesse Ventura, Al Franken - perhaps (Minnesota), Hilary Clinton, Robert Kennedy (New York) - I bet you Hanna Montana, Jimmy Fallen and that Fez guy from "That 70's Show" could run for office and win in this country.
... said Barold on Dec 17, 2008 at 7:21 PM | link
Kennedy is an attorney but I don't think she ever practiced, unlike her brother (may he RIP). Also, her experience with
K-12 education and NYC schools is way overblown.
... said julia thorne on Dec 18, 2008 at 8:59 AM | link
Barold-
You forgot Sonny Bono.
... said Carrie on Dec 19, 2008 at 5:43 PM | link