Heat in the Kitchen
Who decides after 50 years of avoiding media attention that they want to jump into big-time politics as a U.S. Senator, a big-league, rough-and-tumble job that's not for novices or the faint of heart, and has always demanded some basic fire-in the belly ambition? Caroline Kennedy just doesn't strike me as the type.
She seems to have warmed to the idea of filling Hillary Clinton's Senate seat because she wants to do good things and help build a better future in the genteel climate of an Obama administration, but I think she lacks the necessary steel. Or so my character instinct tells me. Wanting to serve doesn't mean zip if you don't have the moxie and the social gregariousness and shrewd backroom moves that any tough operator needs. Plus she has a very dull speaking style.
Just today some press people asked about Kennedy's qualifications and whatnot and she ducked into a black SUV because, according to this N.Y. Times story, her aides didn't want her to talk. If Ms. Kennedy can't get into a little tennis ball back-and-forth with the press about her ambition and background and whatnot, why in hell is she lobbying to be a U.S. Senator? No would-be legislators run from the press unless they're facing indictment or some other kind of career-threatening situation.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 17, 2008 at 1:38 PM
comment #1
YRG
says ...
She doesn't do anything for me. Running on name recognition, privilege, and good works. The story is with the people backing her.
Posted by YRG
at December 17, 2008 2:26 PM
comment #2
BurmaShave
says ...
If it were up to me the pick would be Suozzi, but for whatever reason he's not catching on. Cuomo wants to be Governor, so I don't think he's up for it. She might actually be the best choice as far as electability. Remember whoever gets this seat has to start running immediately for a special election and then for a full term. As far as name recognition and ability to raise money, especially in a midterm year when Paterson and Cuomo may be sucking up a lot of New York money in a primary fight, you have to give it to Caroline. Not to mention I'd say the Kennedys have served us pretty well, and may continue to do so.
Whom would you prefer?
Posted by BurmaShave
at December 17, 2008 2:30 PM
comment #3
Jeffrey Wells
says ...
I like and respect Caroline Kennedy. I'm just not sure she's got the necessary intestinal fortitude.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells
at December 17, 2008 3:52 PM
comment #4
D.Z.
says ...
"Wanting to serve doesn't mean zip if you don't have the moxie and the social gregariousness and shrewd backroom moves that any tough operator needs."
Yes, look at Hillary. She was so successful at voting for the war and the bankruptcy bill that it cost her the election.
YRG: "She doesn't do anything for me. Running on name recognition, privilege, and good works."
Yes, she should be like George and Hillary.
Posted by D.Z.
at December 17, 2008 4:19 PM
comment #5
sellusWallace
says ...
pardon dicktracontion police here
but didn't you want her to
be vee pee
?
Posted by sellusWallace
at December 17, 2008 4:24 PM
comment #6
Deathtongue_Groupie
says ...
I've gone back and forth on this before deciding that Kennedy would make a decent, safe choice. It's not like the woman has been only attending fundraisers for her entire life. Not everyone who holds public office needs to be firebrand, Jeff. In fact, some of the better ones have those that defy the stereotype so much one is amazed they get elected at all.
It's obvious that public office must have been on her mind for awhile, so she would have run on name recognition at some point. Better yet, the people of New York will get 2 trail periods to take her for a test drive, so to speak.
If she is complete disaster, she will blow the special election and the Dems will have a good year to find a stronger replacement for 2012. If she does well, then New Yorkers will know she handle the job for another 6 years and her family legacy will assure she gets committee assignments that will benefit her state.
So in the end, this is win-win-win.
Except for the GOP, which is going to bitch and moan because only Giuliani has the name recognition to match hers.
Posted by Deathtongue_Groupie
at December 17, 2008 6:32 PM
comment #7
Deathtongue_Groupie
says ...
"Who decides after 50 years of avoiding media attention that they want to jump into big-time politics as a U.S. Senator..."
Uh, how about someone who watched their father and uncle get gunned down? Their mother, uncle and brother get hounded by the media? I think maybe dealing with Obama and deciding from first hand experience that he is the real deal (which I've heard from others with personal knowledge) probably told her this moment in history needed folks to step up and be counted when it's really needed.
Sometimes your political and social naivete is breathtaking, Jeff.
Posted by Deathtongue_Groupie
at December 17, 2008 6:36 PM
comment #8
TVMCCA
says ...
Joe Conason's a reliable water-carrier for the Clintons. Here's his take on Caroline's quest for the Senate:
http://www.observer.com/2008/politics/matter-caroline-s-qualifications
Posted by TVMCCA
at December 17, 2008 7:49 PM
comment #9
sumo-pop
says ...
Let's get this straight. Here is a woman who's father and uncle were brutally murdered in front of the whole world, who's brother died tragically, who has been saddled with the lightning rod last name of Kennedy and has done nothing but distinguish herself with grace and decency. Yeah, we don't need that "type." Give me a fucking break. Absorbing that much public tragedy and still being willing to put yourself out there qualifies as tough enough for me.
Posted by sumo-pop
at December 17, 2008 8:45 PM
comment #10
nemo
says ...
Hell, I wish she'd forget about running to fill an empty Senate seat in New York. She should be running for that empty Senate seat in Illinois! Just the idea of Caroline Kennedy mixing it up with Rod Blagojevich -- come on out to Chicago, Caroline! We need you there!
Her uncle Bobby carpetbagged it from Massachusetts to New York. Hillary carpetbagged it from Illinois to New York. Caroline should do a reverse carpetbag from New York to Illinois. After all, the Illinois seat Obama is vacating is the seat Hillary would have been occupying if it had been vacant back when she first wanted run.
Everyone in Illinois would be happy to have Caroline Kennedy come in to class up the joint, so they can concentrate on the business of driving a stake through Blagojevich's heart and sprinkling him with garlic.
Posted by nemo
at December 17, 2008 10:49 PM
comment #11
janee
says ...
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Posted by janee
at May 19, 2011 4:57 AM