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 Should She Be Sen. Kennedy?Posted on Dec 18, 2008By Joe Conason Caroline Kennedy made her political debut in Manhattan almost exactly 10 years ago, when she showed up as the surprise speaker at a “teach-in” against the impeachment of Bill Clinton at New York University Law School. Her speech on that occasion was not memorable, nor did she display great passion as she read it, but none of that mattered. Her presence electrified what would otherwise have been a mundane gathering of liberal intellectuals, professors and politicians. She had at least a touch of the magic—and a sense of when and how to use it. Now, after a decade of writing and editing books, raising money for public schools in New York City and leading a mostly private life, Ms. Kennedy is seeking the Senate seat that will be left vacant by Hillary Rodham Clinton. In the culture of celebrity, the media have instantly deemed her a leading candidate, much to the frustration of elected officials who feel they have earned a chance to win what she would merely take. The arguments advanced on her behalf by many of her supposed friends have ranged from sentimental to crass. For more than half a century, the United States Senate has been the center of the Kennedy family’s public service. Her late father was a senator before he ran for president. Her Uncle Robert F. Kennedy occupied that same seat until his untimely death in 1968. Her Uncle Ted Kennedy, a towering figure in that body, is gravely ill with brain cancer. And while there are other members of the family who could plausibly seek a Senate seat, most notably the environmental leader Robert Jr. and human rights activist Kerry, they have stepped aside in favor of their cousin. Aside from her candidacy’s romantic appeal, there is also the money. Democratic leaders say they believe that Kennedy is uniquely equipped to raise the estimated $70 million or more needed to hold the seat through a special election in 2010 and the regularly scheduled contest two years later. She is not without resources of her own, and she has demonstrated considerable prowess in raising funds for education, ballet and other causes. Perhaps that ought not be a major factor in selecting a Senate candidate, but of course it is. Advertisement In the governor’s remark, there is an edge that expresses what many politicians may be thinking. Unlike members of Congress who want the promotion, Kennedy, a nonpracticing attorney, has little familiarity with the legislative process. Unlike them, she has never tested herself in the brutal arena of electoral politics. And unlike many of them, she has lived in a world of privilege quite remote from the concerns of most voters. It is not hard to imagine the difficulties Kennedy might confront in a race against someone like Rep. Peter King, the first Republican to declare his intention to run for the Senate seat no matter whom the governor appoints. How would the soft-spoken lady from the Upper East Side hold up in a debate against a self-styled populist from Long Island? Nobody who knows Kennedy doubts her intellect or her commitment. But beyond her endorsement of Barack Obama at a crucial moment in the Democratic primaries, nobody knows much about her positions on public policy. Presumably, the governor will explore that question when they meet. The same criticism—that she’s only where she is because of her name—was leveled at her Uncle Ted when he first ran for the Senate. Then again, we know how he turned out. If that is what she means to become, New York could do much worse. Joe Conason writes for The New York Observer. © 2008 Creators Syndicate Inc.  Previous item: You Can Never Have Too Many Kennedys in the Senate Next item: Pondering the Inner Meanings of Bill's Big List CommentsAre you a Truthdig member yet? Login now, or register with Truthdig. Add Your Comment |
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By Folktruther, December 25, 2008 at 7:49 pm Link to this comment
Is this little Caralyn, Jackie’s daughter? I don’t know what you are all talking about, she’s way too young. After she graduates high shcool, maybe.
Report thisBy Maani, December 23, 2008 at 11:58 am Link to this comment
Caroline Kennedy refuses to make public financial disclosure:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/nyregion/23kennedy.html?sq=kennedy&st=cse&scp=2&pagewanted=print
Peace.
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, December 23, 2008 at 7:12 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
By Grousefeather, December 22 at 8:26 am #
“I think Caroline is perfect for the job because it’s evident the Republicans disdain her, and that’s reason enough for me to support her. I ALWAYS love whatever or whomever the Republicans hate.”
Report thisI’m a Republican, and I like her… She has class, dignity, and for those who say she has “no experience” she has more HUMAN experience than most folks. She has lived with tragedy, death, and heartbreak. This is what we need in our governing body, someone who understands the reality of life…regardless of party lable.
By Kurt, December 22, 2008 at 11:18 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Every politician thinks they “deserve” an ffice by virtue of their “experience” etc etc etc. There are only a tiny amount Senate seats as compared to the number of politicians who think they “deserve” one. No matter what happens if they do not get the seat they cry “unfair.” Well, life is “unfair” and this appointment is part life and nobody believes their futile protests.
Everyone who complains should think of something better to do.
Report thisBy Grousefeather, December 22, 2008 at 8:26 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
I think Caroline is perfect for the job because it’s evident the Republicans disdain her, and that’s reason enough for me to support her. I ALWAYS love whatever or whomever the Republicans hate.
Report thisBy COGITO, December 21, 2008 at 4:40 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
At her worst, she will be no more detrimental to the congressional decision-making process than most of her predecessors. The public will forget this in two hours. We are already numbed by our helplessness in the midst of this economic tidal wave.
Report thisBy Bubba, December 21, 2008 at 4:13 pm Link to this comment
Yes, I would strongly recommend her as a senator for Zimbabwe. They could really use her help there.
Report thisBy Gabe Nitzell, December 21, 2008 at 10:01 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
As a New Yorker said on C-SPAN, “What do we know about her? Well, she had a pony and called it Macaroni. That’s about it.”
Report thisBy Hemi*, December 21, 2008 at 8:47 am Link to this comment
If you have to ask a question of this nature you already know the answer. No!!!
Report thisBy Maani, December 20, 2008 at 9:07 pm Link to this comment
FYI, a good article from the NYT Week in Review:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/weekinreview/21murphy.html?ref=weekinreview&pagewanted=print
Peace.
Report thisBy Maani, December 20, 2008 at 2:50 pm Link to this comment
oldog:
You ALMOST make me willing to overlook both the process regarding Governor-appointed senators, and the other possible choices who have far greater knowledge and understanding of politics, and have paid their dues. ALMOST.
Peace.
Report thisBy Inherit The Wind, December 20, 2008 at 6:26 am Link to this comment
Gov. Patterson will appoint Caroline Kennedy if:
Report this1) He feels it will help him get re-elected.
2) He feels she can raise boo-coo bucks for the NY Dems
3) He feels she can hold the seat against the GOP, esp Peter King, the Long Island successor to Al Damato (is he still out of jail?).
4) He feels that like most Kennedys (especially the women) she be a big asset and a liberal voice. With the Bushes and the Clintons, the third serving family, the Kennedys, look pretty good. (Even the Governator, a Republican, is far, FAR to the Left in that party)
5) He’ll be able to appoint a woman. I’d guess Nita Lowey is his other main candidate.
6) Bonus reason: Gov. Patterson will enjoy pissing off all you TDrs who can’t tell a Democrat from a neo-con.
By Calypso, December 19, 2008 at 3:24 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Caroline Kennedy did NOT grow up in the White House, she was probably 5 yrs. old when her Father died and Jackie Kennedy took her children away from public scrutiny.
Soon after when Jackie married her second husband, she moved her family to Greece where the family lived out of the public eye for years.
When Jackie returned to N.Y. the family still maintained a private life as did Caroline after she married.
Caroline is NOT an experienced politician as are several qualified female members of the House of Representatives who represent N.Y..
If those in power continue to reward the “connected” rather than those who come from the ranks of ordinary citizens and have “earned” the promotion will politicians who govern EVER understand the needs of “ordinary” citizens.
And why the hell does Caroline think she “deserves” a seat in the senate she is neither qualified for or has earned???
Report thisBy thebeerdoctor, December 19, 2008 at 9:41 am Link to this comment
Blackspeare has nailed this down. The Senate has always been a smug, chummy club. But now there seems to be a new rule: no one less than a multi-millionaire need apply. I find odd Oldog’s assertion that serving on the board of a charitable foundation is an example of public service. When you examine the corporate structure of many non-profit corporations, you discover it is not all that charitable.
Report thisMs. Kennedy may fan the delusional Camelot flames. Those who believe that the rich and well connected deserve their privileges, go ahead and be a liberal or conservative, it does not matter, both political wings offer their forelock to the same ownership class, despite in differences in ideology.
By Blackspeare, December 19, 2008 at 7:35 am Link to this comment
The US Senate is becoming an American version of the House of Lords——access by heredity.
Report thisBy oldog, December 19, 2008 at 7:12 am Link to this comment
Caroline belongs to the genus of Kennedy. It is an auspicious and prolific family in human affairs. This breeding line has produced many talented and charismatic individuals. Also, the Kennedy’s are a clannish lot, with the wealth, contacts and prestige to support the crusades or foibles of its sons and daughters.
But genes and environment must both be considered. It is their large and robust family life that fosters a strong competitive drive, while a history of tragedy and travail creates a healthy bond with the less fortunate. Many members of this family have shown a true understanding of the phrase ‘Noblesse Oblige’.
Certainly, not all scions of privilege have fulfilled the promise of their heritage, (George W. Bush and Lucrezia Borgia come to mind) while others have transcended the accomplishments of their famous parents. (Elenor Roosevelt and Gen. Douglas McArthur)
How does Caroline Kennedy measure up? She certainly has lived a varied and challenging life. She has a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia. She grew up in the White House, and while going to college interned with her uncle Senator Ted Kennedy. (Which, no doubt gave her an education in the intricacies of Senatorial politics) Caroline published works on constitutional law, art, children and family matters. She has served on the boards of many charities and foundations for the arts, and been entrusted with the responsibility for the Kennedy legacy foundation. She has also survived 41 years of intense public scrutiny, the tragic personal loss of three siblings and of her father, President John F. Kennedy, while living a life of discretion and service to her family and community.
Caroline Kennedy does not have the usual training in politics like the other candidates for the New York Senatorial seat. What she does have is a legacy of public service that no politician can match.
Report thisBy Leisure Suit Larry, December 19, 2008 at 6:26 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
“...the media have instantly deemed her a leading candidate, much to the frustration of elected officials who feel they have earned a chance to win what she would merely take.”
With the fantastic job most “elected officials” have done over the past several decades, maybe it is time we had ANOTHER in a long line of “unknowns”
John Kerry, John McCain, and even Ike Eisenhower (among many others) were “political unknowns. Just because you have the ability to do well in the military this does not necessarily qualify one for governmental service.
Report thisBy R. Queisser, December 18, 2008 at 10:17 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
Ms. Kennedy, after all, is just another lawyer, cranking out wills and land contracts, or writing EISs and mitigation plans.
She has NO public policy chops, NO public finance chops, NO foreign policy chops, NO diplomatic experience, NO legislative experience, NO public election campaign experience, and NO credibility in social or cultural issues.
So why, I forgot, is she asking to be named NY senator?
Report thisBy Russell, December 18, 2008 at 9:02 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)
While you said the reasons floated for another Kennedy in the Senate ranged from sentimental for crass. Nobody thought Hillary could handle the rough and tumble of an election on her own, especially in New York. New Yorkers have pizazz, so their representatives need that nebulous quality in spades. Whatever she is, Ms. Kennedy as a public figure is a relative unknown. Maybe she has that snappy reparté needed to win an office in New York? My question: Can you have too many Kennedys in the Senate?
Report thisBy thebeerdoctor, December 18, 2008 at 7:23 pm Link to this comment
“She at least a touch of the magic—and a sense of when and how to use it.”
Report thisStop that Joe Conason, that is just TOO SILLY.