I don't know what the full story is, and we'll perhaps never know, but Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn from consideration to replace Hillary Clinton as a New York Senator. My money is on the idea that once Caroline Kennedy found out that she wasn't Gov. Patterson's choice for NY Senator, she took her ball and went home. Regardless, this ends a media circus that taxed my faith in my fellow NYers who thought she'd be a great choice.
Appointing Caroline Kennedy as Senator would be extremely demoralizing to most New Yorkers. She would not have earned it save for her accident of birth, and it would be contrary to the spirit of upward mobility that the current administration seeks to champion. Simply put, nepotism sucks. Yes You Can unless there is a Kennedy who wants it. Sorry.
Enormous deficit aside, my faith in Albany was on the upswing before this spectacle. The Empire State Hypocrite was out of office in disgrace, replaced by a man who appears to be down to earth, honest, and pragmatic. He is visually impaired and a minority. Yes He Can.
But my favorite thing about Governor Paterson is that he signed the Commission Escrow Act, something George Pataki vetoed in spite of the huge legislative (and popular) support of the bill. This was a long time coming, and I am hoping that it is the first of many things that are positive coming out of Albany instead of the partisan gridlock we all put up with.
Frankly, I am disappointed that Ms. Kennedy wasn't dismissed earlier. From my vantage point this was ego driven, and she got a rush from all the attention, at least while it was positive. If her name were Caroline Faranda she's have gotten as much ink as a possible Senator as my dog. Her appointment would have rendered the Commission Escrow Act more of an anomaly than a trend.
Here's to a trend of progress, and not slipping back into politics as usual. I wish Caroline Kennedy well and appreciate her philanthropy, but the delusion that she was qualified to be a Senator would have undermined us all. I hope the new Senator is the best choice for New York and the country and not the best political choice. I also hope that it continues what appears to be a movement to restore New York as the Empire State and not the Red Tape State.
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I agree, Philip. The name Kennedy is magic in our political world. It was all about nepotism however as she has worked for the nyc school system, and other non-paid positions. I am glad that she withdrew as there are some excellent choices, individuals who worked their way up the political ladder and deserve a chance. I salute Paterson for not bowing to the pressure to appoint her.
I agree. I believe she was given a "head's up" and the opportunity to save face!
Thanks for yet another thought provoking post.
Call me old fashioned, but the person that is most qualified for the job should get it. Not the one with a famous last name.
Funny, not being a New Yorker I watched the thing from afar. Somehow I would like to see her enter politics. From a pure marketing perspective (forget politics) I think that she could have brought something new to the table, something good. I don't believe that people who are "seasoned" in politics are necessarily the best qualified. Seems to me that these are the most vunerable and the most disconnected.
I have no stake in the whole thing, but my gut tells me she would have been a good choice.
Kate,
That is the "fresh face" or "star power" argument I got from CK supporters. I'm no fan of seasoned politicians, but I was concerned about several things that a fresh face would not sufficiently counter balance. And I am not of the opinion that New York needs a big name to fill the seat. New York is as much of a place where one makes their name as it is where they cash in on it.
It would be interesting to see how she'd perform, yes. But since it is my money and not someone else's, I'm more averse to taking the gamble.
I'm all for her entering politics. Let her run for assmbly or be appointed to a non-elected office to cut her teeth. Let her work her way up.
J. Philip - interesting points. Again, I have absolutely no stake in NY Politics. I can say that I lived in Southern California and The Bay Area for many years before I moved to "Up-State" California.
My experience is that the "local" politicians who have served the community for years are very miopic and that they lack the experiece of having lived in larger metropolitan areas. Because of that they lack vision and make many poor choices for the local community.
We are now dealing with things that metropolitan areas have already lived through and in trying to avoid the problems of the big city the decisions being made are taking us down the same path or worse. There is something to be learned on both sides.
I had an interesting thought while reading your response - I would be in favor of requiring "cross-serving" or training of politicians. It would require that someone from Up State would be required to work in a metropolitan area for a year or so before they could come back and work locally and vice versa.
Logistically it's impossible but it's an interesting thought.
You are totally right Philip!! Allowing Caroline Kennedy to represent NY in the Senate would be a slap in the face to all NY. She is not aggressive enough and has no experience in the political arena to properly represent NY. In this tough world NY needs someone who is going to represent them not an egotistical family dynasty. (I am a former Saratga Springs and Troy, NY native)
Phillip, I agree with you in that Caroline bailed when she found out she was not going to be the nominee. The way she bailed indicates how she was not ready.
The talk became, "what were the personal problems"? All she had to do was wait until the announcement, congratulate the new nominee and express appreciation for being considered. End of story.
Instead we now hear speculation of nanny's, taxes and marital relations. A public relations nightmare.
Jay
I like a famous face in politics every once in a while, it keeps me entertained. Arnold Sharwzenegger as governor is hilarious.