CAROLINE KENNEDY REACTION: From Enthusiasm To Skepticism

Reaction to Caroline Kennedy's decision to seek Hillary Clinton's Senate seat ranged from strong support to skepticism about her qualifications.

Kennedy won the support of the late New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan's family.

"It would be a blessing to have Caroline Kennedy as Senator. She is so brilliant, so funny, so serious about her work," Moynihan's daughter, Maura Moynihan, tells Huffington Post. "My father would be thrilled. I hope Governor Paterson knows how much my mother and I favor her candidacy."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was enthusiastic about Kennedy's entrance into the race when questioned about it last week.

"I hope she is interested in the Senate, I would love to serve with her," he told Politico. "She's a wonderful person," he added.

Michael Moore has yet to express an opinion on Kennedy's Senate ambition but he enthusiastically pushed her to be Obama's running mate during the presidential campaign, writing an open letter to her.

Yet some politicos and commentators were less than enthusiastic.

"I don't know what Caroline Kennedy's qualifications are," Rep. Gary L. Ackerman told a New York radio station last week. "Except that she has name recognition, but so does J.Lo."

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Yet conservative commentators Fred Barnes and Mort Kondrake seemed fine with Kennedy's qualification as Senator, saying they have no objections to her candidacy. Asked on Fox News' "The Beltway Boys" about Ackerman's comment, Kondrake quipped, "Is J. Lo a worldwide ambassador on behalf of hunger?"

Columnists in the Albany Times-Union and Boston Globe were critical of her.

In a column titled "Not the best choice for senator," Boston Globe columnist Scot Lehigh wrote:

By all accounts, Caroline Kennedy is a fine person, revered within her tight circle of friends and family.

But a US Senate seat is one of the most important posts in the federal government. It is not a barony to be awarded as a political perk to the lightly experienced scion of a famous family.

Albany Times-Union columnist Fred LeBrun wrote:

And where else would Caroline Kennedy be seriously considered for a U.S. Senate seat, even for a millisecond? Have we lost our collective minds?...

So whose agenda is satisfied by appointing Caroline Kennedy the improbable junior senator from New York? Obama's and Ted Kennedy's, certainly. Senator Kennedy's endorsement of Obama came at a critical time in the war with Hillary, and may have tipped the balance. Another Senator Kennedy would be a nice payback. Except, of course, it was our senator who got burned by the Kennedy maneuver. I can't imagine if Hillary has anything to say in the matter that she would go along, because it would be a kick in the teeth for Caroline to follow her in office.

Other contenders that New York governor David Paterson could tap include New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Democratic Reps. Joseph Crowley , Carolyn B. Maloney and Jerrold Nadler , all of whom are New York City-based; Rep. Steve Israel of Long Island; and upstate Reps. Kirsten Gillibrand and Brian Higgins . Local officials deemed to be under consideration include Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi.

In polls, New Yorkers have positive perceptions of both Andrew Cuomo and Caroline Kennedy. 64% of New Yorkers say they have a favorable impression of Cuomo while 62% view Kennedy in a similar light, according to a recent poll.

Comments

[meko]

If she just ran for office, I'd be all for it. She's qualified to run for office. Anyone over 35 is.

But I hate the idea of another family dynasty being handed a high office. Did George Bush need the money? Does Jeb Bush need it?

Blagojevich got handed his congressional seat because of his powerful father-in-law. The path to governor was similarly smoothed (as would Kennedy's if she decided to run for President).

And I'm tired of hearing about how the loss of her father qualifies her for office. How many children of veterans who gave their lives for our country are given high office for their sacrifices?

[azcamp]

Caroline Kennedy has quietly been serving the citizens of New York for many years. She is a lawyer, author, community organizer and successful mother. She is as qualified as Hillary Clinton was when she moved to New York to run for the Senate. The difference is that Caroline is a New Yorker.

Her name recognition assures Americans that she will protect her integrity and the legacy of her political family. Women all over the world will cheer her candidacy.

Those Hillary supporters who are opposed should consider the way that Barack Obama reached out to Hillary to become Secretary of State after a hard-fought primary battle. Caroline Kennedy will be able to win election in 2010 preventing a Republican like Rudy or Bloomberg from rising. Dems would be crazy to pass up Caroline Kennedy for the Senate. But, they almost missed nominating Barack Obama because the old guard said PE Obama could not raise the money to compete or get enough votes to win the general election.

[avocats]

Yes, let's go through the qualifications of the existing Senate and compare: Hmm, start with the "As" --- Alaska: Ted Stevens. Now that is one experienced politician. Or go to the end of the alphabet: W.Va. Byrd. Apparently, you can be a Senator if you're hooked up to a respirator with no sign of brain activity. And Larry Craig? Nuff said.

[meko]

Let's go through the qualifications of the other potential appointees. There are a lot of fantastic US Congressional representatives in NY, mayors and other office holders too. They have achievements and everything.

Our standard for the next senator for New York shouldn't be "famous person who is more qualified than the 3 least qualified members of the senate." It should be "the person who can best advocate legislation that serves the needs of the people of New York state and our nation as a whole."

[grantpinnacle]

I am quite sure that Caroline Kennedy would be a fine Senator. She truly cares about America and is very much in line with President Elect Obama's agenda regarding stabilizing and revitalizing the USA. She is a very strong woman like her mom and a very good speaker like her dad. She will do well for New York in Washington.

[Martymar74]

A lot of Americans say they love freedom, but actions don't show it. Every time we find a Bush, Clinton, Kennedy, Rockefeller is being considered or is running for something, we revert back to the serf mentality and say without questioning, "oh, they'll be a good candidate let's take them seriously and never mind Independent or dark horse candidates." How about I just mail you guys a set of shackles and the sheet music to "Sweet Home, Sweet Chariot", because a lot of you guys are willing to give or your freedom to these American royal families! We fought a long and hard Revolutionary war to prevent this kind of tyranny. In a democracy, you gain status and position through work and qualifications, not through lineage.

[CaptainObvious]

She's a Constitutional scholar who's written several books on the Bill of Rights. Clearly, she's a direct threat to my freedom. How will we survive without bush protecting us?

[meko]

She co-wrote those 2 books and is listed second as the author. They were not scholarly works, but written for the general public. She has never published an article in a legal journal. Let's not exaggerate her accomplishments.

[DennyCrane]

What were Hillary's qualifications when she ran for Senate back in 2000? She never held elected office, she failed at health care reform, and she had a famous last name. If New York deemed HRC qualified, then Kennedy passes the test as well. And unlike HRC, Kennedy is an actual resident of New York.

[ChristopheHugo]

A picture is worth a 1,000 words:

http://www.agoravox.com/IMG/jpg/Kennedic_change_08.jpg

[capdeblu]

I say let her have the senate seat. Look at all she has gone through. Give her a break. She would have to run on her own merits in 2 years and let the people decide.

[glorialovelace]

What has she "gone through" that entitles her to the seat?

[loria]

I see the only woman you feel a need to defend is Palin. She can do no wrong and how dare anyone question her qualifications. My thought is that Caroline is a very accomplished woman, but she's not going to be my Senator so I'll leave it to the people of New York to comment.

[avocats]

What she has gone through? You're kidding, right? I actually think she is qualified, not by dint of "suffering" wealth, fame and family tragedy, but because she's smart, well-educated, and committed. The best part of all--she has never sought political office before. Shows good judgment.

[givemeparkavenue]

Is the Senate the House of Lords? 100 years ago, back before the progressive era, back when the senate was not directly elected, it was called the millionaire's club. Are we back to that? Are the major qualifications one's last name and amount of money one can access? If Caroline Kennedy wants to enter politics, that's great. But I don't want to see the position of being senator bestowed on her because of... what? Family mystique? Camelot? Her uncle was senator? Ted is terminally ill? She does seem like a great person, and I'm sure she'll go far in politics. But I'm just so sickened by the slide into aristocracy. Are we really seeing political dynasties as something good? It corrodes democracy--plain and simple. The sons and daughters of the political class can run for office, but at least run for office. The whole way she has approached this reeks of entitlement.

[QuestionEveryone]

Man..you said it perfectly...maybe Obama needs to surround himself with the aura of Camelot..this is really getting ridiculous...didn't Caroline's father win because of crooked Chicago politics.

[ZenNonna]

I think Hillary would like to block this as Caroline would stand in the way of a possible return. But I say Hillary run in Pennsylvania where you were standing in the duck blind. Or run in Illinois where you grew up. Or run in Arkansas where you were first lady.

Caroline for NY senator.

[hutom]

Your delusions about Hilary blocking sweet Carolines ambitions aside - what political acumen has the princess shown? Supporting Barack Obama after getting angry at Hillary Clinton for snubbing her overrated family and praising Johnson during the primaries?

[glorialovelace]

What makes you think Hillary is blocking C a r o l i n e 's appointment? If Hillary were to want her seat back, all she'd have to do is whip C a r o l i n e's butt in a primary.