Caroline Kennedy Platform Emerges

In just a few days, Caroline Kennedy's bid to replace Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has acquired nearly all the trappings of a traditional New York statewide campaign: a bevy of consultants, a tour of upstate cities and television cameras tracking her every move.

Now Ms. Kennedy has added something else to the list: a platform -- of sorts.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[1Marie23]

Caroline would be winning soley on her name, but then isn't that what Hillary did for the same seat? I really think New York is making a mistake, then and now.

[meko]

She is only in consideration because of her last name, money and family connections. No one with her resume (non-practicing attorney, co-author of a few books, charity board member, part-time volunteer on behalf of NY public schools) would be considered otherwise.

But perhaps all those people talking about the cost of reelection have a point. Perhaps only the very wealthy and people with relatives in government can win the senate seat in New York. Caroline Kennedy never raised money for anyone who wasn't a family member, and I doubt her friends would either.

The New York senate seat, may not be available to anyone but the wealthy. The best the common people can hope for is a relatively sympathetic plutocrat.

But I'm not giving them any of my time or money. If the senate is going to be bought by someone, they can buy it themselves.

[Kelani]

How do you expect to soar with eagles when you fly with buzzards. Lose Al Sharpton.

[ps34109]

What do we want? Can the media help answer this question.

Caroline Kennedy is no politician. She's not a campaigner. She can't stand up, like Sarah Palin did, and shout rhetoric to get the audience on her feet. But if put in office whether appointed or elected, I sincerely believe, she would work very hard and accomplish many goals. No arm-twisting, just intelligent debate.

Isn't that what we want from our politicians? Less bull and more action?

Why is the media focusing on the fact that Caroline Kennedy is no Sarah Palin. Thank God she's not.

Bueller? Media? Anyone?

[Badfickle]

"I sincerely believe, she would work very hard and accomplish many goals"

I sincerely believe that there are thousands of other people just as talented who would do the same or more whom we will never hear about because their name isn't Kennedy.

I've yet to hear anything really special about her that doesn't one way or another depend on her name.

[reader110]

There isn't anything special about most politicians. Give her a chance - maybe she'll accomplish something special. It seems to me that the biggest thing people have against her is her name, which is just stupid.

[Gaylemattern]

Although, like anyone else who remembers the Kennedy children in the White House, I have warm feelings for Caroline Kennedy, this doesn't qualify her to be Senator. She may or may not have what it takes- normally, we would find out about her in a hard fought election. Here in California, we have Arnold Schwarzeneger, who is governor because he got in by the back door- a special election, using name recognition and the ability to be voted in by a small part of the electorate the first time around. Now, Caroline Kennedy is trying to do something similar in New York. She's using name recognition and an assertion of the family dynasty to get in through another back door. Like Arnold before her, she has the famous name but little political experience of her own. Like Arnold before her, she's displaying the arrogance of the entitled. And like Arnold before her, she's probably not qualified for the job.

[Badfickle]

Let's not forget why we have Pres Georgey

[Dayahka]

Caroline made a good impression when she served in the VP selection process. Then she killed whatever good she had done by soliciting the senatorial position. Now, regardless of her intellectual achievements and capabilities, she has shown us a side that disqualifies her from the position. She is not a politician--maybe a panderer, but not a politician. She has no elective experience. She has no legislative experience. She just feels somehow entitled to the position. For the good of the party and NY state, she should withdraw. There are numerous other people who are capable of serving in the position; let the new senator be selected from among them. If I were the governor of NY, I would not select her. If she wants to be senator, let her run in two years against whomever is selected to serve the last two years of Hilary's term.

[mjc]

Sorry for all the focus on Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg. This is not a topic any New Yorker but those of us who are political junkies really care about . First, the article talks about a "political campaign" upstate. Amazing campaign that one, 20 minutes in Syracuse and a few more in Rochester and then home, the first time she has EVER been upstate to those cities. Second, if she really does care about gay and lesbian issues, where the hell has she been? Although New York is perhaps...­., maybe, one state that isn't already dyed in their own bigotry completely, there are sure bigots around, and perhaps more in the areas of the NY that she has never visited. Third, her Catholic beliefs are showing? She can't come out for choice as far as abortions are concerned. Yes, there are lots of Catholics in this State but most of them, even upstate, think that a decision to end a pregnancy is one left to the pregnant woman and their doctor; in other words...., as one devout Catholic said to me, let the Pope raise the child. Gun control IS an important issue, in the City as far as handguns are concerned, and in the countryside, upstate, where many of the "bitter people" Obama spoke of live. And having New York City be the determining factor for representation of this State in representative bodies doesn't cut it.

[Ramirez]

Dave Cullen Blogs has thoughts about Princess Caroline and other American monarchists:
*****

“These people have every right to work the family name and connections, but as voters, I think we’re generally foolish to support the dynastic system. We would be much wiser to examine the lingering feelings that draw us to the idea of Noble Families and Great Houses–the whole idea of nobility that our coutry tried to break from 200-plus years ago. . . . How sad that even Hollywood rejects the brand-name­/family-my­stique idea, but the voters can’t. Lots of movie star children get an easy break into films, but the vast majority of them fail pretty quickly. The success rate is low. In politics it is extremely high. That’s pathetic. . . . I was repulsed by the idea of ’saving’ the Delaware senate seat for Biden’s son, the ‘natural heir.’ I was stunned by how quickly and easily the beltway boys all jumped onto that idea.”

read more heir:
http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=64701

[darthdarcy]

How about our economic crisis Caroline..­?

Will this be a conflict of interest for you...as Mrs. Schlossber­g..?

[glorialovelace]

What's that supposed to mean?

Caroline's husband is an artist and a designer; he's not a financial person.

[rollingdivision]

New York State should hold an election in early 2009 for this senate seat. Appoint someone for the next few months. Then don't wait 2 years, rather allow the citizens of New York to select their senator as quickly as possible.

[bubbuh]

Ah, yes, let's stop all the other stuff in the legislature and rewrite this part of the state constitution right now.

[Gushall]

Well gee, the country and the state are ripe for 'change'.

[Okieborn]

Caroline Kennedy Is Exactly What America Needs !!!
Honesty Compassion !!
America Loves You Caroline !!!
Senator Caroline Kennedy !!
Sen. Al Franken !!!!

[Gushall]

What about Sen. Mickey Mouse? He was a top vote getter too! And just as qualified as these two.

[darthdarcy]

Senator Maurice Hinchey would be much better for suffering New Yorkers, but we are not a meritocracy are we..?

[bubbuh]

Nope, a representative democracy.

[cayuse]

The cost of FREEDOM is not cheap

Free Choice does not stop at driving a Duesenberg while other starv or your sexual flavor when it discusts others

It starts with doing to others as you would do yourself, as it did 2000 years ago and will for the next 2000. Some seeing everythink see nothing, while others seeing nothing see it all.

[AlaskanWannaB]

Folks,
As long as you are intelligent, you should be able to run for any office in the U.S. We supposedly have experience on the "hill" and look at the state of the U.S. economy. I want someone in office who cares about the people rather than their career and towing the party line. We got so-called experience in the House and Congress and those "jack_sses" can not get a billed passed. I want someone who has compassion for the people and someone who does not spew the hatred that Sarah Palin did during the campaign. Personally, I feel Caroline has more compassion than Mrs. Clinton, who I have grudgingly come to respect somewhat. Go Caroline.

[BigBagel]

Being compassionate is the sole qualification for being a US senator?

[bubbuh]

Right now, getting Paterson's vote is the sole qualification.

[rollingdivision]

Except in Illinois.

[glorialovelace]

Is there a test for "compassio­nateness," other than how many d e a d relatives you have?

[Badfickle]

Are there no other compassionate people in the state of NY?

[AlaskanWannaB]

Have they expressed interest in the job? I assume there are other compassionate people, but we ARE discussing Caroline Kennedy and some are stating that she is unqualified and inexperienced. I just choose compassionate over those two characterizations of Caroline. Remember, it's my opinion.

[rollingdivision]

The arrogant sense of entitlement of Kennedy is breath taking. There's not one bit more justification in the appointment of Kennedy than in the future crowning of Prince Charles.

[BigBagel]

Charles at least has some experience in the royalty business.

[rollingdivision]

Good point. Our country fought to eliminate family linage, "DNA" as a right to rule choosing instead a system where the public selection grants the job of governing. It is amazing how unprogressive the progressives are.

[bubbuh]

CK, AC and the Guv have as nuch experience with the American version.

[glorialovelace]

Charles has been training for his entire life to be King.

[BigBagel]

The working class in this country are armed to the teeth. The elite in this country are selfish, corrupt and incompetent. Removing those guns would let the elites sleep better.

[bubbuh]

Tell it to Cheney.