Dem Consultant: Paterson Managed To Anger "The Kennedys, The Cuomos And The Clintons"

When Gov. David A. Paterson began consulting with his aides about picking a replacement for Hillary Rodham Clinton, they had one overriding message: First do no harm to yourself.

The potential benefits of any choice were few and fleeting, they said. But the potential costs of mishandling it -- to the governor's stature, to his political authority and even to his election chances -- were immense.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[LoyalOpposition]

He alienated me and my family, not to mention the majority of New Yorkers, both with his choice of replacement for Sen. Clinton and with his refusal to tax the rich of this state to the detriment of the working families on whose shoulders he lays the tax burden. I predict that we won't be hearing much about Paterson come the next election.

[Turtleposer]

Ah yes, he angered the Kennedys, the Cuomos And the Clintons the only people who appear to count in the Democratic Party. Dynasties are for North Korea. Get over it, folks

[Hrotea]

GOV. PATERSON DUG HIS OWN POLITICAL GRAVE BY INSULTING CAROLINE AND PIERCING THE AURA OF THE KENNEDY CAMELOT WITH HIS CLUMSY AND UNFORGIVABLE POWER USE

By Hermie Rotea

Nobody questions the right of Gov. David Paterson of New York to appoint Rep. Kirsten E. Gillibrand to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Rodham Clinton who is now the new secretary of state. But to do so as he did at the expense of Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the beloved Jacqueline and President John F. Kennedy, is unforgivable.

As it turned out, even as Caroline announced her withdrawal Gov. Paterson and/or his staff leaked to the media that her reason were her alleged troubled marriage, tax and nanny legal problems, as well as question over her qualification for the job and for news prime time. What did Caroline do to deserve such insulting and humiliating treatment?

Although indeed Caroline was hesitant to reveal too much of her private life by demurring when the press questioned her while she was still in the list for consideration, that did not mean she was unqualified for the job or not ready for prime time. As an author and constitutional lawyer, who can validly question her qualification? Many senators had been elected despite lack of experience for the job. But it is just as well that she withdrew because politics is dirty.

As for appointed Gov. Paterson, he will soon be history. He will be defeated when he run for election.

[moonwatcher]

Some people may criticize Californians for voting for actors as governors but we didn't select a senator that might appose President Obama's agenda. We have two senators Boxer and Feinstein who will back Obama's agenda.

[Piatt]

Paterson and his staff have handled this like petulant half wits. I supported Caroline Kennedy for the seat but could easily have accepted Cuomo, Maloney or several of the other Democrats that were mentioned. How did New York end up with an NRA poster child who "rubs people the wrong way"?

What I find genuinely disgusting is the sliming of Kennedy by Paterson and his staff. No matter what you think of her qualifications, she did nothing to deserve the kind of deceitful, personal c--p that's now being thrown at her. Asking her not to withdrawl so that she would be available not to be appointed is so bizarre that you've got to question the maturity of anyone who could come up with the idea.

Get ready to say goodbye, Governor. You don't belong in the office once occupied by Smith, Roosevelt, Rockefeller and Mario Cuomo.

[nirek]

Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I am impressed with Gov. Paterson for making an independent decision and not going with the BIG name . Also he is well spoken and seems to have a great memory!

[mellene]

I guess Paterson must not want another term. To cross all those who are so powerful will have a steep price to pay.

[classc 1]

Well...you will be happy to know that our fearless Governor Paterson will be off to Switzerland this week for an "economic summit" while Rome burns. Must be nice.

[Bulbul]

The blame game has started. But Caroline Kennedy`s quick rise and fall is her own doing , nothing to do with if she was Patterson`s choice or not. She jumped into the arena without doing her homework . If one is not a natural public speaker , needs to prepare for that. Desiring somthing and proving to be worth for getting it are entirely two different things.
Well, still there is time, why not get ready and run for the seat in 2010.

[McChimp]

Caroline Kennedy is not a natural public speaker because she HASN'T BEEN IN PUBLIC!

Prior to the 2008 election, she has been living a private life, what did you expect?

Contrast that with Sarah Palin, who has been in politics for YEARS, yet couldn't answer the simplest of questions given to her.

Caroline's downfall was due to sources at the Paterson camp. It was Paterson's camp that leaked the info about her taxes and housekeeper, and the rumor about her affair.

Paterson exposed himself as the DLC puppet he is, and his decision echoes that of John McCain picking Sarah Palin: a last minute Hail Mary pass. Everyone thought John McCain was going to pick Joe Lieberman or Mitt Romney, but he got "all mavericky" and picked Sarah Palin to win over his extreme conservative base, and Paterson just got "all mavericky" and picked Gillibrand so that he could get support in rural Republican upstate.

Instead of getting someone who could keep the seat, Paterson ended up getting a seat warmer that will be defeated in one year, most NY progressives have expressed outrage over Gillibrand: more of the status quo DLC oligarchy instead of fresh blood with Caroline Kennedy. Both Paterson and Gilli are going down in one year.

[Bulbul]

Palin is not even in the picture, I will never compare her with Caroline. Let Pattersn and Gilli...go down if they fail to win the election . Caroline, is well respected I think she could run in 2010 and win, if she really wants to .She has time to prepare herself , and also will think deep, if she really wants to be the senetor . I am for that.....

[Bozwellian]

Think rather nailed it...add in that likely the Rep. SEAT will go GOP as well come next round of elections . Further note, KG has closedr alliance with GOP (family/fr­iends...NR­A and etc...reminds one of a LIBERMAN sort of 'dem' but good to note she has closely aligned herself with Clinton camp, Hillary in particular and is confindent HRC/C backers will continue to support her ,etc,etc,etc !! Good analogy using the Mac maverickingly selecting Palin thou would give that KG is a tad more actually "qualified" and NOT a mere showboater !! Paterson dug his own ditch, not likely to win a re-selection, not overly confident KG could either unless those upstate GOPs come out in force to support her but the possibilty !!!

[meko]

Being a public speaker is part of the job. It's part of being elected. "Not having been in public" is part of the whole issue with not being experienced. Maybe she's not a natural legislator either.

There were other progressives up for the job. Kennedy could have thrown her support behind one of them and it wouldn't have mattered that she needed more experience speaking in public and managing the press before going for office. Instead she, and her people, put her up there when she wasn't ready.

And suggesting that Kennedy be chosen for her connections while saying that she's an outsider is ridiculous.

[LondonTownNY]

The Clinton Machine has control over the Democratic apparatus in New York. Patterson was boxed in. He needs allies but none of his likely allies are looking out for his personal interests but rather pursuing their own agenda. Patterson has to run for election in 2010 and I do not think he wanted to offend Clintonista's, the Cuomo's or the Kennedy's. The Clinton's do not care whether Patterson survives or not but they were willing to insist that he pick Gillibrand or incur the wrath of Clinton supporters. Caroline Kennedy was pushed forth by more moderate and independent voices that wanted someone other than a Clinton Machine candidate as Senator. The Clinton's have a long memory. If you look back over the last year or so, take a look at what happened to those who walked away from HRC's Presidential Campaign, even at the latest hour. Charles Rangel became mired in a housing scandal, Caroline Kennedy was humiliated in the press, and Bill Richardson was forced to withdraw his name from consideration for Commerce Secretary. Coincidence? Spitzer, a challenge to the existing social order, was building his own machine and was very popular but he was brought down as well. The drama of this pick, even though Hillary's girl was picked, will give the Clinton's reason enough to support Andrew Cuomo. My prediction is that Patterson steps aside and does not run. He is being undermined by the very people that he seeks to accommodate.

[obamagal]

~ snip ~

"The Clinton's have a long memory. If you look back over the last year or so, take a look at what happened to those who walked away from HRC's Presidential Campaign, even at the latest hour. Charles Rangel became mired in a housing scandal, Caroline Kennedy was humiliated in the press, and Bill Richardson was forced to withdraw his name from consideration for Commerce Secretary. Coincidence?"

Definitely worth 'a ponder'.

[noudidnt]

I AM NOT A BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON FAN!!!

That said, the people mentioned in your post caused their own problems.

[classc 1]

While I agree that it is hard to betray to the Clintons and live to tell the story, the fact is that both Charles Rangel and Paterson are very close to Hillary and BOTH stuck with Hillary to the bitter end despite much flack from their constituents.

I maintain that Paterson did what he did both because Hillary is his friend and because on paper, this pick helps HIM win his re-election...or so he thought. This pick was designed to deliver the two groups that he needs most to win in 2010...women and upstate voters. He could care less if Hillary's seat remains Democrat. What he did was self-serving.

[noudidnt]

"My prediction is that Patterson steps aside and does not run. He is being undermined by the very people that he seeks to accommodate."

If he's smart, he'll do that and he'll stick it to "Shuck 'n Jive" Cuomo and Hillary Clinton before he lives.

[noudidnt]

s/b leaves

man

[peanut]

What garbage! Another Fox/Hannit­y/Limbaugh patron. Bill Richardson was forced to resign? Really, I thought it was his decision. If he did nothing wrong, he had no reason to resign and could have fought the charges. And Charles Rangal created his own problems. Caroline Kennedy certainly didn't help herself with her language..­.like....l­ike....duh­! It sounded as if her entire life was spent listening to teenagers. And you say the press humiliated her? I think she did her own damage by the fact that with no previous involvement in politics, other than being the young daughter of a beloved president, she , the private person , put her name out there for consideration of the position held by Hillary.
Besides if the Clinton 'Machine" ( the phrase itself makes me laugh) were so powerful, why didn't Bill take over his wife's seat? You and I know that he could have easily had the appointment. Plus, there are many instances where the spouse of a former Senator or congressman replaces his/her mate.
If in 8 years, the Clintons have taken control of the Democratic apparatus in New York state, you must had have a hell-of-a-weak Democratic apparatus in place to begin with and both Clintons must be better multi-tasker than anyone imagined. Or, they got a lot of help from others.
LondonTownNY , great imagination and plus your jealousy is showing big time!

[Chardin]

Governor Pat-ojevich what were you thinking?
tinkering with that absolute power again?
And Hillary Clinton--grousing over Caroline Kennedy as potential successor to 'HER' senate seat ?
How dare you consider Kennedy a traitor? No one owed you their vote.
You fought dirty and lost your base.

Hillary. please move on. This seat no longer belongs to you.
If you intend to broker the healing of the world's enmity as secretary of state, how is this niggling
nasty business of your small potatoes resentment and manipulation going to help you?

Just take your resentment out on Bill. He probalby deserves it. Leave Caroline alone.
She doesn't deserve it. He probably does.

[JimR]

Leave Caroline alone? If she can't handle this kind of discussion about her, then she definitely did not belong in the U.S. senate.

[Bozwellian]

Think CKS did pull out due to personal reasonings after made aware that a scummy dirtbagging was to roil on for consideration of her IMMEDIATE family and how hurtful it could be for her kids are not "fullY matured and she herself knows well just how brutal it can be. She has kept lowkey profile all these years but queitly and gracefully conducted herself and done many good deeds for the public sector with NO NEED to center stage herself. The tragedy is that NY state just lost a great opportunity who would have worked tiredlessly for THEM, NOT FOR HERSELF or HER POCKETS but for THEIRS with a TRUE SINCERETY !!!
Bets are many of her Mother's words and cations and more are echoing thur her thoughts, and she is willing to take the hit rather than let her family be brutally brunted with the various garbage that in the moment of Obama, she thought possible some of the visciousnous had passed in order to REALLY work for the people/cou­ntry----Th­e Clintons know no shame, especially unable to accept the responsibility of their own shameful doings and surely MUST make sure they hold "the" revelncy of whatever moment they seek/choose. !!!

[postman606]

Andrew Cuomo is in the catbird seat. He can pick either office to run for, and probably win.

[classc 1]

That's correct.

[Fernando]

If he managed to anger all three families, he's probably doing something right politically.
Yet, I hardly think that CK not getting the seat would anger the Clintons.

[userw014]

Down with Dynasties!

I'm not a New Yorker and view what goes on in New York politics with some amusement (and bewilderment.) So, with ignorance lending support to a claim for agnosticism towards the three different political families, I feel I can offer a "fair and balanced" perspective here. "Down With Dynasties!" (Ignorance is Bliss.)

Besides, this appointment is only doubly-short termed with an special election in 2 years to fill the last two years of the term.

[Bozwellian]

The H & B camp are NOT angered by the slection KG ...that was their gal, THEIR PICK and THEIR PUSH and they were NEVER for CKS !!! HAD they stepped up to support Caroline, the fussiness and blusterings would have calmed quickly but instead they had various surrogates out mumbling and derailing as best they surreptuously could . The gov's pick is going to come back to bite him, her and the dem NY (lkely national too ) party and now bettering odds for GOP NY resurgence !!!

[alphonsegaston]

Who cares that the governor pissed off the big name politicians? He did a good job for the folks in upstate New York, chose a decent moderate Democrat who will represent the people of the state, not just New York City and Albany big shots.

[BigHeadTodd]

Well, he DID do harm to himself politically.

Paterson is TOAST in New York State now. We need MORE progressive thinking Democrats than ever in Washington, not a fair-weather politician.

The REAL story is that Paterson was "looking" for any excuse to NOT pick Kennedy, so had some PR flacks rehash lies and innuendos about marital troubles, a nanny and taxes. You know to take things with a grain of salt when the news is "broken" by Rupert Murdoch's NY Post.

So, much like the national REACTIONARY party, he chose a woman who's a mommy and ain't afraid to tote a gun. In other words, Paterson is up for re-election in 2010 and faces a stiff primary battle in his own party,so he figures he'll court the REACTIONARY party and non-afilliated voters in hopes of "defeating" any Democratic challenger.

It won't work. He's royally pissed off NY City Mayor Bloomberg, the Kennedy family, the Clintons and Obama. And now Andrew Cuomo will be gunning to take the job his daddy had.

So, good luck, Mr. Appointed Governor. Enjoy the jokes made at your expense on Saturday Night Live while you still have a political career.

[JimR]

We'll see.

[Bozwellian]

mmm, Murdoch's Post....uh, did't he give support to Hillary ?