Caroline Kennedy: Paying to Play

The media has been focusing on the Rod Blagojevich scandal with all the zeal of a torch-wielding mob, but they fail to acknowledge that the dirty pay to play model demonstrated in Chicago is a microcosm of the political world. Everyone pays for everything, and only the wealthy can buy access to power.

New York can offer two other examples of paying to play with Senator Chuck Schumer, and the legacy candidate gunning to fill Hillary Clinton's vacated seat, Caroline Kennedy.

Blagojevich's swear-laced scheming was crude, super illegal, and what ultimately led to his public demise, unsubtle. The governor never learned how to delicately press the boundaries of acceptability, and instead charged through them with all the nuanced skill of a rabid bull.

The fallen governor should have looked to Chuck Schumer, who demonstrates how to us pay to play the acceptable way. Schumer is the official beneficiary, advocate and overseer for Wall Street. A Democrat, he fully embraced the free market principles that have led to the current financial turmoil. Since Chuck's largest contributors are from Wall Street, he votes to please his corporate masters, and in doing so, he continues to buy access to power. It doesn't matter if deregulation is bad for his state, and the country, as long as those fat Wall Street checks continue to roll in.

Blago should take note: at no point did Chuck get on the phone and demand, "his fucking money." Instead, he quietly and assertively raised Wall Street contributions by 50 percent. Then he used that money to hold onto his power, and vote in the interest of Wall Street, and not New Yorkers. The contributions keep rolling in, and Chuck does it all over again. That's the acceptable way of paying to play.

Caroline Kennedy is also subtly pressing her bony elbow into the back of David Paterson, demanding what is rightfully hers. I write "rightfully" because...ya' know...she's a Kennedy, and we're supposed to live under their rule until Jesus comes back, I think. That's written in the Constitution, or something.

But seriously, no one can offer a compelling argument for why Caroline is particularly well-suited for the job other than her ability to raise a ton of money for the Democratic party. That Kennedy money is another tricky way of paying to play. If Caroline can cough up around $70 million, she gets to play, but if she was a poor gal named Smith or Gonzalez with an impressive resume, winning smile, and a noble spirit, she'd get her little ass booted to the curb.

To all the future, corrupt politicians out there, here are some parting words of advice: deceive wisely. Politics is a dirty, foul game for the rich and unscrupulous, so lie, but lie wisely. Steal, but steal subtly. Pay to play, but for God's sake, do it in the most quiet, underhanded way possible to spare us all the embarrassment of having to acknowledge what a morally bankrupt system we vote to uphold.

Follow Allison Kilkenny on Twitter: www.twitter.com/allisonkilkenny

Comments

[meko]

The reason why I bring up Illinois politics is that it's politics that is based on fame and connections that creates the corruption.

If Caroline Kennedy is appointed to this position, then every public official in New York is again reminded that there is no substitute for connections and fame. That they must do whatever is necessary to get the cash and influence that will move them to the next level.

The idea that the purity of her blood lines and wealth guarantee her good service ignores the fact that such blatant cronyism undermines the democratic system.

Besides, New Yorkers don't have a say. It's an appointment. The only people they've had a say about are the ones who've run for one office or another who've been elected.

[moonwatcher]

I fail to see why this is anybody's business but the people of New York. Carolyn Kennedy has lived longer in New York than Hillary. It is natural for her to want to be involved. Politics are in her blood line.
I'm sure she will be a good Senator if appointed. Her uncle Ted's voting record shows concern for the average person. I'm sure she would be very much like him. At any rate if appointed, the New York public will get to see her record.

[meko]

I'm from Illinois, and pay-to-play is all about the family dynasty.

Rod Blagojevich, son-in-law of Mell,
Jesse Jackson Jr., son of Jesse Jackson
Emil Jones Jr, son of Emil Jones
Todd Stroger, son of John Stroger

Cronyism is the opposite of meritocracy. No matter how talented Kennedy is, if she is appointed to this position without having ever been elected anywhere, she is keeping the door open for Jeb Bush and Todd Stroger. Even they went through the formalities. Why can't she?

[meko]

Must be nice to be able to order a senate seat over the phone like it's a pizza.

[loper2008]

that's politics

but a relative unknown can rise from the ashes ... obama beat clinton.

[Lisa-G]

Yes, he came from nowhere and rose like a phoenix with nothing but his good looks and good sense. Thanks for the laugh. All hail the establishment! But if it makes you feel any better, I do believe he will throw us little people a bone or two. I did vote for him for that reason.

[melponeme k]

Yes! We need to stand up against the Elites and their misuse of power.

[SethBLiNK]

"Caroline Kennedy is also subtly pressing her bony elbow into the back of David Paterson, demanding what is rightfully hers. I write "rightfully" because...ya' know...she's a Kennedy, and we're supposed to live under their rule until Jesus comes back, I think. That's written in the Constitution, or something."

Another blogger here complains that Kennedy took her case directly to Paterson rather than to the people. Ms. Kilkenny is complaining that Caroline is "subtley pressing her bony elbow into the back of Paterson, demanding what is rightfully hers."

As I see it, she is going about this the same way everybody does. By expressing her interest and circling her wagons. That she has more wagons or is more adept at circling them just shows her suitability to the job.

Yes people who are rich and well-born over those of us who are not. This is neither new nor wrong. It's still a meritocracy, but with a variety of factors being counted as merit.

This reminds me of American Idol when somebody who the judges feel is not a good singer gets voted off. Invariably the judges say, "this isn't a popularity contest" which is laughable because anything involving the votes of the public is certainly a popularity contest. So it is with elections.

Get used to it. Deal with it.

[rroy]

Political affiliations aside(I consider myself a pretty staunch Liberal),I am getting a little tired of and aprehensive about dynasties and families solidifying political power in this country.
We have seen decades of Soonoonoos­(sp),Tafts­,Rockerfel­lers,Kenne­dys,etal,s­tepping into the political arena and achieving power almost as if it was a divine right assured them by family ties.
I most certainly want as many Liberals in power as possible,but I want them in power because of their image,character and ability to lead,not their family ties!

[zann]

Important difference between Schumer and Kennedy: he takes, she gives.
Difference between Hilary Clinton and Caroline Kennedy: they both come in at the top because of wealth and name recognition, but at least Kennedy is really from New York.

[ESerafina42]

Difference between Hillary Clinton and Caroline Kennedy: Hillary actually RAN for the seat, and won the respect of the redder parts of the state. She didn't ask for it to be handed to her on a silver platter.

[Beec]

Allison your confusing,
If I interpret your article right you must be clairvoyant. I mean you have Caroline pegged as another paid and brought politician 2 yrs before she has to run.
Also accordiung to your logic where does Barack Obama fit into this? We all know how he raised money for his campaign.
Lastly, since it's a sin for Caroline to run or want to run for Senator who do you suggest? Real people please.

[glorialovelace]

It's not a sin for Caroline to want to run for the Senate. It is a sin for her and her rellies to demand that she be APPOINTED without having to run at all, especially since there are better candidates for that seat who would thereby be bypassed.

[rcwblessed]

Caroline has not demanded anything. She has asked Governor Paterson to consider her for the seat. Please stop spreading information that is untrue.

[rgersmrk]

I find it ironic that 18 million voters voted for a person in the Democratic primary who felt "entitled" to the role of POTUS, carpetbagged the seat Caroline Kennedy is currently seeking and now complain about elitism.

Why the nastiness now? Why the cynicism now?

It's not like Hillary Clinton did anything significant other than playing the role of first lady when she took that Senate seat. At least Caroline Kennedy has lived in New York most of her life.

[Hawise]

Hillary Clinton campaigned and she campaigned hard and even with flaws in that campaign she was able to convince 18 million people that maybe, yeah, she might do as POTUS. This is not a comparable situation at all and if you don't know that then where do you live- Antarctica?

Caroline Kennedy is asking to be appointed to a position that is up for renewal in 2 years. She is asking it of a Governor whose position is up for renewal in 2 years. He wasn't elected to his position, she won't have been elected to hers and he will need a good campaigner to back him up on all the unpopular decisions that he has to make as a Governor during an economic downturn. She is being sold on name recognition and her ability to raise funds because in the political world that is the only currency that she has because she has never run for office before for herself or anyone else. (In the Obama campaign all she really offered was her name recognition and fund raising skills.) Paterson needs to be a pragmatist on this choice and Caroline Kennedy isn't that choice.

[Elderlady]

Caroline Kennedy, surviving daughter of Assassinated President John F. Kennedy. Niece of Assassinated Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Sister of John Kennedy, Jr., who died, under very mysterious circumstances, in a plane crash.

She has a law degree. She is an author.

She, understandably did not seek the public eye, for many years.

However, she has worked with the City of New York for years to improve the school system.

She was born into a "political" family. Many of her cousins, and an uncle remain in politics.

Some are Congressmen, one was the Lt. Governor of Maryland. Some endorsed Clinton for President.

Some, along with Caroline Kennedy, endorsed Obama.

Hillary Clinton had never held "elected" office prior to becoming Senator from New York.

The seat she ran for, and was elected to, was once was held by Jack Kennedy.

All these PUMAS need to stuff a sock in it.

Caroline Kennedy is uniquely qualified for public office.

She will make an outstanding Senator.

[bluestatelib]

This was a lot of fluff, but not a single good reason for thinking Kennedy will make "an outstanding Senator." And I'm no PUMA.

[WilliePilgrim]

You make a compelling argument. I am trying to keep in mind that the seat of senator was not originally intended to be one filled by a candidate by direct election but was to be an appointment, thereby balancing out the tendency for the electorate to fill their leadership with the merely popular and promising sort, and to have it balanced with someone that the leadership thought was uniquely qualified and would put the interest of the state over the interests of the relatively naive voter.
Since the 17th amendment in the early part of the 20th century, the seat of Senator has been filled by direct election and we've seen the size of the budget bloom, paid for by income taxes, with little sense of restraint. I don't see Carolilne Kennedy calling for the repeal of the 17th amendment, and I think only Zell Miller and Ron Paul have actually suggested it be repealed, but perhaps this high profile move will bring it into public focus. It would be a tough nut to crack as we are rather force fed the idea that direct democracy is somehow divinely inspired. The founding fathers had greater insight it seems.

[ESerafina42]

I would rather have the seat filled by the state legislature, which was the original way, than by one person who is susceptible (as they all are) to bribery (in whatever form) or pressure.

[michyh]

Really well stated. Cant' say much more than that.
Power to the people!

[BigBagel]

Maybe we should apologize for the unpleasantness caused by Jefferson, Washington and the rest of those troublemakers and invite the queen back to rule us. We might as well institutionalize family rule since we desire it so much. Down with merit up with DNA.

[karela]

It takes money to campaign. It takes money to run ads. It takes money to get the word out to the people. Whether you like it or not, it takes money. Caroline has fund raised $65 million dollars for New York schools in the past couple of years. She's better at it than anybody but Obama. Whoever is appointed to this seat has to meet the basic criteria of being able to raise enough money to run back to back campaigns in 2010 and again in 2012 for a full term. That's gonna take some skill. Caroline has led a life of integrity and she is incorruptible. Anybody with less fund raising skills and connections is going to be almighty tempted to trade favors for donations. Caroline won't. Ever. She has plenty of skill for this job. She also has the ability to hold that seat over time for the Democratic party without selling her votes. The number one thing we need beyond the skills to do the job is integrity. Caroline Kennedy has it.

[glorialovelace]

She doesn't have integrity if she is trying to slip into this Senate seat in such a back-door kind of way.

Real integrity would be placing your program and your creds before the public and actually running for something.