Caroline's Consummate Qualifications

America is transfixed. The world is transfixed. The Kennedy legend promises to open another chapter.

For days, Chinese whispers in the corridors of power trickled through the grapevines of political gossip that, Caroline, the sole surviving child of JFK and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy might be interested in serving in the US Senate. Fueled by the knowledge that her uncle Edward Kennedy is nearing the limits of his service in the Senate, the rumor that Caroline Kennedy might be stepping into her family's niche of history by following in the footsteps of her father and her uncles seemed remote, a pipedream, a fantasy, a paradox of wishful thinking for those nostalgic enough to recall the glamor and momentum of Camelot.

Regarded by many as pure speculation and discounted as highly improbable that Caroline Kennedy could have any conceivable interest whatsoever in subjecting herself and her family to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune concomitant on the position of US Senator, the rumors ended abruptly when Governor Paterson received a telephone call from JFK's daughter stating that she would be interested in the Senate seat soon to be vacated by Hillary Clinton when she is confirmed as Secretary of State in February.

Given the received opinion in the form of contrarian rumors, Governor David Paterson may have been mildly shocked when he told reporters that Caroline Kennedy had telephoned to confirm her intention to seek his appointment with the promise to present her qualifications to the Governor. Sounding just the slightest bit dumbfounded, the Governor told a hastily assembled press conference, "She told me she was interested in the position. She'd like at some point to sit down and tell me what she thinks her qualifications are." Echoing the thunderstruck Governor, the headline in the New York Times proclaimed, "Kennedy Seeks to Prove Qualifications for Senate Bid."

Having made a conscious decision to live quietly in a private life heavily veiled from the white-hot glare of publicity and shielded from the persistent pestering of the paparazzi, Caroline Kennedy is consummately qualified to ascend to the Senate seat once held by her uncle, RFK.

While her family heritage is common knowledge to every school child, Caroline Kennedy's life and achievements have been studiously secluded, but make no mistake -- the qualifications of Caroline Kennedy are remarkable.

As the daughter of the president, she lived in the White House during her early childhood and afterward with her mother in Georgetown and New York. When she was eighteen, she visited London to attend a nine-month art class at Sotheby's. Hosted by the Conservative MP Hugh Fraser, Caroline was chauffeured to and from Sotheby's in an atmosphere of safe, serene and calm security far from the madding turbulence of America where she had lost her father and her uncle to assassination.

However, Caroline's tranquil studies in London were marred when the IRA placed a bomb in Fraser's car that exploded only minutes before she was due to step into it for her daily trip to the venerable auction house. Even though the bomb exploded prematurely thus saving the lives of Caroline and Fraser, the blast killed a passerby who happened to be a distinguished oncologist, Gordon Hamilton-Fairley. This up close and personal confrontation with tragedy shaped the young woman who was already more than well aware of the omnipresent dangers of political assassination.

Upon her return to America, Caroline studied at Harvard and Columbia earning an A. B. and a J. D. In the 1980s, she married Edward Schlossberg and gave birth to three children: Rose; Tatiana and Jack.

Using her skills as an attorney and author, she wrote six books including a legal textbook: In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action as well as the bestsellers -- A Patriot's Handbook and Profiles in Courage for Our Time.

Caroline Kennedy's executive experience includes her service as CEO for the Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education and her Presidency of the Kennedy Library Foundation. She serves on the boards of the Commission on Presidential Debates and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Caroline serves as the Honorary Chair of the American Ballet Theatre, and she is a member of the Advisory Board of the Harvard Institute of Politics.

Working for a formidable variety of charities, Caroline Kennedy has commandeered fundraising drives that have yielded a quarter of a billion dollars for worthy causes - the primary beneficiaries being education, civil rights and the arts.

Over the past year, Caroline Kennedy has gradually raised her public profile in parallel with the news of her uncle's illness and uncertainties about the robustness of his capacity to serve as the ranking New Frontiersman in the Senate. First, she emerged as a prominent backer of the presidential candidacy of Barack Obama. In a statement published in the New York Times titled, "A President Like My Father," Caroline Kennedy wrote:

I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president -- not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.

During the presidential campaign, she contributed the maximum amount to Obama and Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Sensing her capacity to engage with the political dynamic, Barack Obama invited her to serve on his committee for the selection of his Vice-Presidential running mate. The humorist and filmmaker, Michael Moore, beseeched her to "do a Cheney" and name herself as Obama's running mate. In August, she addressed the Democratic National Convention to introduce her august uncle for his immensely popular speech.

The image of a US Senate graced by two Kennedys both bearing the flame of JFK and conjuring the era of Camelot presents a potent concoction of political magic at a critical juncture in American history now seemingly on the threshold of a resurgence of progressive energy and the promise of positive change in the Obama Era.

Follow Michael Carmichael on Twitter: www.twitter.com/alchemistoxford

Comments

[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 (excepting her 6-weeks on behalf of Obama). I think she'll continue to refuse to throw herself behind other democratic candidates in New York. And I expect her wealthy friends will follow.

The New York senate seat, may not be available to anyone but the wealthy. Maybe all the press releases and Kennedy sycophants are right and best the common people can hope for is that the best plutocrat wins.

Hillary sold the "Obama can't raise the money and can't win the general election line" and in NY it worked. So maybe the same line works for the NY senate seat. But I'm not giving them any of my time or money. I don't do volunteer work to further line the pockets of the wealthy and further aggrandize the famous. If the senate is going to be bought by someone, they can buy it themselves.

[ponderingmuch]

Ted Kennedy is not going to be around much longer.

If you agree with his positions, as I do, there is no better an idea than to have at least one senator who holds those same views.

Caroline, all the way!

http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Ted_Kennedy.htm

[meko]

I don't believe the appointment is of Ted Kennedy and I like the idea of surrogates even less than I like the idea of heirs.

I think you'll find that Carolyn Maloney has a very progressive voting record. She's been a powerful advocate for equal rights for women and gays (supporting equal marriage rights from the beginning and introducing legislation to have gay partners covered in the FMLA). Details here: http://maloney.house.gov/index.php?option=com_issues&Itemid=44

So there's no need to bring in a neophyte who we think MIGHT try to push the legislation we want. There are legislators available for the position who HAVE succeeded in advocating the legislation progressives want.

[meko]

Oh me-too, me-too. My dad died when I was young (in the service of his country even). I was so very cute as a toddler. I do volunteer work and fundraising for charities. Many of my parents friends are prepared to write letters that say how smart I am. I don't really want to run for office. I've never done any work in politics, so I don't owe anyone anything. I haven't been quoted extensively in the press, so you can believe that I agree with you on whatever matters most. I support public education and, as I have no children, have never sent my children to a private school.

Gimme, gimme, gimme

[MagisterLudi]

LOL

[Michael Carmichael - Huffpost Blogger]

Many thanks for all comments. Debate is essential to progress, and many good points have been made.

One point that it is crucial is the Kennedy legacy based on the progressive record of Caroline's father, JFK.

As a Senator, JFK supported social welfare and civil rights legislation. During his presidential campaign, JFK defined his vision as the "New Frontier" and advocated the expansion of the New Deal to encompass healthcare with his backing of Medicare; higher federal spending for public education; economic stimulus to end the recession. progressive tax reform and legislation to end racial discrimination.

As President, JFK was far ahead of the Congress. JFK's progressive legislation was defeated by a coalition of Southern segregationists and the usual suspects, Republicans. But, after his assassination, his successor, LBJ, launched a barrage of JFK's legislation that was passed including the historic Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and Medicare. It is sad that JFK had to die for the cause he believed in, but his death shifted the consciousness of America and provided the political platform for the legislation of the New Frontier and Great Society and his massive legacy. LBJ deserves credit for maximizing political support for the progressive Kennedy agenda.

Upon his inauguration, JFK's first act was to create the Peace Corps, an agency that has been relegated in recent decades and deserves a new surge of adrenalin in the aftermath of the Bush-Cheney regime.

Thanks again, for reading the column and making so many salient comments.

[Michael Carmichael - Huffpost Blogger]

Many thanks to all who have posted comments. Debate is essential to progress, and may good points have been raised.

One point that it is crucial is the progressive record of Caroline's father, JFK.

As a Senator, JFK supported social welfare and civil rights legislation. During his presidential campaign, JFK defined his vision as the "New Frontier" and advocated the expansion of the New Deal to encompass healthcare with his backing of Medicare; higher federal spending for public education; economic stimulus to end the recession. progressive tax reform and legislation to end racial discrimination.

As President, JFK was far ahead of the Congress. JFK's progressive legislation was defeated by a coalition of Southern segregationists and the usual suspects, Republicans. But, after his assassination, his successor, LBJ, launched a barrage of JFK's legislation that was passed including the historic Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and Medicare. It is sad that JFK had to die for the cause he believed in, but his death shifted the consciousness of America and provided the political platform for the legislation of the New Frontier and Great Society and his massive legacy. LBJ deserves credit for maximizing political support for the progressive Kennedy agenda.

Upon his inauguration, JFK's first act was to create the Peace Corps, an agency that has been relegated in recent years and deserves a new surge of official adrenalin in the aftermath of the Bush-Cheney regime.

Thanks again, for reading the column and making so many salient comments.

[zann]

She worked for a public school charity, but sent her children to the best private schools. She talks like a democrat but lives like royalty. She doesn't know what its like for real Americans.

[texasnative3]

My Dad died when I was very young also. After that, several more family members died including some cousins. I too was a cute toddler. I am interested in politics but do not really have the stomach for running a campaign. Thus I would like my name submitted to be a United States Senator. I could move to New York or Illinois or, really, just about anywhere. i am really a stand-up person. I am. i really am.

[MagisterLudi]

"Caroline, the sole surviving child of JFK and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy might be interested in serving in the US Senate. "
Only qualification--sole child of JFK.
"Might... be.... interested" I am sorry? ! A big favor of NY Democrats, I see.
What is this a rite of succession? This is getting out of hand.

Reality: a socialite with some connections wants to play power politics.
Only interested becuase no actual work to get the gig is required. Proof? She NEVER ran for office before.
Want to know about her political views? Sorry she grants no interviews. Just refused one from NY Times. If her chances sink, expect a fawning sit down with B. Walters.

[plwood01]

Even though this may come as a surprise to some people, Caroline has always been the secret politician after the deaths of the males in the family. I saw Caroline as the only person who would be able to be educated, groomed, and ready for her Uncle's senate seat when the time came. She has a Juris Doctorate, executive management experience; in fields far away from money making or politics. Her experience is very similar to Obama's, working for the people, trying to do some good! What is wrong with a citizen who has given so much on so many fronts the chance to do more? No other citizen, other than the military families have given so much to their country and for anyone to diminish her qualifications is unAmerican based on the article above. Palin was qualified for VP and the presidency with an iffy undergraduate degree, so why not Caroline, a lng time attorney and philantropists, she is not the same type of opportunistic slacker, plus she is rich in her own right after writing all those books, working, and her husband is no slouch either, She has no need to be corrupt really, plus she has a load of contacts and is ready for diplomatic assignments since she was what 5 years old? I think she should get Cinton's or her uncle's if that falls through.

[MagisterLudi]

"is ready for diplomatic assignments"
Great, I said before she would make a great Ambassador. Especially in Europe. That would an appropriate ( and customary) reward for a short campaign stint for Obama.
But in these troubled times America needs an experienced AND respected politician in the powerful NY Senate seat. Not a socialite house wife that decided to play at politics.
We already have an totally inexperienced President and SOS.
Let Kennedy run in 2010 and prove her mettle.

[ClarkJensen]

You'd thing that the Bush presidency would have been the death knell of of family political legacies, but just the opposite is true as Caroline Kennedy and Jeb Bush and others call in to announce their candidacy.
The power of family political franchising is frightening and it is increasing, not decreasing. Modern politics is looking like our shopping malls that are crowded with franchise stores that have crowded out the "LITTLE GUYS" who find themselves blindsided some father or daughter of a powerful politician.

[plwood01]

Think of Caroline as a Schlossberg as she has been married for many years, that would be a good model for other senators...plus, there has never been anything bad said about her, ever, well until now! Of all the slime balls people have voted for just recently, this would be a real change. Classy, educated, do gooders should not apply, right. Any American can run for the Senate, many have before they had a hefty resume, she is a loyalist to the Democratic Party and has helped Barack a lot. She had the courage to support the underdog, she has good judgment in my book since he won. She has children, that gives her a boost in my opinion because mothers are not so quick to send their children or yours to war! Why not give her a try, you will be surprised at her business acumen because we need someone to help get the economy back on track and Paulson has no idea what a budget is, nor how to handle money, women do.

[Vinquus]

OK that's all nice. Now what are her qualifications?

[MagisterLudi]

Qualifications: 6 week stint campaigning for Obama.

[plwood01]

Obviously, you did not read the article before commenting. Check her out in Who Who's or just put her name in the search engine so you can see for yourself all the things she has done during her adult life. Her credentials are better than Palin's were for VP,plus she is not stupid!

[ElBruce]

Why Mr. Carmichael, I do believe you're so a-flutter you may swoon!

Here's a helpful hint: everybody under 40 is pretty much immune to the whole "Camelot fan club" thing.

However, CK's credentials are at least on par with Hillary's when she took the same post. And as long as the discussion remains not about who in the field is best but whether or not CK is good enough, then she's already won it.

P.S: Paterson always sounds slightly dumbfounded.

[plwood01]

Paterson is too young to remember JFK so like you said, he is not part of the Camelot Fan Club, and by the way, that whole Camelot thing was a fabrication of the media to sell newspapers. None of us even bought into that Camelot thing...but those who studied Shakespeare and mythology in school understood what Camelot meant. In America, there has always been some New England connection to fondness of the aristocracy, so that is where it came in, because the Presidency is supposed to be the closest we come to the monarchy as in Mother England. That is old news, but the point is that if she is qualified, she is eligible and can take the seat if it is given to her. Bump all the other lame reasons why she can't, because she did not have anything to do with anything that her dad, uncle's or grandfather did!

[HaroldPulley]

It does not seem like 48 years ago since we witnessed our President's daughter running across the White House lawn to greet her father. Today's headlines have it right, she was our "Sweet Caroline" then as well as now. She has what is considered a standard degree for political office--she is a lawyer.

In addition to these things, she has been a wife and mother as well as a community servant. Not only does she know how to handle herself as a public persona, but she will have no problem serving the people of New York as their United States Senator.

She has done so many things right. We should expect no less should she get the appointment.

[meko]

So being a cute toddler makes her qualified? A wife and mother?

The woman has never so much as sat through a city council meeting.

Why is it so beneath her to serve in a state or city office before claiming her "due"

[plwood01]

Why must you comment about someone you know nothing about? If you just put her name in the computer her bio comes up from various websites. You should be researching before commenting her and provide some real, critically thought out arguments as to why you still feel she should not become a Senator for the state she has lived in over the last 40 years.

[glorialovelace]

She's not a lawyer. She has never practiced law.

[plwood01]

Caroline Kennedy is an attorney and the editor of the New York Times best selling A Family Christmas; A Patriot’s Handbook; The Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis; A Family of Poems - My Favorite Poetry for Children; and Profiles in Courage for Our Time, and the co-author of The Right to Privacy and In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action.

From 2002-2004, Ms. Kennedy served as chief executive for the Office of Strategic Partnerships for the New York City Department of Education where she helped raise more than $65 million in private support for the city’s public schools. She currently serves as the Vice Chair of The Fund for Public Schools.

Ms. Kennedy is the President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation and a member of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Committee. She is a Director of the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and serves as Honorary Chairman of the American Ballet Theatre.

Ms. Kennedy was born on November 27, 1957. She is a graduate of Harvard University and Columbia Law School. She lives in New York City with her husband Edwin Arthur Schlossberg, president of Edwin Schlossberg Inc., a multi-disciplinary design company that specializes in interactive exhibit design and museum master-planning. Kennedy and Schlossberg were married on July 19, 1986. They have three children.

[nyscribbler]

Many good lawyers dont practice. You can find them in large numbers of positions of leadership and responsibility. Yes, Maurice Hinchey would be better (he wont be chosen). Yes, the others who are actual options being considered may be far worse for NY citizens. If you want to attack her you must answer the question- "Compared to whom?". We could do far worse.

[Scarabus]

Obviously the Kennedy legacy continues: Some people love them, and some people hate them. That includes Jane Hamsher. I wish Carmichael, Hamsher, and others would preface their remarks by saying, "This is why I'm biased [positively or negatively] toward the Kennedy's in general and/or Caroline in particular: X [whatever it is]. Now, having provided that disclaimer and putting personal bias aside, here are the reasons why she should or should not be considered for the job."

[MalleusMaleficarum]

Caroline Kennedy would automatically become a leading progressive voice in the Senate where she will be needed when the former president of the DLC, Evan Bayh is now organizing a right-wing caucus (read; Republican collaborators) to be the equivalent of the Blue Dog Democrats of the House. Obama will need the support of voices like Caroline Kennedy when the Blue Dogs of the Senate side with the Republicans on issues from the withdrawal of troops from Iraq, to the economy to foreign policy and progressive taxation. While Rahm Emanuel is still pushing for to replace Obama with Tammy Duckworth who would join Bayh's putative caucus of Blue Dog Dems in the Senate, it is good to see the progressive side of the Democratic Party coming back to life.

[KeysDan]

How do you know she will be progressive? Where are her policy statements? Her previous positions? Pictures of her in anti- Iraq war demonstrations in 2002? Has she been in any gay parades, has she objected to the exclusion of gays in the St Patrick's day parade? Would she have supported FISA like Mr. Obama, or vote against it, like Mrs. Cllinton? Which version of health care would she advocate, more like her uncle, Obama or Mrs. Clinton? Inquiring voters want to know?Oh, forgot, we don't get to vote on this, she gets appointed by friends in high places. We are left to guess.

[MalleusMaleficarum]

Caroline is a Kennedy, and she supports the progressive policies of her uncle. Against the war in Iraq; against neoconservative foreign policy; for progressive taxation; against FISA -- she is preparing to take over the mantle of JFK and RFK from EMK. That is perfectly clear.

[MagisterLudi]

Progressive? She's no Progressive. Backing Obama for President does not make one a progressive. If she wants to collect on a political favor--Amb­assadorshi­p to some E.U. country with lots of museums. But NOT a backdoor appointment to one of the most powerful offices in the world!

[plwood01]

Of course she is a progressive, but she is also a centrist, perhaps unlike her uncle. Why do I say that? Because she has worked for human rights and the poor, she supported Obama, she is a progressive since morality and family values have escaped those now serving to a large degree, she works for the school system...you don't make a lot of money doing that, plus, the only way this country will progress is for people like her and Obama become the majority of people running the country. She is a progressive because that is the antithesis of the Bush years, if nothing more.

[klondiker]

And from her pen also did burst forth two venerable masterpieces of poetic verse - "My Favourite Poetry for Children" and "Best-Loved Poems of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis" - surely to be remembered in this century, and the next, as the zenith of modern poetry.

[plwood01]

I like her writing and poetry too! She is a intellectual, so naturally a lot of people in this country now, will determine that she is somehow unfit due to the dumbing down of folks in certain regions. Like Obama, they will paint her as an elitest and try to ruin her reputation, the Rovian Style, right? People in this country like the scandals, they make news. Someone working everyday doing what is right are maligned, and told to go away...I don't get it, and Paulson is giving money away to everyone but the working American! We need more women in the Senate and we need more educated, dedicated people who want to improve the nation and rebuild our standing in the world! The world respect her like Hillary, so why not try her out and see what happens. She can't be any worse than the neocons have to offer.

[MagisterLudi]

Plywood look up "irony" and "sarcasm."
And Plywood, people who post otherworldly stuff about Clintons should be last ones to bring up Rovian tactics.