Caroline Kennedy, We Hardly Know Y -- Wait, We Don't Know You At All!

New Yorkers have always had an interesting relationship with future Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. We weren't quite sure what to make of it when she moved into our state -- apparently for the sole purpose of running for one of our senate seats -- and we really didn't know what to do with her during the now notorious race against Rick Lazio. We do know now -- as 2009 rolls out -- that for the most part we really like and admire the tough-as-nails Sen. Clinton, and that she has done a pretty good job in her role. She is battle-hardened enough to satisfy even the gruffest of NY dwellers, yet thoughtful enough to be genuine. We wish her well as a member of President Obama's cabinet.

With Senator Clinton soon to leave the legislative branch, our betwixted Gov. Patterson has to perform a Constitutionally-mandated duty of choosing the much-discussed newbie. This is an awe-inspiring and worthy task; just ask Governor F-Word! One perspective name that seems to be circulating through the hallowed and varied halls of New York is that of a certain Ms. Kennedy -- daughter of the last Obama. While Kennedy certainly meets the legal requirements to become a U.S. Senator, I have to wonder if she is up to the task of being one of New York's crucial legislators.

New Yorkers (like me since birth) strongly dislike non-authentic types. We don't do bullshit. If you aren't going to talk straight, we wish you'd get out of our way. There are millions of people in our state and surely someone will give us what we need. That said, when Ms. Kennedy gave an interview to the New York Times, she repeated the phrase "you know" an astounding 142 times. One hundred and forty two! I mean... Palin may have been a public catastrophe, but she has to be cackling now.

Ms. Kennedy, we don't know. We want to find out (preferably now) what qualifies you to be in the Senate as opposed to, say, a public servant at a lower level. We want to know why the interest to become a political figure? All of a sudden? Why after 50 years of "leave me alone and let me raise my children in peace"-iness are you so anxious to serve and be bugged by people like me. Mostly though, why you don't deserve comparisons to our dear friend from Alaska, who was ridiculed even by those who did not doubt her.

Objectively speaking, Mrs. Palin has infinitely more political experience than La Kennedy. Palin has been elected to municipal office and statewide office, two not small feats, and was (still is) widely lampooned as "not experienced enough" for a shot at Washington. If she lacks the stuff, what does Ms. Kennedy have besides the new president's nod to escape this double-standardized criticism?

Look, Caroline (can we call you Caroline?) -- fact is, we love Teddy. He's a good man We worshiped your Uncle Robert from afar. We adored Dad, and because we, like she, epitomized New York, we were infatuated with your mother. We want to like you too. But we're smart and see through the noise.

Please give us something of substance. And add a decent public speaking course to your resume. Or your argument stops at "Gee, my name is Kennedy... you know?"

I'm Richard Laermer of the book 2011: Trendspotting. More like this at Laermer.com.

Comments

[meko]

I think NOW and Gloria Steinem have the best approach: Make Carolyn Moloney the senator. She's proposed and had passed a great deal of progressive legislation and is taking questions from the public (not just powerbrokers) upstate right now.

Then, Caroline Kennedy, who lives in NY's 14th district can take that congressional seat. She can gain experience and raise funds on behalf of her fellow NY Democrats. Everybody wins.

[gisellestwocents]

Well, I'm a native New Yorker and I know enough about Caroline Kennedy to want her as the next U.S. Senator for the state of New York. She has the intellect, the background, the connections and the moral compass to be every bit as effective as Hillary has been. In fact, the only one that I would choose over her would be Bill Clinton himself.

I really don't know what David Paterson is waiting for. Cuomo is already AG, why be any more disruptive of state governance than necessary? Why not add to the ranks of influential Democrats officially working on behalf of the state of New York?

The CK choice is win - win and it is PETTY to take issue with her pedigree. THAT happpens to provide her with a level of influence, entry, experience and exposure that few have the qualifications to even contemplate much less assess. She's for the people and that's nothing to whine about. That's something to celebrate.

CK's critics need to get over themselves and put the people first!!!

CAROLINE KENNEDY FOR U.S. SENATE!!!

[meko]

Some of CKs critics are the people.

If someone wishes to be a senator, I think their public service shouldn't disqualify them. Even if Cuomo or Moloney is appointed the senate seat, I'm sure they'd help whomever took their transition into the job. Furthermore, the elections for congressional representatives are every two years anyway, so it's not that disruptive for someone to take the place of a congressional rep.

[Citizen13]

Caroline is an american princess with a brain!

Palin is the american version of Ozzie Osbourne (can't even compare her to Sharon).

[meko]

People have this idea that money will buy any election. But it didn't work for Steve Forbes or Michael Huffington. Hillary Clinton tried the "my opponent isn't a big enough name or can't draw big enough donors to win in the general election" line against Obama. It didn't work in the primary and it turned out to be untrue in the general election.

The Kennedy name may evoke a lot of emotions across the nation, but I don't think she has much "star power" when it comes to local voters in an off-Presidential year election (which 2010 will be). She's not an orator. She doesn't come off as "one of us."

Appointed senators rarely earn reelection (http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/12/appointed-senators-rarely-win-re.html). Those who are chosen for family names do particularly poorly. Those who are chosen for recent legislative experience do comparatively well. That fact seems to work against Ms. Kennedy's favor.

So it's a shame that the Kennedy PR machine seems to be blocking out all the democrats who vote. Nydia Velazquez, Jerry Nadler, Carolyn Maloney, even Andrew Cuomo have done more to benefit the people through their service than she has in all of her part-time jobs. They have voting records in office (while she hasn't voted in half of the past 38 contested elections). But none of them are princesses. What can you do? It's not really democracy.

[gisellestwocents]

Except for Cuomo, none of the individuals that you mentioned has faced a state wide contest, so your "democracy" test would not apply. And just because a Representative is popular within his or her district, that doesn't mean that he or she can win a state wide election. I think that CK would win handily over any of the individuals that you mentioned (most of whom I am almost totally unfamiliar with, BTW). But IF any of these worthy individuals can beat CK in the 2010 primary -- so be it. That's democracy.

However, this is an appointment, not an election and the governor now has a unique opportunity to bring something new to New York's table.

Those elected officials that you mentioned are in place. Why be disruptive of the status quo unless absolutely necessary? Why not appoint someone who will ADD to the ranks of influential Democrats working for the state in an official capacity on the hill? I can see why a R would have a problem with that; but it is extremely short-sighted and/or self-serving for any Dem to take issue with that. IMO...

[MaryinNY]

I would be honored to have Caroline Kennedy serve as New York Senator. So Caroline is America"s darling " is that supposed to be a negative? The woman is intelligent, principled, dedicated and capable. She has interacted with world leaders literally since she could walk and talk. She comes from a family that can easily steer her political campaigns that will be required in the coming years. She is an exemplary model of dignity and many other good things " not the least of which is motherhood. Are there other qualified candidates? Of course, but all things are relative. And I can think of no other candidate that can hold a candle to what Caroline Kennedy could bring to the job " an intimate knowledge of Washington while still being an outsider, a face for New York that will not only benefit her in the Senate but internationally, and a public trust that is lacking with most elected officials. The list goes on " Caroline would bring immeasurable stature and reason to New York and National politics. To those who would deny her this seat on the same merits (celebrity, life-long political connectedness, Ivy League degree, life of public service), I say they should have their head examined, and their ulterior motives as well.

[meko]

I don't think it's a question of denying Caroline Kennedy a senate seat, but simply of wanting to choose the most qualified person.

Not everyone believes that Kennedy's family relations, and the social opportunities they brought, are more valuable than the experience that NY's congresspeople have in proposing and passing legislation.

And not everyone sees Caroline Kennedy as an outsider - sometimes when people say outsider, they're talking about not having access to the corridors of power. That certainly isn't the case with Caroline Kennedy. In fact, her access to power is considered one of her greatest attributes.

One doesn't have to have to be insane or have an ulterior motive to value work experience in a legislative body in the choice of a senator. You don't have to be mean, or insane, to think someone else might be more qualified to be a senator than Caroline Kennedy is at this time.

[Laermer]

Ok, the prospective/perspective booboo was ridiculous; mea culpa. But someone in copy-edit changed my "La" Kennedy to Lady Kennedy (I'd never use that honorific because it IS stupid) So I changed the Lady., As for how smart she is, I don't need to know., The fact is, she's not a Senator. You have to crawl, walk, run. This isn't City Council, ObamaEdwards! Thanks for the comment, though. Lots of people wrote me to say I called her the daughter of the "late Obama". I said LAST. And meant it.

[ObamaEdwards]

First of all, it's "prospective" not "perspective."

Second, if you want to know how smart Caroline Kennedy is, read one of her books. I've read them, and I can tell you she's brilliant, she's an attorney who knows a great deal about Constitutional Law. And that's knowledge we need in the senate right now.

Calling this accomplished woman Lady Kennedy is too stupid to require further comment.