The bloviators say that Caroline Kennedy doesn't have enough "experience" in the political world to be a US Senator. "She's not tested," they say. "We don't know her positions."
What they're really saying is that she's not an insider, not part of the old-boy network, and thus not predictable.
Predictability is the key of get-along/go-along politics. Politicians are terrified of anything that may present a risk to them.
For example, I rarely have "big name" politicians on my radio show - for the same reason that Limbaugh, Savage, Levin, Rhodes, Malloy, and other top talk show hosts generally don't - such "famous" politicians will usually only go on a show that they know is "safe," where the host is guaranteed to suck up to them, will agree to narrow and specific questions in advance, won't press or argue with them, and won't go off topic. A few years ago I had a US Senator on about the Iraq war, changed topics and challenged the senator on the bankruptcy bill, and later got a call from a staffer telling me that I'd stepped over the line, that the senator would never come back on, and that this was no way to run a talk show.
That is the world of "back-slapping, old-boy" politics, and if Caroline Kennedy comes into the ultimate Old Boy's club of the senate as an outsider without having first paid proper homage, it could bring America a much-needed Mr. Smith Goes to Washington moment.
There's no doubt she understands politics and loves and cares about her country. Her family has paid the ultimate price for such dedication; her Uncle Joe was shot down during World War II, her Uncle Bobby assassinated, and her father was brutally murdered, all because they believed so much in the promise of this country that they dedicated their lives to her service.
There's no doubt Caroline is savvy and thoughtful; witness the pivotal role she played in the Obama campaign's VP selection process, and campaigning for our next president.
There's no doubt her heart is in the right place; she's spent much of her life helping raise money for education and other public-service projects and organizations.
"But she's never run for public office!" say the bloviators. "It's not small-'d' democratic that she just get appointed to the senate!"
Actually, it is democratic. It's being done according to the rules, and she will shortly face a real election that she'll have to begin considering on her first day in office. This is the heart of the democratic process; living by the rules.
The big fear of the political insider class, though, is that Caroline Kennedy may end up behaving more on the floor of the Senate like an outsider, much like the few politicians I'll have on my show who are not afraid to take listener's calls, be challenged on the air, and deal honestly with tough issues even when we disagree.
Caroline Kennedy as Jimmy Stewart? I, for one, am hopeful and more than willing to set aside my doubts and give her a chance to prove herself from within the US senate.
She's wealthy, famous, and well connected. Her family is a political dynasty. Not a member of "the old boy's club"? Who's writing up those endorsements and letters of reference? Who got an endorsement from Moynihan's widow? The "old boys" come to her for money and donor lists.
She may be smart, she may be committed to public service, she may be a lot of things. But Caroline Kennedy is never going to be the embodiment of The Common Man.
That's a funny analogy.
I detest the fact that I have to frame it this way ... I would much rather not interject gender into the reason why it must be Caroline ... but I also see the kind of women being shoved into the spot light as leaders and wouldn't want my daughters(if I had daughters) to emulate them.
Caroline in all the ways there are carries herself with the poise and elegance that I admire. She doesn't seem to have to be loud to make a point or swill beer to be included as one of us. While I may never meet Caroline I do not get the impression I would be uncomfortable in her presence and more importantly I do not believe she would be uncomfortable in mine.
Moreover ... unlike those who had to morph themselves into someone to be elected Caroline is already someone ... there's no need of pretentions or illusions or visual obfuscations. I was more than comfortable at the role Caroline played in vetting VPs for Obama. Obama got a winner in Joe Biden. Caroline was instrumental in helping to make that choice.
This is a transitive year in politics. The fact that Caroline is not a professional politician and comes to the table with new ideas and new ways of looking at things is a good thing. New York would be well served by Caroline Kennedy.
In any case, we got 'Mr Obama Goes to Washington' instead.
Which is a *great* story which portends well, but enough already.
But I would caution you Mr. Hartmann against a phrase you used, because it could be a disservice to her: "she's not an insider, not part of the old-boy network, and thus not predictable".
It's the same argument used for Sarah Palin. It was her selling point. They morphed it into "maverick". But they did it as though that alone were reason enough to elect her.
You and I, many reading, know that Caroline is no Sarah Palin. Caroline is an intelligent woman, she's got a background in law which by default requires intelligence, she was spoonfed policy - the ability to consider and debate policy - intelligently from the time she took her first spoonful of pablum, she's moved and held her own in intelligent circles. And in case I'm not being clear (roll your eyes I don't blame you a bit) - she's intelligent. She's no Sarah Palin.
But those words as a defense and an excuse were used for Sarah. Please don't use the same selling point. The products are completely different. One's in the basement bargain bin and should have stayed there.
As for whether Caroline's Jimmy Stewart? Well that would depend on whether or not she can she can filibuster well. ;-)
I believe Caroline Kennedy will be a great senator if given a chance.
And you're right. The criteria for VP and a senator are not the same. But I objected to, and meant it sincerely, lumping in her basic skill level using the same words applied to Palin. Palin isn't even qualified for senate because reciting catch phrases all day from 3x5 index cards - I don't think that's going to fly for long in congress. And even if she were - and I write this every chance I get - it was cancelled out by those hate rallies.
That said - Caroline has raw smarts. Being unpredictable or not part of the network shouldn't be, and doesn't need to be, the advertisement for her being offered the job.
Why don't we all just give CKS a hearing on her personal merits, not pre-judge her based on her being famous and rich?
No one with her experience who wasn't named Kennedy would be considered for the appointment. If she wishes to be judged on her merits, she should do what Roosevelt and her forebearers did - run for election.
The mantle seemed lost when John Jr. went down in that tragic flight. There is some unfinished business.