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Written on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 at 10:53am by Alan Bedenko | 21 Comments

If Not Caroline, then Who?

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21 Comments

  1. Jim says:
    December 17, 2008 at 11:29 am

    Do You Hear What I Hear?
    Are you ready for a stranger to western New York to be the next junior U.S. Senator from the Empire State?

    Caroline Kennedy began meeting with the mayors of upstate Wednesday. A listening tour, it was called by the Buffalo News. Reported visits planned for Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo means she’s at least making symbolic visits to… how did Eliot Spitzer put it… Appalachia, before accepting what appears to be a pending appointment from Governor David Paterson.

    Should this region have taken seriously the gov’s consideration of upstate candidates when he opened the campaign for Hillary Clinton’s soon-to-be vacated Senate seat?

    Or should it have recalled who was one of the first people to rise before a divided Democratic electorate in the late winter and declare that Barack Obama, not Clinton, should be the party’s presidential nominee.? That would be Kennedy. That has to be worth something, right, especially when your choice gets the keys to the White House?

    Kennedy’s qualifications are sure to be challenged. Some may even come from New York City, where Kennedy’s candidacy was born. Will she be able to stand up to it? Or will it arrive in time to give New Yorkers a chance to validate the contempt shown for political dynasties the last eight years?

  2. Buffalo Blood Donor says:
    December 17, 2008 at 11:30 am

    At least half of those on the survey are at least as qualified as Caroline Kennedy.

    I notice that your name is not on the list. Perhaps you should add it.

    BBD

  3. Restaino says:
    December 17, 2008 at 11:36 am

    Caroline is perfect for the job. Remember, if a WNY is appointed they will be buried by the downstate Republican in 2010. So what is really accomplished by appointing anyone from WNY for 18 months??

  4. WNYPMH says:
    December 17, 2008 at 11:44 am

    Now that you list all the WNY choices out like that…Kennedy doesn’t sound too bad.

  5. lefty says:
    December 17, 2008 at 11:46 am

    @ Restaino

    Same BS message with no backing. Once again, why is Caroline perfect for the job? Let me save you the time and say that asking others who is better is not the right answer.

  6. Restaino says:
    December 17, 2008 at 11:57 am

    @ lefty….If the appointment is from Upstate…the appointee will be defeated in 2010 by the downstate Republican…Is this really that hard to understand?

  7. Dave A says:
    December 17, 2008 at 12:39 pm

    I would support Cuomo; he has the ability to win in 2010, and he has a public record to stand on.

  8. hank says:
    December 17, 2008 at 2:08 pm

    Cuomo would support Cuomo too! But his divorce from Caroline’s cousin Kerry notwithstanding, he thinks she would be a good pick as well.

    Caroline has a BA from Harvard and a JD from Columbia. She’s a member of both the DC and NY Bar.
    HRC is a lawyer too, And Wellesley and Yale are comparitive pedigrees.
    HRC Failed the DC Bar exam, and is a member of the AR Bar.

    Caroline has published 5 books.
    HRC is a published author too.

    Caroline has lived in NYC since 1964, except when in College.
    HRC hadn’t lived in NYS for 20 minutes when she began to run for that seat.

    So Caroline is a downstater, but she’s more of a New Yorker than HRC ever dreamed of being.

    Toss in Caroline as the Princess of Camelot,daughter of a martyred and beloved President— looking to be appointed to a seat held by her late uncle, a REAL icon of the Democratic Party and also beloved as was her father by millions of voting Baby Boomers who identify with her and have watched her grow up.

    And just for Spice—Patterson has to run in 2010. Caroline would be in a Special Election in 2010 as well. Does he want to hit the trail with Caroline, or Brian Higgins? PLEASE.

    Caroline has every qualification that HRC has, plus a last name that is one of the only that could be considered American Royalty.

    Forget the poll. If she wants it, Patterson will give it to her if he has one ounce of political savvy.

    Considering Caroline’s work raising money for the NYC school system, she’s already done more for NYS that Clinton did in the Senate.

    So whats the issue? SURE it would be nice for an upstater to have the seat. But due to the massive population drain from Albany and all points west, you don’t have the votes to keep an upstater in there.

    Considering the choices, I think a Kennedy will have more clout for NYS than Cuomo or any other possibility.

  9. mike says:
    December 17, 2008 at 2:19 pm

    Who just posted that comment? It is a fake hank or is hank leting his freak flag fly?

  10. The Wizard says:
    December 17, 2008 at 3:14 pm

    I voted “other”, as in Jon Powers.

  11. pirate's code says:
    December 17, 2008 at 3:23 pm

    I voted “other” as well, but in the interest of balance, wrote in mike hudson.

    He’s written a book about organized crime, why not have him experience it first hand in Washington? How about it, mike? You in?

  12. Dave A says:
    December 17, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    The difference between CKS and HRC is that we elected HRC, with the belief that she was best able to represent our needs and concerns in Washington. CKS will be chosen by one man with no conern for the public welfare, but to only serve his reelction camapign and the needs of the party.

  13. Jon Splett says:
    December 17, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    I voted for Jimmy Griffin’s Corpse.

    Grab a 6 pack and sit tight!

  14. The Wizard Jr says:
    December 17, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    I too voted other and pulled the lever for Jon Powers…

  15. Ben McD says:
    December 18, 2008 at 12:29 am

    I love how the latte kid has the second most votes.

  16. Dave A. says:
    December 18, 2008 at 12:32 am

    I’m surprised there’s not a spot for Turner Gill.

  17. Ben McD says:
    December 18, 2008 at 12:46 am

    Dave A,

    Obviously the folks at Auburn initiated the poll.

  18. TheRover says:
    December 18, 2008 at 6:25 am

    Dave A -”CKS will be chosen by one man with no conern for the public welfare, but to only serve his reelction camapign and the needs of the party.”

    NYS democrats in a nutshell. And don’t forget about feeding the unions and community organizers.

  19. wizards cousin mizard says:
    December 18, 2008 at 8:06 am

    Powers for Senate!

  20. Starbuck says:
    December 18, 2008 at 11:23 am

    Here’s the answer but Paterson won’t think of it.

    Colin Powell, as a newly converted Democrat. He’d be happy to convert – could say Limbaugh, Huckabee, Giuliani, and Palin all drove him away from the GOP.

    Star power, qualified, great relations with Obama when the state needs favors. Grew up in NYC. Ensures diversity of at least one black in the Senate. Won’t get in Schumer’s way about anything.

    He’d run unopposed in 2010 for remainder of term but could say he won’t run again in 2012, so all Dem factions could be happy the path would be clear for whoever wants to run then. For Paterson, it would be respected as a quality choice that won’t thrill anyone but couldn’t be criticized much except by the far left.

  21. hank says:
    December 18, 2008 at 2:47 pm

    @ mike–don’t know nuthin’bout no freak flag, nearly the entire population of NYS–what’s left of it anyway, seem to be brainwashed into believing that the Democrats are going to save your asses, even though they’ve been dragging WNY down the drain for over 50 years.

    So be a fucking pragmatist and vote for the only logical choice.
    ME
    George Tirebiter

    Paid for by the Tirebiter for political solutions committee, sector R