The New York Times is reporting that Caroline Kennedy is withdrawing from consideration as a Senate replacement for Hillary Clinton, who is now secretary of state.
Here's more from the Times:
On Wednesday she called the governor, David Paterson, who is making the selection of who should succeed Senator Hillary Clinton. Her concerns about Senator Edward M. Kennedy's deteriorating health (he was hospitalized after a seizure during the inaugural lunch on Tuesday ) prompted her decision to withdraw, this person said. Coping with the health issues of her uncle, with whom she enjoys an extraordinarily close bond, was her most important priority; a situation not conducive to starting a high profile public job.She was planning to issue a statement on Wednesday evening.
Ms. Kennedy's decision comes nearly two months after she, along with several members of Congress and leading political officials, began auditioning to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton in the coveted position.
Paterson reportedly will make his Senate choice public on Saturday. Clinton formally resigned from the Senate Wednesday, after being confirmed by her Senate colleagues and then being sworn into the new post.
My guess is in addition to reading the writing on the wall she doesn't really want to work that hard and Chappy's(aka.Teddy) health issue is a convenient exit strategy.Sometimes things work out on their own.
I am so glad she dropped out. I have nothing against Caroline, but if she wants to get involved in government service she should do it
by running a campaign and getting elected fair and square.
The latest update is that Gov. Paterson has chosen Kirsten Gillibrand as NY Senator, a two year, upstate congresswoman who has a 100% rating from the National Rifle Association. Rep.Carolyn McCarthy is already up in arms (pun intended) and rightfully, since her husband was killed in an avalanche of bullets on NY Amtrak, not to mention her son having been maimed in the same assault. McCarthy has been courageously sponsoring gun control legislation ever since.
I don't think Caroline Kennedy was the right person for the moment, though she is thoughtful and intelligent. I would have wished for the appointment of Carolyn Maloney who has earned her way up the Congressional ladder and deserved a shot at it. In my opinion, Paterson's choice was influenced by his election prospects for 2010 and he wanted to shore up UPSTATE support through Gilliland's selection. Today's NY Times describes Paterson as a Governor who botched the whole process by his leaks that discredited Caroline Kennedy and that somehow offended the Cuomos and Clinton. Where are all these Carolyn's (ine's) coming from? Watch for Cuomo to challenge Paterson for Gov in 2010 and for Carolyn McCarthy to either run herself in the Senatorial primary challenging Gilliland, or to suggest another name in the party who should take up the cause.
I kind of agree Jim, I was sort of hoping she didn't get picked because there wasn't any real reason why she should. I think I'd like to see her in politics but she should work to earn her way in. Notice how quick the pick came after she dropped out too.
So in a strange way I thought the same as Brian here...Uncle Ted's health was a good exit out of an awkward situation for everyone.
From what I've heard of Ms. Gillibrand, not only is she pro-gun, but she thinks balancing the federal budget is her highest fiscal priority. In good times, that would have made sense. But in this recession, worrying about balancing the federal budget is like being concerned about conserving water while your house is on fire. I think almost anyone else might have been better, including Ms. Kennedy.
Do I understand correctly that to be an acceptable female in politics she must claw her way up? Acumen and exposure to politics count for nothing? Would Caroline Kennedy be more acceptable had she served on some whistle stop city council?
Had it helped if she would have have carried out some Hatfield/McCoy type family feud like Nicole Parra, or abuse power in a family feud like Sarah Palin? Or flex muscles and go on junkets to India instead of being around hammering out a state budget? Or if she had curried favor with organizations like the powerful National Rifle Association?
I am glad that she had withdrawn for consideration to fill Hillary Clinton's senate post. o everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes) and this is not a season for women of superior education, ethics and strong convictions to be seeking participation in the field of national politics. But "The Times They Are A-Changin'..." (Bob Dylan)
How happy are you about $128,000 per year job handed to Parra by Schwarzenegger for political services rendered. We all know what those services were, but nobody, not even Parra know what the job is. Our State Income Tax refund last year was less than $25.00. I can live with a useless IOU.