Only one thing in New York is more controversial than Governor Paterson's budget. It is his potential pick to replace Hillary Clinton in the U.S. Senate. Now I've avoided this soap opera drama for the most part but have firmly believed that a family name can't be everything (despite our fondness as a nation for Clinton's, Kennedy's and yes, Bush's).
People love Caroline and she was instantly popular as a name floated for the Senate. Americans have loved her since she was a little girl in her father's White House. Those warm and fuzzies though, cannot simply be enough to put her in the Senate. Yeah, I know she has a record of public service and that is fantastic, but it isn't enough when a Governor has to install appoint someone for an office such as this. As many have said, she hasn't been tested. That is why I agree with a growing consensus of Democrats that Paterson should pick a caretaker (as was done in Delaware) and let Caroline run to be elected in two years.
From The NY Daily News:
In this scenario, at least she'd be elected in a democratic process and not simply be annoited for her name. It should not be as easy as going through your rolodex and calling the key figures of the party establishment in order to represent more than nineteen million New Yorkers. Governor Paterson should do the right thing and not listen to the phone calls of Harry Reid, top NY Dems or even Moynihan's widow, our country should be about the process, not political dynasties.ALBANY - Caroline Kennedy could seal the deal to replace Sen. Hillary Clinton by saying she'll run for the seat in 2010 if she isn't appointed to it, a top Democrat said Tuesday.
"It would scare people away now," the Dem said. "Who would want to take the seat now and have to face her in 2010?"
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