Kennedy Begins Campaign For Senate

By: Kevin Hechtkopf
Topics: Congress

(AP)

As Caroline Kennedy begins drumming up support for her bid to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate, the reactions to such a move keep coming in from all quarters.

This morning on The Early Show, Rev. Al Sharpton and Susan Molinari, a former congresswoman from New York, weighed in on what they thought of her possible appointment.

Sharpton said that while he was not formally supporting anyone to be picked, he thought Kennedy was "qualified to run." He also reacted to those who say she does not have qualifications for the office beyond name-recognition — by pointing out that Clinton was once in the same boat

Video:
Clinton: Kennedy Is Qualified

"She's succeeding someone that had faced the same arguments if in fact the governor appoints her," Sharpton said.

Molinari praised Kennedy, but also questioned whether she had the drive to engage in the retail politics and to fight for New York in the Senate.

"Particularly at a time like this, you need to be able to have almost — excuse the expression — but razor blades on your elbows," she said. "Whoever represents New York state going into all the major problems that we're going to be having over the economy — there will be major fights for the TARP funds. Do they go to the companies in Michigan or the banks in New York? Highway bills, stimulus packages. It will be New York versus every other state. Does she have sort of that gumption to get in there and push other states out of the way and fight for New York?" (

Watch more of Sharpton and Molinari from the Early Show.

)

Meanwhile, in the New York Times today, H. Carl McCall, the Democratic candidate for New York governor in 2002, also questioned Kennedy's experience for the job.

"But I think the real issue here is, do you want someone who is a celebrity and comes from the right family and gives the sense that this is something for a person of privilege? Or do you go with someone who has paid some political dues, for whom you have a sense of how they might perform," he said. "She's never been tested, and there are a lot of people out here who have been."

But on the flip side, Ed Koch, the former mayor of New York City, gave her a hearty endorsement in the Times.

"I think that she will be a superb senator," Koch told the paper. "She's paid her dues and more."

Kennedy has another big name supporter in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. While in his home state of Nevada yesterday, he called her a "wonderful" choice, reports the Associated Press.

The issue of dynasties in American politics is also coming into play in the reaction to her candidacy. Politico wrote about how Democrats seem to be embracing "dynasty politics" with Kennedy and other family members of well-known people eyeing Senate seats. (Read more)

In the article, New York Republican Rep. Peter King, who is considering running for the seat in 2010, questioned why voters would support well-known people over "worked in the trenches" but he also gave an answer. "Americans always say they don't like royalty and hereditary connections," King said. "On the other hand, they really like families like the Kennedys."

Kennedy herself is trying to drum up support for her bid in upstate New York today. In a brief statement to reporters in Syracuse, N.Y., Kennedy said she "would be honored" to be considered for the spot, reports the AP. She is beginning an upstate tour to counteract critics who say she is too tied to New York City interests.

"I just wanted to say, as some of you may have heard, I would be honored to be considered for the position of U.S. senator," Kennedy said. "There are lot of good candidates the governor is considering and he's laid out a process and I'm proud to be in that process."

Syracuse City Councilor Stephanie Miner told this to the AP after meeting with Kennedy: "She said she had been thinking about this for a while, previous to this vacancy coming open… I think what's she's trying to do is to show to people she's more than a celebrity,"

Later Wednesday, Kennedy made another stop in Rochester, N.Y., where she made an effort to start diffusing her critics.

"I just hope everybody understands that it is not a campaign but that I have a lifelong devotion to public service," she said, according to the AP. "I've written books on the constitution and the importance of individual participation. I think I really could help bring change to Washington."

The appointment lies with Gov. David Paterson, who has not said much about which way he is leaning.

Also See: Caroline Kennedy's life in photos.

Kevin Hechtkopf
Kevin Hechtkopf is CBSNews.com's politics editor.
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by faletinme December 19, 2008 12:48 AM EST: Of course you''re from Kansas so, honestly, *** would you know. I agree she would be a typical pick, airhead pick from a corrupt political family who''s never really worked a day in her life. Who''s "meaningful fundraising" activities amount to swapping cash with her similarly fraudulent friends. I''ll bet Caroline doesn''t even know where Kansas is. Fool.; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 December 19, 2008 12:35 AM EST: I think this is probably up to the people of New York, but I think she would be a fine pick.; Reply to this comment


by faletinme December 19, 2008 12:10 AM EST: If Caroline were honest she would have the decency to avoid the stench her appointment would cast on American politics. Unfortunately she is a Kennedy for who only personal avarice and lewd ambition have meaning.

If she wants a Senate seat she should start at the city council level and work her way up like anyone else. Instead she''ll parlay the family name to start at her level of incompetency. Where once she had respect she is now revealed for the vile political sucubus she is. Shame on you Caroline.

NY should have a Senator of color, but then Paterson is color blind!....oh wait he''s everything blind..but he loves the smell of *** outside his marriage. Wonder if Caroline''s been there.; Reply to this comment


by downsteamjim December 18, 2008 9:13 PM EST: Apparently she has Al Sharpton''s blessing, that proves she has the racist vote.; Reply to this comment


by hamiltongrad December 18, 2008 6:13 PM EST: I support her bid. She is honest and knows New York City, and soon the rest of the State. She will bring energy to the office. But, if she is qualified, based upon her being, so was Gov Palin. I would hope that C. Kennedy also goes through a tough questioning by CBS NEws on a Gotcha here and there as well. If not, there is terrible bias.
I will never see it happen.; Reply to this comment


by colonieny December 18, 2008 4:14 PM EST: She has all the qualifications. And she is thin, too. I think she will be honest, and capable, and gain attention to issues that will help all the people of NYS. Little Cuomo, on the other hand, has a history of bad judgment,including forcing people into homes that they could not afford, and forcing banks to make bad loans.; Reply to this comment


by credibility2 December 18, 2008 4:01 PM EST: At least Hillary had been involved in politics in various ways for years. Caroline has been involved in politics via DNA and her recent foray on the political podium endorsing Obama. Seems very sparse. I think Cuomo is the best bet.; Reply to this comment


by barbjc1 December 18, 2008 1:40 PM EST: Xlib,how observant of you. I did not realize she had dropped her married name. If that isn''t a political ploy, nothing is. What are her qualifications anyway besides being a Kennedy?
JF Kennedy has been immortalized because he was assasinated. He was only in office not 2 years before it happened. I don''t remember him doing anything spectacular except creating the Peace Corps, so when is he going to stop being made godlike.; Reply to this comment


by observantx December 18, 2008 12:44 PM EST: Caroline Kennedy may be a good candidate for Senator. However, there has been a drift in our government institutions to having family members occupying positions in government.

This is not Great Britain. We should be very wary of this trend. We broke away from England because of the abuses of monarchy and we are going down the path to being ruled by an inherited institution.

To put it bluntly, we don%u2019t need or should want any more Clintons, Bushes, Kennedy%u2019s, or whoever building their own little dynasties. We%u2019ve seen the latest dynastic boil fester on the collective backside for the last eight years. That should be example and lesson enough.; Reply to this comment


by azoldtimer December 18, 2008 11:08 AM EST: This will be the first real challenge for the party going, Manhattan socialite. Can she find upstate New York for her listening tour?
Also would the name Caroline Schlossberg attract the same attention or name recognition. She clings to the Kennedy name as though it were a shield. I have no objection to her running for election. I do have a problem with her as a legacy appointment by a Governor who is also appointed.; Reply to this comment