January 1, 2009 10:38 PM

Bill Clinton For N.Y. Senate?

By
Ken Millstone
Topics
Congress
Some of the widespread resistance to Caroline Kennedy's bid to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate stems from the fact that she would have to be appointed, rather than elected, to the seat. As Mother Jones' Kevin Drum put it last month,
Rich and famous people already have a huge leg up when it comes to winning political office, but at least they still have to run and win. Appointing them instead so they can avoid the whole messy business of engaging in a campaign is just a little too Habsburgian for my taste.
That sentiment has given some traction to the idea of appointing a "caretaker" to the seat – someone qualified for the Senate who would not run to retain the seat in 2010, when New York will hold a special election to fill the seat for two more years (or, presumably, in 2012, when Clinton's term was set to expire).

It's a strategy to hand the decision on the seat back to the voters. Kennedy and the other Senate hopefuls would have to win the seat the old-fashioned way.

Among the "caretaker" names being floated: former President Bill Clinton and former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo. (Another is former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey, though he appears to be having enough troubles running New York City's New School.)

While Bill Clinton may be a long-shot, Gov. David Paterson – who will make the Senate appointment – is amenable to the caretaker idea, Democratic party officials told the Associated Press.

WCBS has more.

  • Ken Millstone

    Ken Millstone is an assignment editor at CBSNews.com

Add a Comment See all 32 Comments
by tincup356 January 2, 2009 9:09 PM EST
why should anyone expect to get someone who would represent the people of New York?.....Mo one from any state represents the people that vote them in...they are ALL loyal to the lobby dollar only....just look at the bailouts....it''s quite evident where the lobby dollars came from and who is getting bailout money. White collar ,suit and tie terrorists.
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by renonv5 January 2, 2009 6:33 PM EST
How many times does Clinton have to say he is not interested before the media lets this non-news item go??? I also agree that Kennedy needs to wait and campaign for the position when it comes up again, not walk in the back door and expect it will be handed to her because she happens to be interested.
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by xlib January 2, 2009 5:43 PM EST
imprisonrove-you still haven''t told us why Rove needs to go to prison. Do love the lefts pit bull, emanuel, now there''s a solid guy for you.
Anyway, haven''t heard FOX salivating over bubba and the senate. But, they are still covering the blago saga as it develops. Don''t see a word about that here. Funny
Now, show me one politian that isn''t self-centered, it goes with the territory. IT''s a persoanlity trait held by ALL politicans.
Me, as a NY taxpayer, the few that are left-don''t want him.
Reply to this comment
by xlib January 2, 2009 5:40 PM EST
credibility-do you live in New York state?? I do and we don''t need anothewr downstate elitist lib in DC. We need representation for the rest of the state.
You do know he would have to take a big A cut in pay. He gets millions giving speeches in the UAE and all over the world.
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by excoachken January 2, 2009 5:20 PM EST
I think you mean Dewitt Clinton, don''t you?
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by texasbeta January 2, 2009 4:21 PM EST
No Kennedys. No Clintons. No dynasties.

Were you saying that with the Bushes?
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by used2bfedup1 January 2, 2009 4:17 PM EST
Gotta think he would be better than Caroline Pelosi Kennedy.
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by mizzerz January 2, 2009 4:03 PM EST
If Bill gets elected to Senate ( is that legal?) than the Clintons bribed Obama for something..it is clear as day.

Posted by peace4321

As clear as your incomprehensible post. The story was about Bill Clinton being appointed as a care taker to the US Senate. Appointed not elected.

And you follow up this misstatement, by some incredible conspiracy theory. At least some conspiracy theorist have some innuendo to throw out.

Bill Clinton would make a very good caretaker senator for NY. He has a high profile and large enough voice to get things that a senator without seniority would never get.
Reply to this comment
by allmymarbles January 2, 2009 3:56 PM EST
No Kennedys. No Clintons. No dynasties.
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by gangesdak January 2, 2009 3:19 PM EST
I would love to see Bill back in town. Bill in Senate will be a medicine against Repug disease.
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