Caroline Kennedy Drops Senate Bid

By: Ken Millstone
Topics: Congress

(AP Photo/Chitose Suzuki)

Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn from consideration for the U.S. Senate Seat vacated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate," Kennedy wrote in a statement released just after midnight Thursday.

CBS News' Steve Chaggaris confirmed Kennedy's withdrawal before 10 p.m. Wednesday night, despite widespread, conflicting reports.

The New York Post is reporting that Kennedy decided to withdraw "after learning that Gov. David Paterson wasn't going to choose her" and cited sources who said that Paterson soured on her due to her "poor performances in media interviews and in in [sic] private sessions with various officials."

The New York Times, in contrast, says that Kennedy's decision is linked to concerns about the health of her uncle, Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts.

Sen. Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last May, underwent surgery and returned to the Senate in November.

He suffered a seizure during inauguration festivities yesterday and was admitted to the hospital. Doctors later said that the seizure was brought on by stress. He left the hospital today.

There was a five-hour window of confusion Wednesday night about Caroline Kennedy's stance on the possible Senate appointment. New York City newspapers began reporting her withdrawal around 7 p.m., but NBC News reporter David Gregory said repeatedly on air that the reports were mistaken.

The Associated Press, which had initially reported Kennedy's withdrawal, reversed course and released a 730-word story stating that, "After wavering briefly, Caroline Kennedy renewed her determination Wednesday to win appointment to the U.S. Senate."

Both Kennedy and Paterson's spokespeople did not comment until the statement was released after midnight.

Kennedy

began to entertain the idea

of seeking the Senate seat early last month, then

threw her hat into the ring

and informally campaigned in New York.

Her reversal comes just days before Paterson is expected to announce his pick for the seat.

Others contenders for the seat include New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, the son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi of Long Island, and Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Steve Israel, Jerrold Nadler, Kirsten Gillibrand and Brian Higgins.

Another, albeit somewhat less likely, scenario is that Paterson could appoint a "caretaker" to the seat -- an experienced politician such as former President Bill Clinton, who has no intention of running to retain the seat.

Whoever is appointed will serve until 2010, when New York will hold a special election for the seat. The seat will be up for election again in 2012 -- the end of the six-year term Hillary Clinton won in 2006.

Ken Millstone
Ken Millstone is an assignment editor at CBSNews.com

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by mitch5511 January 23, 2009 4:29 PM EST: Caroline Kennedy has the expertise to do the job just fine. What she didn''t have was a ''politician''s polish'' and that is what people focused on unfortunately.; Reply to this comment


by rty62 January 23, 2009 11:56 AM EST: IMHO, she is a Kennedy. Fame & fortune is her privilege - accept it good &/or bad. I''ve never heard of anything she may have done. However, I don''t live in NY & have no great care for the Kennedy''s.

It was asked on TES: Is the media "piling on" as it relates to her bowing out? Absolutely NOT! She is a Kennedy & should know better (although past family example is questionable).

If you have things to hide don''t jump out there & tell the world you WANT the job. If you ask for attention, then attention you shall receive - accept it good &/or bad.; Reply to this comment


by caldwellptr January 23, 2009 12:22 AM EST: If it was John Kennedy Jr. there would not be this discussion, or for that matter, if it was First Dude Todd.; Reply to this comment


by brianp55 January 22, 2009 3:52 PM EST: "I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am withdrawing my name..."

Yeah, you bet it''s personal. The avoidance of massive humiliation.; Reply to this comment


by andie52 January 22, 2009 3:49 PM EST: "the Kennedy-Palin comparison is apples and oranges: not only is the vice presidency a substantively different office than junior senator from New York, but opposition to Palin was "firmly based on substantive concerns about competence, as well as wariness about her tone and temperament, which became increasingly divisive. Palin''s demonstrated lack of basic knowledge, her intellectual incuriosity, her inability to articulate ideas or even simple thoughts all combined to create an impression of not-quite-there."

http://www.usnews.com/blogs/robert-schlesinger/2008/12/29/caroline-kennedy-and-the-sarah-palin-qualifications-test.html; Reply to this comment


by fauxnewscom January 22, 2009 2:52 PM EST: She never did enough drugs and alcohol to be a proper Senator anyway.; Reply to this comment


by godofredo29 January 22, 2009 2:37 PM EST: I blame myself.; Reply to this comment


by credibility2 January 22, 2009 2:31 PM EST: She did the right thing; no doubt her personal reasons included her inexperience and inability to garner wider support in her state.; Reply to this comment


by pvperson January 22, 2009 2:18 PM EST: Just read your moronic blather dumdnc, it looks like your the one that should "get over it".; Reply to this comment