Caroline Kennedy May Seek N.Y. Senate Seat

Kennedy Has Talked To Gov. David Paterson About Replacing Sen. Hillary Clinton

(CBS/AP)  Caroline Kennedy has spoken to New York Gov. David Paterson about the Senate seat that will come open when Hillary Rodham Clinton becomes secretary of state, according to a person familiar with the conversation.

Kennedy reached out to the governor to discuss the Senate seat, according to the Democratic source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversation was private. The source would not disclose the details of the conversation.

Kennedy is the daughter of President John F. Kennedy and a niece of brothers Edward and Robert. Robert Kennedy held the New York seat from 1965 until his assassination in 1968.

As a prominent member of the Kennedy clan, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg is the kind of high-profile, historic figure who could overshadow many other New York politicians hoping to be Paterson's choice.

The governor has said he is in no rush to make a decision, and Clinton is not giving up the seat before she is confirmed as President-elect Barack Obama's secretary of state.

"The governor has not yet reached out to any potential candidates," said Paterson's spokesman, Errol Cockfield. "He has been approached by several candidates. Any discussions related to that selection are private and the governor will not comment about speculation before a decision is made."

Word of the conversation comes days after Kennedy's cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., announced he was not interested in the job - a move that sidesteps any messy intra-family competition.

Whoever Paterson appoints would serve for two years and then have to run in a special election in 2010 to serve out the remainder of Clinton's six-year term, which ends in 2012.

Paterson has said he will run in 2010 for his first full term as governor. New York's senior senator, Charles Schumer is up for reelection in 2010 as well.

Kennedy has strong connections to incoming Obama administration officials - though Obama transition spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter insisted they were not involved in any way with the search for the next U.S. senator from New York.

As a prominent booster of Barack Obama's presidential bid, Kennedy spent much of 2008 taking bigger steps onto the public stage.

As famous as she is, she always has been viewed as almost painfully shy. She does not like talking about herself, nor does she appreciate those who do.

She met her husband, Edwin Schlossberg, while working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They married in 1986 and have three children.

She made a splash in early 2008 by writing an op-ed column for The New York Times declaring her support for Obama, saying he had the potential to be as inspirational to Americans as her father was in the 1960s. She also spoke at the Democratic National Convention.

She then hit the campaign trail with Obama, and worked on the vice-presidential search that eventually settled on Joe Biden.

Caroline Kennedy is easily the most famous contender for Clinton's Senate seat, but there are plenty of others. New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is widely known in the state. Paterson could also pick Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown or Tom Suozzi, a Long Island elected official.

There are also a number of House members in the running, including Reps. Carolyn Maloney, Kirsten Gillibrand, Steve Israel, Brian Higgins, Nydia Velazquez and Jerrold Nadler.

[nikosk11]

Cuomo, or Suozzi? Who will be "godfather''s" choice?

[kansas1946]

Excellent choice.

[blitzder]

Caroline Kennedy is THE brightest shining star in the Democratic universe and will be the Governors choice. No doubt about it.

[downsteamjim]

What we need is a House of Lords where we could put Kennedy''s, Bush''s, and Clinton''s. They would be just for show and politics could get some new faces based on ability not heredity.

[bud28dy]

My God, how long are these worthless Kennedy''s going to continue trying to cash in on their family name. NY needs a strong candidate who can run on their own and win in 2010. A politically shy nobody who has never held elected office hardly fits the bill. Cuomo is the best choice.

[Scooter68]

What???

Caroline Kennedy is THE brightest shining star in the Democratic universe and will be the Governors choice. No doubt about it. Posted by blitzder

You have to be kidding. If she is the brightest star in the DEM lineup then the GOP candidates will in control of both the house and senate after the next election.

[centerfall94]

Excellent choice. It will drive the neocons/republicans insane. Any sane choice does.

[mr12258]

Not another Kennedy.

[faletinme]

Oh joy. Another Kennedy in government without having earned it. I can, however, see how after hi own numerous marital indiscretions, David Paterson would feel comradeship with the Kennedy clan...

How long until she ends up drivin her car into the reflecting pool, zonked on tranquilizers?

[cspolj]

Obama supporters are happy to criticize the so called "Clinton dynasty" but anything for a totally unqualified Kennedy.

Oh yeah I forgot that she must be brilliant because she went to Harvard and Columbia. She must be just as smart as our current president because he went to Yale and Harvard.

[sociallyjust]

WHEN WILL THE WRONGFUL AND CORRUPT KENNEDY MONARCHY END?

It''s been a long time since the late 50''s and 1960''s that we, the American public, were misled and became enamored with the Kennedy role-models who we perceived as our gods.

Then came the of rumors and prima facie evidence, that these same Kennedys were plenty spoiled, selfish, vain, corrupt, and unlawful high-society druggies, as well as very probable pimps and murderers.

More Kennedys leading us? No thanks!

[txgrouch2007]

Historically 1/3 of the people who posed a problem for the Clintons died in plane crashes, another 1/3 by suicide, and the other 1/3 by unsolved murder. Posted by orgone at 04:19 AM : Dec 06, 2008

LOL! Kennedys don''t count. They cause their OWN "accidents."

But yes, ANYTHING to make sure Hillary can''t try to win the seat back when she''s finished as Sec''y of State.

Yes, Joe Kennedy was a gangster and a crook, as well as an FDR crony (ambassador to England, first head of the SEC). But Caroline was just a little girl when Joe died, so little if any of his gansterism rubbed off on her.

She might be a good way to help our country move on from the disgraceful "twenty aught" decade. And the "roaring nineties" before it.

[txgrouch2007]

Excellent choice. It will drive the neocons/republicans insane. Any sane choice does.
Posted by Centerfall94 at 10:58 PM : Dec 05, 2008

Do Democrats EVER stop hating and lying?

[txgrouch2007]

neocons have made a point of using division for political gain.
Posted by fsw3 at 08:48 AM : Dec 06, 2008

Who said "Bush is Hitler?"

[txgrouch2007]

And when do you stop hating and lying?
Posted by fsw3 at 08:52 AM : Dec 06, 2008

It took you FOUR MINUTES to come up with that one? LOL!

[grumpas]

Do Democrats EVER stop hating and lying?

Posted by txgrouch2007

No!!! We learned how to from you right wing Republican lunatics. You haven''t stopped whining about Bill Clinton for close to 20 years now! Most of you foam at the mouth when you speak his name.

[txgrouch2007]

You enjoy being hateful and bitter. Your guys lost the election and for some pretty good reasons. Posted by fsw3 at 09:10 AM : Dec 06, 2008

So do Democrats have a 2/3 majority in Congress? In EITHER house???

More hate and lies from a Democrat.

[txgrouch2007]

You haven''''t stopped whining about Bill Clinton for close to 20 years now! Most of you foam at the mouth when you speak his name.
Posted by grumpas at 09:12 AM : Dec 06, 2008

I keep reading about Democrats "whining" about Reagan. A bunch of liberals just made a new movie about Nixon, and director Ron Howard decried the "abuse of power." I didn''t hear him decrying Clinton''s abuse of power.

But they''re still "whining" about Nixon.

And you "whine" about us bringing up Clinton.

More hate and lies from a Democrat.

Have you EVER blamed ANY Democrat for ANYTHING? EVEN ONCE???

[summarex]

Wow! Kennedys, Bushes, Clintons! Senatorial seats and the presidency get handed down from families to families, While the rest of the world gets away from that sort of third world nepotism, this country flocks to it.

It''s really sad to watch.

[jackp32]

Oh no! Not another liberal Kennedy weenie about to gain power in the Senate. Why don''t we just turn the management of our country over to the Bushs, Kennedys, and Clintons and get it over with and cut out the charade. Is this what the ignorant voters want?

[txgrouch2007]

I hear very little whining about Reagan.
Posted by fsw3 at 09:24 AM : Dec 06, 2008

LOL! Then you don''t spend much time in these discssions.

Come back when you''re INFORMED.

[txgrouch2007]

At the very least the Democrats have 58 seats in the Senate
Posted by fsw3 at 09:32 AM : Dec 06, 2008

Oh, really. So that leaves 42 Republicans.

You can hardly say that the people threw out the Republicans when almost half of both houses of Congress are still Republican.

So, it all sounds like typical Democrat gloating, boasting, and GROSS exaggeration to pretend the Democrats won some kind of overwhelming victory.

It''s just the normal pendulum swings of power. After two or four years of absolute power for the Democrats, it will be intersting to see how fast the pendulum is swinging the other way by then.

[txgrouch2007]

Is this what the ignorant voters want?
Posted by JackP32 at 09:50 AM : Dec 06, 2008

Yes. Now what are YOU going to do about it?

BTW, did you hear any news from Thailand recently?

[txgrouch2007]

The question NO DEMOCRAT WILL ANSWER:

Have you EVER blamed ANY Democrat for ANYTHING? EVEN ONCE???

[sandy19731]

The question NO DEMOCRAT WILL ANSWER:

Have you EVER blamed ANY Democrat for ANYTHING? EVEN ONCE???

Posted by txgrouch2007 at 10:19 AM : Dec 06, 2008
Actually yes. Why do you think the democratic congress is so unpopular? But, do not worry, we are working on it. Thank you for asking.

[indivthinker]

No more Bushs. No more Kennedys. No more Clintons.
No more corrupt dynasties!

[indivthinker]

"Caroline Kennedy will run for president in 2012."

Probably, it just wouldn''t be an election without a Bush, Kennedy, or Clinton running for President or Vice President.

1980 - Ted Kennedy ran President, Bush Sr. for Vice.
1984 - Bush Sr. for Vice.
1988 - Bush Sr. for President.
1992 - Bush Sr. for President, Bill for President.
1996 - Bill for President
2000 - W Bush for President
2004 - W Bush for President
2008 - Hillary for President
2012 - Hillary, Caroline Kennedy, and/or Jeb Bush for President or Vice.

We just can''t seem to get rid of these people. Perhaps another storming of the Bastille will finally get rid of these morons. Personally, I just think we should exile them all to Australia.

[godofredo29]

New York could do a whole lot worse.

[drpolitics1]

The news of Caroline Kennedy taking Clinton''s senate seat is just disgusting. What a game the Democrats have created to get the Kennedy%u2019s back in office.

While I respect the legacy of the Kennedy''s to America, I still think we must remember that Caroline and her rich family owe their success and riches to the "bootleg" illegal liquor business her grandfather started. All our families would be rich and powerful if we participated in illegal business%u2019s the way this family started.

I do not think she should get the Senate seat.

[indivthinker]

New York could do a whole lot worse.

Posted by godofredo29 at 11:25 AM : Dec 06, 2008

Not really. Replacing a horrible Clinton with an even worse Kennedy is impossible to beat... except with a Bush, but there aren''t any Bushs up North.

[cheteunice]

Please! No more Clintons, Kennedys or Bushs! Enough already!!!!

[cheteunice]

godofredo29, ''New York could do a whole lot worse.''

Yes, they could keep Mrs. Bill Clinton--I''m sorry, Hillary!


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Posted by

[cheteunice]

godofredo29, ''''New York could do a whole lot worse.''''

Yes, they could keep Mrs. Bill Clinton--I''''m sorry, Hillary!

[cariboubarbi]

Wingnuts,

Can you stop your partisan hate long enough to realize we''re all Americans?

[jtleseth]

RESUME FOR CAROLINE KENNEDY...

EXpeerience: N A M E

[secundus2]

There are dozens of better qualified DEMs in NY state, but Kennedy has wealth and celebrity. Nothing else counts as much in today''s politics; not party, not issues, not experience, not character--these all take a back seat to campaign spending and media recognition. Elections have become like high-school polls for the prom queen.

[ozonmojo]

As long as this kind of primitive clan worship goes on in the U.S,Americans have no right to preach democracy to other countries.What is the difference between these so-called scions and the brood of some Ayatollah in the middle East?

[krescera]

Doesn''t Michelle Obama have any uncles or aunts ?

[bb543]

Ummmm... credentials ?

[jbright9]

Caroline Kennedy is an extremely bright woman. I am sure she would be an exemplary Senator. Her family has done much to help the American people. They have all been raised to give back to their country. She is quite reserved so I do think that being a politician may be difficult for her. Her personal life and ethics would put a lot of the other Senators to shame.

[downsteamjim]

I am thinking about sending my cat to New York and changing his name to Kennedy. That should qualify him for the Senate.

[bjcone8559]

Boot Legging started the Kennedy Legacy.



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Posted by republic76


That''s true. What started the Bush legacy... Oh Yeah, trading with and supporting Hitler. Oh, and three generations of family and business ties to the Bin Laden family.

Look it up wingnuts.

[neonink]

I wonder what some of these people would have been had they not been born Kennedy?

[neonink]

DJ_IL,
what''s wrong?

Keep it in the Middle East and nothing is wrong.

[blitzder]

Possibly, the most courageous and charming lady in politics.

Aside from the SOUR GRAPES republican losers on this board, Caroline would be the best choice and bring the US much needed international prestige by her grace and intelligence. Which has been sorely lacking from the lacklustre bunch of republican frauds that occupied the White House and the Congress for the last 8 years.

[yongamerica]

What is in a name? What makes this toon a more viable candidate than more qualified people that have been active in politics in the local and state level.

[clancy49]

I am sick to death of the political royal families. Kennedy-Bush-Clinton. Is this a democracy or not? Is it the White House or Buckingham Palace. These royal families are all alike. They are nutters living off the blood of their subjects without a clue to the reality of work.

[ioweign]

Ummmm... credentials ?

Posted by bb543 at 02:21 PM : Dec 06, 2008


Senators must be at least 30 years old, have been a citizen for nine years, and live in the state they represent.

[hitoyou11]

Just what we need. Someone everyone knows, but WHO KNOWS NOTHING. Stay home, don''t make a fool of your self, Ted already made a fool out of all the Kennedy klan.

[panhandlpete]

My first thoughts are like many others.....she should get NO preference because she is her Father''s daughter for he WAS elected by the people, but since the seat will be filled by the unelected governor, who will be running in 2010 himself, he will be thinking of how many votes he will get or lose from his decision. She worked and supported OBAMA so my bet says she will get the job if she asks for it. PAYBACK IN POLITICS, like it or not, that''s the way the elite keep their lifestyles going.