Althouse: So Caroline Kennedy wants the Hillary Clinton Senate seat?

December 5, 2008

So Caroline Kennedy wants the Hillary Clinton Senate seat?

Then step aside everyone.

ADDED: The odds.

59 comments:

Matt Brown said...: Whenever I want to discuss the Senate with someone, I always call my governor. Sometimes, I call the governors of neighboring states, just for kicks.; 12/5/08, 10:04 PM
Palladian said...: Wow, we really did turn into a hereditary monarchy somewhere along the line, didn't we?; 12/5/08, 10:12 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Good one Matt.; 12/5/08, 10:13 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Yeah Palladian, quite a sense of entitlement our American aristocracy has eh?

The NYT failed to mention Kennedy's service on Obama's VP selection team? Guess the fact-checkers are off today.; 12/5/08, 10:15 PM
I'm Full of Soup said...: My family worshipped the Kennedy family for a long time.

But the 2nd generation has been dumb and dumber. Caroline Kennedy is one the few that we can be proud of but mainly because she has not gotten arrested or wound up in a scandal.; 12/5/08, 10:21 PM
veni vidi vici said...: I sense she's a shoo-in because of the Obama VP selection tie-in. Quid, meet pro quo.; 12/5/08, 10:23 PM
Simon said...: Let's wait to see if the seat actually becomes vacant before worrying about who will fill it.; 12/5/08, 10:33 PM
Palladian said...: SELECTED NOT ELECTED! SELECTED NOT ELECTED! SELECTED NOT ELECTED!

Wow, all the crap I picked up from lefties over the last eight years is gonna be useful!

As the old commercial says, you can learn a lot from a dummy.; 12/5/08, 10:35 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: "Wow, we really did turn into a hereditary monarchy somewhere along the line, didn't we?"

My very thoughts.

What gives these people the right to "rule" us?? and how stupid, idiotic, sheep like are we as a people to allow this unqualified aristocracy to rear its head and rule us like serfs.

Was the Magna Carta for nothing.

More and more I appreciate the fact that I will die before this cultural decay becomes so bad that the underpinnings of society fail. I feel bad for my daughter and her children because they will inherit....A Brave New World.; 12/5/08, 10:56 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: Welcome to the future.Meet the new boss same as the old boss.

Brave New World is a benevolent dictatorship: a static, efficient, totalitarian welfare-state. There is no war, poverty or crime. Society is stratified by genetically-predestined caste.

Ahem... Kennedy, Bush, Clinton, Kennedy. Inherited genetically predestined.??

Intellectually superior Alphas are the top-dogs. Servile, purposely brain-damaged Gammas, Deltas and Epsilons toil away at the bottom. The lower orders are necessary in BNW because Alphas - even soma-fuelled Alphas - could allegedly never be happy doing menial jobs.; 12/5/08, 11:07 PM
1775OGG said...: Where's Oliver Cromwell when we need him. Of course, even good Old Oliver turned into the Lord Protector because the masses couldn't stand being without their high and mighty Lord Nonesuch!

Oops, forgot that Lady Cromwell didn't get an office, must be a modern thing, eh?

Lastly, my favorite quote from 17th century English history is: "Behold, the king!"; 12/5/08, 11:20 PM
Mark Daniels said...: It's funny. Just yesterday, I was thinking that Paterson might turn to Caroline just to avoid picking from several actual NY pols who want the appointment, the selection of one would offend the other.

No NY Dem would publicly object the selection of Caroline, although like others have already commented, it seems a bit ridiculous, confirmation that we have moved to dynastic politics: Kennedy, Bush, Clinton, Gore, Romney, et al ad nauseum.; 12/5/08, 11:23 PM
Chris Althouse Cohen said...: I feel like they should replace Clinton with a Clinton supporter. They don't have to, obviously, but I don't like the idea of someone taking over her seat who worked against her presidential campaign.; 12/6/08, 12:16 AM
JohnAnnArbor said...: Shouldn't it be someone who, oh, I don't know, would represent the people of New York State well?

I know, crazy. Pay me no mind.; 12/6/08, 12:46 AM
Anonymous said...: She has inherited those Kennedy Shar Pei genetics.

51 going on 80.; 12/6/08, 1:16 AM
Eli Blake said...: Carolyn Kennedy Schlossberg:

Earned a degree in law from Columbia University.

She is the author of four books. The titles of the first two make it clear what her biggest single political priority is likely to be:

In Our Defense: The Bill of Rights in Action (1991)

and

The Right to Privacy (1995).

Frankly after decades of creeping governmental intrusion augmented by the past few years of Patriot I and II and other laws restricting freedom, I would welcome seeing a person with those kinds of priorities enter the Senate.

She has also established the 'profile in courage' award to give to someone who has stood up in the face of sometimes violent opposition to stand for principle.

She also serves on the boards of numerous institutions and foundations.

She never has run for office, however, having chosen to devote her time to raising three children.

Now, can anyone here tell me exactly why she isn't qualified to be a U.S. Senator? I believe she is highly qualified, probably more so than a lot of the people who presently are in the Senate were when they became Senators.; 12/6/08, 1:48 AM
Cedarford said...: Gov Paterson has some tough considerations. Many that weigh strongly against selection of another Jew (Gov. he replaced , Mayor of NYC, other Senator all NYC Jews) or making the power structure of New York tilt even more to NYC. Or putting a Manhattan celebrity in office.

Paterson represents a State of 19 & 1/4 million. A good part of that State resents NYC, Manhattan glitterati, and Jews (8% of New Yorkers) having too much power.

Two Upstaters not mentioned much by NYC-based national media - which focus on NYC-based contenders, are the black mayor of Buffalo and Kirsten Gillibrand the Centrist (and young & good-looking Congresswoman) from eastern Upstate NY.

Gillibrand is popular with Independents and Republicans as well as Dem Catholics and should have broad statewide appeal in a special election. Born in the Albany area, magna cum laude Dartmouth graduate, UCLA Law, clerked US 2nd Circuit of Appeals, just had her 2nd child..

Gillibrand is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition.[3] She strongly opposes gun control.[4] She is a strong advocate of 2nd Amendment rights. She supports extending the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts; stem cell research; and the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act. [2] Gillibrand opposes attempts to partially privatize Social Security.[3] She strongly supported passage of the 2008 Farm Bill. Gillibrand broke with former Governor Eliot Spitzer on the issue of illegal immigration, opposing his plan to issue New York State drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.

Dig on her is her having only started her 2nd term in Congress, though she had 4 years at HUD as counsel to Andrew Cuomo, focusing on revitalization of cities.

Byron Brown, black mayor of Buffalo, is a hardcore liberal. But he is the 1st black to hold district office in New York outside NYC. His name has come up as a "black selection" in case Illinois doesn't do a black replacement for Obama. But Paterson has said that race would be a small, if any factor in his selection.
Brown also may be a difficult Statewide candidate to select in 2010.; 12/6/08, 3:07 AM
Anonymous said...: Eli Blake said... Now, can anyone here tell me exactly why she isn't qualified to be a U.S. Senator?

She's:

1. a law school graduate

2. never had a real job.

3. never been elected to anything

4. doesn't deseve special treatment because of her name.

That's why she shouldn't be........oops. Never mind.; 12/6/08, 3:53 AM
LutherM said...: Caroline is probably better than the other Democrats mentioned.
She already has a song written about her,
(as did Linda McCartney).
But why is it now Caroline KENNEDY ?
I thought she used the name Caroline Kennedy SCHLOSSBERG.
Is the press trying to tell the public that the marriage is winding down?
(I notice that Cuomo's ex-wife, one of Bobby Kennedy's daughters, now uses the Kennedy name.); 12/6/08, 6:00 AM
SJL said...: Caroline Kennedy did NOT change her name when she got married.; 12/6/08, 6:33 AM
George M. Spencer said...: 2009 will be a great year for People magazine, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Oprah, and the Enquirer.

For all other businesses, 2009 will not be so good.

And, Eli, I love your line...."She never has run for office, however, having chosen to devote her time to raising three children."

Like she's a stay-at-home Mommy with a minivan, instead of a butler, maid, chauffeur, nanny, gardener, house man, security team...at each of her several homes...; 12/6/08, 7:16 AM
Peter Hoh said...: I am generally opposed to those whose greatest claim to office is their family tree, and I'm not about to make an exception in this case.; 12/6/08, 7:23 AM
rhhardin said...: There's nothing more appealing in politics than a storybook ending.

They're right. And that's why they're running it. It gets audience eyeballs to sell to news media advertisers.

Nothing of no interest to soap opera women can enter the national debate.

The concerns about hereditary monarchy are misplaced; it's idiot story lines consumed by idiots that's at fault; story lines designed for those same idiots.

The rest of us don't count because we won't watch in any case.

Every political race will be a Special Olympics from here on.; 12/6/08, 7:38 AM
hdhouse said...: If somehow, someway a herd of population can think that the ya'betcha hockey mom can be vice president then I fail to see any argument whatsoever for Caroline to be a senator. It is, by the way, for all the state's rights inhabitants from the few remaining Bush legacy states who are up in 2nd amendment arms over the possibility, a New York decision and one that, if memory serves me, a governor appointment. This of course reinforces the contention that Governors are an important post and republicans as well as democrats are mindful that state executive elections carry the weight that they do in factors other than running the state.

What part of this don't you get? What part of educated, philanthropic and smart is abhorrent?....oh right, you prefer the Tina Fey lookalike.

Ya'betya ass Caroline is decent and well meaning person. Name someone you like better but enough of the monarchy crap. It is so, dare I say, Alaskan sticks boring.; 12/6/08, 7:39 AM
knox said...: She also serves on the boards of numerous institutions and foundations.

LOL. That's as good as "Community Organizer."; 12/6/08, 8:03 AM
ricpic said...: I live in Ithaca so unfortunately I rub shoulders with our future rulers, the snots of Cornell, and I don't understand on what basis they are so presumptuous: because they're all uniformly tall?; because they're all upper clahss?; because they all scored high on the SAT? I seriously don't get it. But I know that their perfumed asses are going to be sitting on our heads forever.; 12/6/08, 8:06 AM
Palladian said...: "What part of this don't you get? What part of educated, philanthropic and smart is abhorrent?....oh right, you prefer the Tina Fey lookalike.

Ya'betya ass Caroline is decent and well meaning person. Name someone you like better but enough of the monarchy crap. It is so, dare I say, Alaskan sticks boring."

That's right, baby, bend over real far and take it like a good little subject of the realm. Caroline has a solid gold strap-on all lubed up and ready for you, little serf.

Anyone remember when the Democrat party pretended to be the party of the "common man"? Neither do I.; 12/6/08, 8:10 AM
bearbee said...: Like she's a stay-at-home Mommy with a minivan, instead of a butler, maid, chauffeur, nanny, gardener, house man, security team...at each of her several homes...

Yes, but think of all that executive experience.

So, how about Illinois? Oprah? :(( Well, at least she can provide a job resume.

And speaking of the "common man" wouldn't it be refreshing if a total unknown was selected. Maybe a small-town Mr. Smith or Joe The Plumber type.; 12/6/08, 8:31 AM
rhhardin said...: Pick anybody who just retired and sold his laundry business.; 12/6/08, 8:37 AM
Anonymous said...: hdhouse said...If somehow, someway a herd of population can think that the ya'betcha hockey mom can be vice president then I fail to see any argument whatsoever for Caroline to be a senator.

All roads lead to Sarah Palin! She's now the Rome of American politics.

This post now has 200+ comments potential.; 12/6/08, 9:33 AM
George M. Spencer said...: bearbee--

Absolutely...Oprah would make the perfect president...understands business and will protect its interests...knows all the issues...good communicator...tough as nails...put her on the Supreme Court, then she can run in 2016 or be VP in 2012.

But it is a mistake to think that because someone thinks Ms. Kennedy is unqualified that that person automatically thinks Ms. Palin is qualified.; 12/6/08, 9:37 AM
rhhardin said...: Someday ``qualified woman'' will be recognized for the term that it is, a woman outside of a field that actually interests her but that she mulishly persists in.; 12/6/08, 9:42 AM
Palladian said...: "Absolutely...Oprah would make the perfect president...understands business and will protect its interests...knows all the issues...good communicator...tough as nails...put her on the Supreme Court, then she can run in 2016 or be VP in 2012."

Ugh. You're forgetting that Oprah became a billionaire by being an misery vampire and preying on the basest, crudest emotionalism of millions of American women. Oprah has done a lot of damage to the strength of America by turning so many of her viewers into weepy emotional cripples.; 12/6/08, 9:44 AM
Trooper York said...: Caroline Kennedy is about as qualified as Plaxico Burress's wife to be Senator.

They are both lawyers who also raised a family and served on community boards and are related to someone who was shot.; 12/6/08, 9:59 AM
MadisonMan said...: Maybe she can get in the day after Uncle Ted dies.

Conservation of Senatorial Kennedys. Always has to be 1!

I think she's likely to be just a good a Senator as any of the other bozos in there. I admit the bar is not high.; 12/6/08, 10:01 AM
Palladian said...: "I think she's likely to be just a good a Senator as any of the other bozos in there."

Aye, there's the rub...; 12/6/08, 10:12 AM
Ralph L said...: Oprah has done a lot of damage to the strength of America by turning so many of her viewers into weepy emotional cripples
Oprah was just the medium. American stoicism went out the window soon after the JFK funeral.; 12/6/08, 10:21 AM
Martin Gale said...: Madison Man says . . .

Conservation of Senatorial Kennedys. Always has to be 1!

Actually, SK had a value of 0 from 1960 to 1962, and a value 2 from 1966 to 1968, so SK conservation has on rare occasions been violated. In addition, since SKs usually spin left (at least since 1960), there's no parity conservation either.; 12/6/08, 10:37 AM
Simon said...: Palladian said...
" You're forgetting that Oprah became a billionaire by being an misery vampire and preying on the basest, crudest emotionalism of millions of American[s]."

How is that any different to Barack Obama?; 12/6/08, 10:57 AM
rcocean said...: Isn't someone from SNL available? Its a farm team for Democratic Senators.; 12/6/08, 10:57 AM
JAL said...: Best comment:
rhhardin:
Every political race will be a Special Olympics from here on. 7:38; 12/6/08, 11:00 AM
Anonymous said...: Original George said ..Absolutely Oprah would make the perfect president...understands business and will protect its interests...

Actually the business is handled by a Jewish guy named Jeff Jacobs.

She gets credit for pimping the emotional cripples, he gets credit for handling the money.

I just wanted to get that in there before Cedarford.; 12/6/08, 12:20 PM
William said...: An officer in the Mexican army of Santa Ana kept a diary. In the diary, he recorded that Davy Crockett and several other Texans had surrendered. After their surrender, Santa Ana had them shot. The Texans like to believe that Texans died to the last man defending the Alamo, and Mexicans don't like to believe that they shoot POW's. Thus the the myth of the Alamo remains intact. The brave Texans died to the last man to bring freedom and chattel slavery to Texas....Something similar seems to be going on with Camelot. There were many bad decisions and sordid affairs associated with Kennedy's tenure. The reporters and historians feel no great urgency to report them, and the people feel no great wish to read about them. You don't have to go to church to absorb myths and superstitions.....I'm at a considerable emotional and chronological remove from Camelot. Even so, I hope that Caroline serves as Senator. I get the sense that she represents all the good things that we wanted to believe about the legacy of JFK.; 12/6/08, 1:03 PM
bearbee said...: Oprah has done a lot of damage to the strength of America by turning so many of her viewers into weepy emotional cripples

Oprah was just the medium. American stoicism went out the window soon after the JFK funeral.

I suspect Oprah replaced the soap operas for many people. She used the world stage as her personal psychiatrist couch. I saw a couple of her male-bashing shows and was totally disgusted.

I avoid her.; 12/6/08, 1:05 PM
AlphaLiberal said...: Long live the aristocracy.; 12/6/08, 1:17 PM
Simon said...: rcocean said...
"Isn't someone from SNL available? Its a farm team for Democratic Senators."

"Senator Alec Baldwin (D-NY)"?; 12/6/08, 1:35 PM
ricpic said...: But William, Caroline will continue the tradition of chattel slavery: you, the bled white serf of compassionate government.; 12/6/08, 2:46 PM
veni vidi vici said...: "Pick anybody who just retired and sold his laundry business."

George Jefferson?; 12/6/08, 2:57 PM
rcocean said...: "An officer in the Mexican army of Santa Ana kept a diary. In the diary, he recorded that Davy Crockett and several other Texans had surrendered."

Said Diary is a fake. Written after the Alamo and "discovered" in the 20th Century. In any case, the Mexicans didn't know Crockett was at the Alamo when they attacked, didn't know what he looked like, and its doubtful they even knew who Davy Crockett was - or cared.; 12/6/08, 3:54 PM
Methadras said...: Caroline keeps the curse broken because to my knowledge she didn't have political aspirations. However, I suspect that if she has a successful bid for the Junior Senate seat of New York, you may see the end of that line of Kennedys afterall. What a shame that these people don't understand that politics has been the harbinger of their doom. Or they did and just don't care.; 12/6/08, 3:55 PM
Anonymous said...: Doggone it. I had 'Chelsea Clinton' in the office pool.; 12/6/08, 4:50 PM
Mark said...: Oddly enough, I really believe the best choice among potential Democrats would be Bill Clinton.

Oh, the dwaaaaaama!; 12/6/08, 6:45 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "Doggone it. I had 'Chelsea Clinton' in the office pool."

You are a fool. She doesn't meet the age requirement.; 12/6/08, 7:44 PM
Matt Eckert said...: Yes she does.

In dog years.; 12/6/08, 7:49 PM
Joe said...: I'm sick of the fucking Kennedys.

As for qualifications, given Ted Kennedy, Reid, Hatch, Kerry and many others, it appears that being able to breath is the sole qualification, since brains sure as hell aren't.; 12/6/08, 8:02 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm a New York voter and I think this is the best choice of those being discussed. She;s done a tremendous amount with New York public schools, works extremely hard, and I think she'd be a very effective Senator.

The moron who is saying "selected, not elected" obviously doesn't realize that there is an election in 2010 for this seat and again in 2012. They'll have 2 opportunities in less than 4 years to be elected.; 12/6/08, 9:15 PM
Ralph L said...: Chelsea will be eligible in 2010, however. Who would be a pliant seat warmer?; 12/6/08, 9:22 PM
hdhouse said...: my point stands and apparently stands well.

you republicans got nothin'.; 12/6/08, 10:14 PM
Anonymous said...: "You are a fool. She doesn't meet the age requirement."

She's a Clinton. Rules don't count. That whole age ceiling thingie needs to be shattered.; 12/7/08, 11:46 AM