1. Loosen it up!
2. Today's not the best day to be throwing your weight around trying to get a governor to fill a vacant Senate seat.
December 9, 2008
"Edward and Caroline Kennedy Share Tight Family Tie."
NYT headline. My thoughts, in order:
1. Loosen it up!
2. Today's not the best day to be throwing your weight around trying to get a governor to fill a vacant Senate seat.
1. Loosen it up!
2. Today's not the best day to be throwing your weight around trying to get a governor to fill a vacant Senate seat.
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Does this mean the "curse of the Kennedys" will follow young Caroline to Washington? No, but this sure does look like a deal made between Hilary and Barack in their private meeting prior to the convention. The Kennedys have always had strong Chicago power alliances since Joe's founding of the clan's fortunes in the 1920's. Those ties will be continued by the Caroline Kennedy appointment as the Chicago part of a 3-way deal.
Traditional guy:
I doubt it though-- remember that Caroline and Ted both angered Hillary before Super Tuesday and endorsed Obama.
Maybe it's insanity:
Check out Eric Zorn's take on Blagojevich today.
He quotes a magazine writer who wrote,
Privately, a few people who know the governor describe him as a "sociopath," and they insist they're not using hyperbole. State representative Joe Lyons, a fellow Democrat from Chicago, told reporters that Blagojevich was a "madman" and "insane."
Zorn then goes on to write,
That struck me at the time, as over the top. Today it strikes me as brave and prescient.
The insanity defense for corruption?
Eli,
Blagojevich is another corrupt Chicago pol - no more, no less. A little dumber than some, no doubt, but he is by no means an aberration.
Tie. Share. Loosen. Ha ha ha. But srsly, the distress in my mind generated by senate seats bought and sold among Democratic party operatives has caused me to over salt my shrimp and pasta by forgetting that the salt in the pasta water used to thicken the sauce would concentrate that much when reduced.
The "sociopath" part is not the corruption, it's the recklessness. He dared law enforcement to record his conversations.
Plus, the reaction of a lot of Chicago insiders must be: "A few hundred g's for a US Senate seat? Who knew?"
It makes you think Blagojevich was engaged in seat-selling more for the thrill of doing something nasty than for the cold, hard cash.
If his real plan was to feather his nest, he'd have set a floor price of $20 million and stayed off phones.
Firedoglake's take on Caroline is aggrieved.
http://tinyurl.com/5lv8ou
Excerpt:
Her leadership could have been really helpful when the rest of us were trying to keep the progressive lights on and getting the stuffing beaten out of us by a very well-financed right wing for the past eight years. But when things were tough, she was nowhere to be found.
Now that the Democrats are in power, she'd like to come in at the top. We have absolutely no idea if she's qualified, or whether she can take the heat of being a Kennedy in public life. She's certainly shown no appetite for it in the past. She'll have a target on her back and if she can't take it, if she crumbles, she will become a rallying point that the right will easily organize around.
The woman has never run for office in her life. We have no idea how she'd fare on the campaign trail, or how well she could stand up to the electoral process. She simply picks up the phone and lets it be known that she just might be up for having one of the highest offices in the land handed to her because -- well, because why? Because her uncle once held the seat? Because she's a Kennedy? Because she took part as a child in the public's romantic dreams of Camelot? I'm not quite sure.
The only place I see ooh-ing and aah-ing about Caroline is on stations like CNN because it allows them to show lots of emotion-stirring pictures. Campbell Brown literally twinkles whenever it's mentioned.
On Hillary's Senate seat:
Imus says that Caroline Kennedy is a nice lady but there's nobody home.
Bernard McGuirk adds that it's a big seat to fill.
Firedoglake makes some good points but can't miss the opportunity to blame everything on the "right wing".
Caroline has never struck me as someone who was politically ambitious, so this just seems like too easy to turn down. By contrast, the HRC carpet bagging in 2000 would seem like the result of a lifetime of dedicated public service at the local level.
OTOH, are there any really good democrats in New York State that aren't tainted in one way or the other?
OTOH, are there any really good democrats in New York State that aren't tainted in one way or the other?
Daniel Patrick Moynihan, except he died.
Bob Kerrey, who was something of a Moynihan protege, lives in New York now. Why not him?
Ed Koch, just as a seat-warmer?
Mia Farrow? Pretty active humanitarian.
Moynihan: we should be so lucky.
OTOH, are there any really good democrats in New York State that aren't tainted in one way or the other?
Rev Al Sharpton would be an excellent addition to the US Senate ;)
The "sociopath" part is not the corruption, it's the recklessness. He dared law enforcement to record his conversations.
Disagree - Blago is a fairly routine crook. His apparent carelessness comes from the fact that he's gotten away with it so many times before.
Some will choose to depict Blago as an aberration - a sociopathic monster - because they don't want his story to reflect on Obama.
There are plenty of honest and decent politicians in New York State who would make a good Senator. I would imagine Patterson will pick a very liberal person so a Lydia Velázquez or a Nita Lowery would be a decent choice. Anthony Weiner is also a decent fellow who might be a worthwhile selection who if nothing else will fight for New York’s interests. Carolyn McCarthy from Long Island or even one of the Congress persons from Buffalo would be a decent pick. I think he could go outside of the box and pick someone like Ray Kelly or even Christine Quinn if he wants to throw a bone to the gays and lesbians. I mean there are tons of reasonable choices that would be acceptable to the lunatic fringe like HD House but who have enough experience to be useful.
The selection of Caroline Kennedy would be a ludicrous disgrace. I think Patterson is a lot smarter than that. He is blind not stupid.
This is just blatant nepotism at this point. And no one cares because, oh, it's all about the history of it now isn't it? Aren't we all just in love with the history making potential of it all. [/Ann Althouse voting for Mr. Barely]
Of course, Teddy is usually way beyond simply "tight."
People keep saying that Blago "dared" the feds to tap record his conversations. Honest question: what were his exact words or actions that are being interpreted that way? I mean, it seems clear enough he never expected them to tap his phone.
"Lydia Velázquez"
Nydia Velázquez. Her office is a half a block or so away from me.
I hate the idea of just giving away elected offices to the elites. Oh! Let's pahhs the seat to a Kennedy, shall we? She's of the Blood Royal therefore eligible.
Iceberg, Goldberg what’s the difference.
I say we name Plaxico Burress. At least we know where he stands on the second amendment.
I mean Plaxico is perfect. He is black guy who never says anything, always answers present at meetings. has no experience and even when he makes a big mistake he still doesn't shoot himself in the foot (the leg doesn't count).
Man he could be the fucking President.
What about the Nanny? She'd be great in the Senate.
TEDDY, throw all the weight around that you still have - your niece is worth it.
Caroline seems to be the best of the bunch of Democrats mentioned.
She has the good sense to be honest - GOOD SENSE being a rare trait for Democrats in Illinois AND New York - witness Rangel.
Andrew Cuomo will be selected.
I still think it's gonna be Bill but what do I know, I don't get no respect;
When I played in the sandbox the cat kept covering me up.
I could tell that my parents hated me. My bath toys were a toaster and a radio.
One year they wanted to make me poster boy... for birth control.
I remember the time I was kidnapped and they sent back a piece of my finger to my father. He said he wanted more proof.
My uncle's dying wish was to have me sitting on his lap. He was in the electric chair.
Once when I was lost I saw a policeman and asked him to help me find my parents. I said to him, "Do you think we'll ever find them?" He said, "I don't know kid. There are so many places they can hide."
I remember I was so depressed I was going to jump out a window on the tenth floor. They sent a priest up to talk to me. He said, "On your mark..."
When my old man wanted sex, my mother would show him a picture of me.
Well, there is a way to quickly end the House ethics investigation of Charlie Rangel:
Appoint him to the Senate!
Captain Lou Albano would be an excellent addition to the US Senate.
http://tinyurl.com/5rk85e
A girl phoned Tony Romo and said, "Come on over there's nobody home", he went over - nobody was home
Robert Deniro. He's every bit as qualified as Caroline Kennedy. As is Dustin Hoffman. And I believe Sarah Jessica Parker is a NY resident as well. Sure, why not. film stars are an underrepresented minority in the Senate.
Doesn't Titus live in NYC? He'd be a fabulous senator.
Why not have Caroline be a carpetbagger and let Illinois name her. Then NY could name the one who should have been elected back when Hillary was a carpetbagger in New York.
"Doesn't Titus live in NYC? He'd be a fabulous senator."
Isn't one Larry Craig enough?
Maybe Princess Kennedy can be the Senator for both New York and Chicago! Kill two stones with one bird.
When Tony Romo was born the doctor slapped his mother.
I would make a suggestion for NY senator lbut what do I know, I don't get no respect either.
For Christmas my parents gave me a set of seppuku gift knives.
When I reported to the Draft Board they referred me to Al Queda
When I went swimming at Venice Beach Greenpeace showed up saying they were there to protect the whale.
For my birthday my parents gave me a box of dynamite and a Bic lighter
For graduation I got a Corvair
Instead of a dollar, the tooth fairy left a copy of the Hemlock Society handbook
For Easter I was taken to an egg hunt in the Grand Canyon
At dinner our family dog used to drop bits of food onto my plate.
My my older brother ran out of toilet paper, he used my socks.
I tell ya, I got no respect. I was totally a hand-me-down kid, from my older sister.
I was a latch-key kid but my parents kept hiding the key.
They sent me out for the paper then locked me out of the house.
My parents sued Planned Parenthood for misrepresentation of services.
When I finally got my own bedroom it turned out to be an open air platform on the roof.
When hunting season started my parents dressed me up as a deer.
One year my parents took me to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and dressed me in parka that made me look like a harp seal pup. When I complained to Heather McCartney she said, "Piss off."
Rodney Dangerfield smoked pot everyday for 60 years, was diagnosed with clincal depression in his seventies and in his eighties was taking 137 prescription meds a day to keep himself alive. Who knew.
Bu he was one hell of a funny guy.
19 million people live in New York. 11 million of those do not think NYC is the Center of the Universe, America, or even the center of their conception of the State of NY.
Around 8 million live in NYC, half of which (even in the City) hate the Manhattan glitterati, and wealthy elites.
New Yorkers are wary of people from NYC having inordinant power, and Jews having disproportionate power.
With the Governor, Bloomberg Manhattanites, Schumer a lifelong NYC boy, I don't think they want their 4th top elected spot also going to a NYC person. Nor do they likely want 3 NYC Jews in the top 4, which would be 4 NYC Jews out of the 4 if Spitzer hadn't fallen.
(While New York is always identified as the most Jewish and litigious of states, Jews are only 8% of the population there, just 1.6 million of New Yorks 19 million residents.)
That recognition of the need to balance constituencies would rule out Jews for Hillary's seat. And rule out the NYC candidates for a few reliable picks like the mayor of Buffalo, conservative pro-gun Dem Congresswoman Gillibrand - that would really help Manhattanite Paterson out with the Upstate vote.
And a pick a celebrity? Princess Caroline? Because she is entitled for those wonderful memories of 45 years ago with her cute little caps and pony Macaroni? Won't play well with voters 2 years hence, nor build Paterson's rep as someone aware of, and considerate of the world outside Manhattan.
When my brother got married he asked me to be his best man. By best man, he meant director of the parking valets.
I tell ya, I get no respect. A citizens group in San Francisco started a petition to name a sewage treatment plant after me. Hang on. That was someone else. Sorry.
Wouldn't it be funny if he named Spitzer's wife to the Senate seat?
It's terrible. I get no respect at all. I was watching the Hannity & Colmes, and Alan Colmes put me on mute.
With my wife I don't get no respect. I made a toast on her birthday to 'the best woman a man ever had.' The waiter joined me.
I'm not a sexy guy. I went to a hooker. I dropped my pants. She dropped her price.
I tell ya, my wife was never nice. On our first date, I asked her if I could give her a goodnight kiss on the cheek - she bent over!
I tell you, with my doctor, I don't get no respect. I told him, "I've swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills." He told me to have a few drinks and get some rest.
I worked in a pet store and people kept asking how big I'd get.
I asked my old man if I could go ice-skating on the lake. He told me, "Wait til it gets warmer."
My mother never breast fed me. She told me that she only liked me as a friend.
I met the surgeon general. He offered me a cigarette.
I went to a massage parlor. It was self service.
I was tired one night and I went to the bar to have a few drinks. The bartender asked me, "What'll you have?" I said, "Surprise me." He showed me a naked picture of my wife.
I told my dentist my teeth are going yellow. He told me to wear a brown necktie.
My psychiatrist told me I'm going crazy. I told him, "If you don't mind, I'd like a second opinion." He said, "All right. You're ugly too!"
I was so ugly, my mother used to feed me with a slingshot!
When I was born the doctor took one look at my face, turned me over and said, "Look, twins!"
My uncle said he wanted to take me fishing, when we got out to the middle of the lake he stuck a hook through my belt and threw me over the edge of the boat.
When I was born the pediatrician asked my mum if I should be circumcised. She goes, "Whaddaya work for tips?"
When I questioned my hang gliding instructor why my glider didn't have no sail he said all his beginner students take their first leap with a bamboo stick.
Does anyone know what Caroline Kennedy thinks about anything other than she supported Barack Obama? She is certainly not a great speaker.
I love her to death. She is fabulous and mysterious and quiet and private. She has great clothes and hair too. She should stay that way. I don't want her in the senate. I also couldn't see her hoofing around the state in 2 years running for the office. Teddy is pretty sick and she could take his seat in Mass when he leaves us.
My choices would be Bloomberg, Anthony Weiner or Steve Israel. They have to be fabulous and they have to be from the city. It is important that the New York senator is fabulous and as a result they need to be from the city. They have to be really liberal too. How about that chick from who represents the West Side? Carolyn Mahoney? Is that her name. She seems kind of fabulous. Really hot would be nice too. Corey Booker would be great but he is in New Jersey. He is hot. I would do Corey Booker in a heartbeat. I bet he has a nice long black hog that gets really hard when it is ready to shoot.
It's rough out there, I tell ya. My swimming instructor told me the ankle weights were to make sure I'm oriented in the water properly.
Bernadette Peters would be fabulous. Or how about Liza?
Liza's back you know!
My father found me my first job -- herding alligators with a straw broom.
Chip & Lawgiver:
Stop it you are killing me. I am trying to get some work done.
Now I am horny thinking of Corey Booker. That is one fine bald black man.
How about Tiki Barber? He's hot. He has an amazing ass. I bet he has a nice low hanging hog.
It's always been bad, real bad. When an electrical storm hit the radio station I worked for they sent me out to align the antenna insisting I wear a metal hard hat and steel tipped boots.
Tim Gunn would be fabulous.
He could give the senators makeovers and shit and it could be televised on Cspan.
Olympia Olympia Olympia what are you thinking. We are going to make it work for you.
Although, I don't think Olympia needs a makeover. She is already fabulous and really thin-I love that.
If it is a woman I would prefer she has big tits and if a man I would like to see his bulge in his pants hanging down the side on one of his legs. Like Corey Booker's probably does. Corey Booker, yum.
I would like to see Corey Booker down on his knees in front of me blowing me while he is looking up at my eyes and I am jamming his head down on my head.
That would be hot.
What happened to Victoria?
It was rough growing up. When our family went to the pound to pick out a dog, my mother asked it they could just make an exchange.
How about P Diddy?
When my mother got frustrated and shouted to the parrot why it don't talk, the parrot finally squawked, "I got nut'n to say to that kid!"
On holidays, we had a grown-ups table, a kids table, and a cardboard box in the garage for me.
P Diddy is ugly though.
Peter King? He's too Long Island and a republican and not fabulous or attractive. I am just thinking outside the "box".
Koch is a tired old queen and not hot.
I want hot and I want it now. I may need to go for a walk. It is pretty warm out tonight and my estrogen is flowing through my body.
My tree house was a pine box in the bottom of a six foot deep hole with a headstone.
My vas deferens are tingling.
My vaginal wall is quivering.
My ovaries are becoming enlarged and need a release.
I am becoming wet.
I get no respect at all. When I propositioned Titus he goes, "When I said I'm looking for hog I don't mean no pig."
I'm serious. I fell out of a life raft and the circling sharks threw me back into the boat.
My clitoris is shaking.
Must get hog.
Uh Oh. I am going into a trance.
Get jacket on now.
Please stop me.
Walk the streets you dirty whore.
No, No make it stop.
Drag those fucking dogs out with you now and find a hole NOW.
Find your fucking keys slut. Rain or shine you know the routine. You know what must be done. The clock is ticking.
After I did a face plant on the sidewalk escaping the explosion at the match factory, the reconstructive plastic surgeon said, "I don't really think I can improve on this."
You are not getting any younger and a day will come when you can't get it.
That did it. I am out the door.
I got hit by a bus and the bus sued for damages.
I took off my shirt on a public beach and Pamela Anderson showed up and spray painted me protesting my wearing live fur.
Code Pink formed a prayer circle around me as an example of the ravages of war.
For my birthday, my parents wouldn't buy me no balloons, they just tossed me a handful of condoms they got for free from the health clinic and wrote my name on 'em with a magic marker.
I had it rough, I tell ya. My parents wouldn't buy me an etch-a-sketch, they just gave me a stick and shook the kitty litter box.
When our toilet clogged, they held my legs and used me as a plunger to unclog it.
this thread makes no sense read from the bottom up.
I just got out of one of my exams. I taught the class in Second Life. It's weird. Even weirder hanging out with a bunch of slack avatars while they take an exam in another software.
A professor new to the environment dropped in and started chatting with one of my students. I told him "hey, shove off, buddy, we're having an exam" before I realized he was a professor. I could have blown him up with a little defensive tool I have for the SL equivalent of trolls. That would have been fun, but I think I'd be in trouble.
They tied a rope around my neck and used me as a counterweight to be an automatic door closer.
Bernadette Peters would be fabulous.
she was a fabulous Mama Rose.
But having read this whole thread, now I have to root for a Jew. Any Jew will do, Patterson, just pick a Jew. Any Jew.
"Imus says that Caroline Kennedy is a nice lady but there's nobody home"
Imus is still alive? Seriously? I thought I heard he had passed away.
Maybe being a senator would help bring her out of her shell.
But having read this whole thread, now I have to root for a Jew. Any Jew will do, Patterson, just pick a Jew. Any Jew.
Ha ha. I second that.
In America today, we have a growing aristocracy; Bushes, Kennedy's, Cuomo's, etc, etc. Both parties.
And we have "czars" proposed for the energy, auto, and other industries. And a czar already presiding over the financial industry.
Geez, I'm glad we're a democratic nation.
Beth said...But having read this whole thread, now I have to root for a Jew. Any Jew will do, Patterson, just pick a Jew. Any Jew.
Preferably male and liberal to maintain the current degree of diversity.
Hee. Great Dangerfield-style jokes!
Loved that guy. Really sad to read here that he suffered from depression.
Caroline strikes me as a version of her mom. Everybody loved Jackie O, but I don't think anyone in their right mind would have argued that she should have been appointed to a Senate Seat.
On the other hand, she is pretty wealthy. How much do you think she is willing to pay Patterson for the seat?
Anybody else out there getting tired of political dynasties and legacy seats?
Anybody else out there getting tired of political dynasties and legacy seats?
YES!
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