First published in print: Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Fred LeBrun's Dec. 10 column questioning the qualifications of Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg to be a U.S. senator are off the mark. Since Mr. LeBrun frowns at Kennedy's lack of "applicable" (read: political) experience, he should be made aware that the current Congress, made up 100 percent of experienced politicians, has a favorable rating with the public of a dismal 9 percent.
With only six members of Congress being sent packing after voting for a "bailout" of Wall Street which was opposed by over 90 percent of the populace, real "change" as promoted by President-elect Barack Obama cannot be accomplished in this country until more "experienced politicians" are relieved of their duties.
I'm not a registered Democrat but I would gladly welcome Gov. David Paterson appointing an inexperienced, never-having-run-for-political-office-person of Kennedy's stature as one of our U.S. senators. If people on the left, where I believe Mr. LeBrun resides, truly want "change you can believe in," they'd better look to fresh faces and new ideas in the halls of Congress or be ready to accept more business as usual with "experienced politicians" in both major parties taking care of themselves and their lobbyists at the public's expense.
As for Andrew Cuomo, he must begin to investigate and prosecute those who perpetuated fraud in the financial sector. Cuomo's stock will rise with the indictment and prosecution of those like Investment Broker Bernard L. Madoff and the officers and board members of the brokerage houses, banks, and insurance companies that mismanaged their companies, misreported financials, and defrauded individual investors and company employees of their life savings.
Once indictments are filed, the personal assets of these individuals should be seized before they are channeled to off-shore banks, distributed to family and friends, or donated to politicians who will protect their top campaign contributors. I heard on the news that Madoff donated substantial amounts to both the Clinton and Obama presidential campaigns. Was he attempting to buy influence or a future pardon?
This editorial must be written in jest. For the past 50+ years, there have been Kennedys in national public office. For the past 20+ years, we have had Clintons, Bushes, Kennedys, etc. Time to find qualified outsider who is not a political retread.
Caroline Kennedy is about as qualified as Paris Hilton is to be a Senator of NYS.
Believe it or not, I have to disagree with this. Paris Hilton can't be Senator for NYS, Caroline Kennedy can. There's 2 reasons that they're eligible/ineligible. Caroline Kennedy is both a NYS resident and over the age of 31. Paris Hilton is neither, making her Constitutionally ineligible (but was does that stop nowadays?).
can the word obesity be used in the lingo??? It would appear to segregate if so......as for sin tax....well, that covers EVERYONE.......taxation fair and balanced,,,,,
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
As for Andrew Cuomo, he must begin to investigate and prosecute those who perpetuated fraud in the financial sector. Cuomo's stock will rise with the indictment and prosecution of those like Investment Broker Bernard L. Madoff and the officers and board members of the brokerage houses, banks, and insurance companies that mismanaged their companies, misreported financials, and defrauded individual investors and company employees of their life savings.
Once indictments are filed, the personal assets of these individuals should be seized before they are channeled to off-shore banks, distributed to family and friends, or donated to politicians who will protect their top campaign contributors. I heard on the news that Madoff donated substantial amounts to both the Clinton and Obama presidential campaigns. Was he attempting to buy influence or a future pardon?
You cant tell me that NONE OF THEM KNEW?????? BULLCRAP!!!!!! THEY ALL KNEW.......AND WHO WILL HOLD'EM OUT TO DRY/HANG?? their friends are just mad because they got caught.....as for Mr.Madoff---I'm sure he's just a 'small sacrificial lamb'......this isn't backyard baseball folks..........
As for Ms.Kennedy......the next generation has no freakin' clue what camelot is/was,,,,who John Kennedy was, maybe the fact he was shot and probably not much else......This must be the reason for the electoral college....yup, another ponzi scheme....
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Paterson's Future Could Factor Into Choice for Clinton Successor New York Gov. David Paterson must weigh a number of factors in deciding who gets to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate, should she be confirmed as secretary of state.
By Judson Berger FOXNews.com Tuesday, December 16, 2008
New York Gov. David Paterson, in deciding who will replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate, has the power to boost the political career of one of a dozen potential candidates -- but Paterson himself could be the one with the most to gain or lose as he mulls his selection.
The Democratic governor, who chanced into the position after former Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in a prostitution scandal, must run for election in 2010. And his choice for Senate could affect not only his popularity among New Yorkers but also the fundraising strength of the state's Democratic ticket in 2010 and his relationship with the incoming White House.
At first glance, analysts and officials say at least two of these factors favor Caroline Kennedy, who after weeks of testing the waters is diving into the race. She's rumored to be facing off against state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, as well as several U.S. representatives and state officials.
"There's a lot at stake in the governor's decision," said Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion. "(Paterson) may clearly look to someone who would provide some attraction to the ticket he would be on, and also someone who would be able to raise him money."
On those factors, Miringoff said Kennedy would be a "huge pick" for Paterson.
Clinton, who was elected in 2000 and re-elected six years later, is President-elect Barack Obama's pick for secretary of state. If she is confirmed and resigns, the job of appointing her replacement falls to Paterson.
New York Assemblyman N. Nick Perry, the House Democratic whip, called Kennedy a "neatly packaged" candidate for the governor, who could bring in cash and "round off the statewide ticket" with a revered name among Democrats.
And Perry said Kennedy would be "tremendously helpful" in Paterson's attempts to reach out to the White House and Senate for federal support. (New York is facing severe fiscal problems, and on Tuesday, Paterson unveiled a tough plan to close the state's gaping budget deficit.)
"It would make our loss of Hillary Clinton so much less," Perry said.
Kennedy was an early Obama supporter during the Democratic primaries and helped lead his vice presidential vetting effort.
With her star power, Kennedy could hold unusual clout as one of the Senate's most junior members. Her appointment would also answer the calls of women's groups who want Paterson to pick a woman to replace Clinton.
U.S. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who intends to run for the Senate seat in 2010, told FOXNews.com that he believes Paterson already has made up his mind.
"I'm guessing that he has decided on her," King said. "If Barack Obama strongly wants Caroline Kennedy, certainly the governor has to factor that in ... It's hard to say no to a Kennedy."
But King joined skeptical Democrats in saying Kennedy brings little more to the job than a "famous name." King said Kennedy has no record.
While Kennedy is an accomplished author and education advocate, she never has served in public office.
Cuomo, the son of former Gov. Mario Cuomo, was elected state attorney general in 2006 and previously served as U.S. housing secretary under President Clinton.
His name recognition and popularity in New York, as well as his ability to rake in money for the Democratic ticket in 2010, also cannot be underestimated. And Cuomo, after successfully running for statewide office, has ties to upstate New Yorkers that Kennedy does not.
A recent Marist Institute poll found that upstate and suburban New York voters favored Cuomo for Clinton's seat, while New York City voters favored Kennedy. Overall, the two were tied, at 25 percent each.
"A lot of people are still not sure about her," Miringoff said. "She needs very badly to establish some kind of policy focus with voters who at this point don't have a sense of that."
New York State Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, who is supporting Cuomo, told FOXNews.com that Kennedy's in "another realm" when it comes to star power.
But he said his colleagues are genuinely split over whether to back Kennedy or Cuomo.
"(Cuomo) has been here with us through the good times, through the bad times, and produced as attorney general," Canestrari said.
There's one more factor that could lift Cuomo's chances. Cuomo ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2002 but has been talked about as a potential candidate again in 2010.
By sending Cuomo to Washington, Paterson would eliminate that threat.
Cuomo could not be reached for comment by FOXNews.com.
Asked about Paterson's decision-making process, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown -- who also is interested in Clinton's Senate seat -- said he's sure it will entail a "comprehensive vetting."
"He is a very thorough individual, a very serious-minded individual," Brown said. "I believe he will make a sound decision ... for the benefit of all New Yorkers."
Brown conceded that upstate voters have a "sense of confidence" in Cuomo. But he noted that Kennedy was moving to inspire that kind of confidence.
He said Kennedy called him Monday to set up a meeting to discuss upstate issues, as she expressed her interest in Clinton's seat. Brown, who said Kennedy was surely qualified for the job, said he agreed to meet.
Kennedy has also retained the services of the political consulting firm, Knickerbocker SKD, which represents New York's other senator, Charles Schumer.
Schumer would not endorse any candidate when asked about the seat Tuesday.
"All 12 of the candidates would be excellent," he told FOX News, adding that he's talked to Kennedy and she's "very interested" in the job.
FOX News' Chad Pergram and Major Garrett contributed to this report.
Where did I put that sharp object?????? Oh,,,,,it's back there.....I was wondering where it went and why I couldn't sit anymore.....the State did it again...
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
IT'S SEN. CAROLINE: LIKE IT OR NOT! Wed Dec 17 2008 19:45:45 ET
When a powerful labor leader picked up the phone this week, he was surprised to hear the voice of a top aide to New York City Mayor Bloomberg. The aide made it clear: Caroline Kennedy [lose the Schlossberg] is going to be senator, "so get on board now!"
Buttons are being pushed and strings pulled by the mayor, the NEW YORK TIMES plans to front on Thursday.
The involvement has helped immediately elevate and coordinate the debut of Kennedy, who lacked an experienced political staff of her own.
But now, it is setting off an intense backlash among Democrats.
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