CAPITOL Some experts say ‘caretaker’ senator possible Ex-President Clinton not interested BY MICHAEL GORMLEY The Associated Press
Sen. Bill Clinton? Sen. Mario Cuomo? Don’t completely rule it out. The former president and the former New York governor are among several boldface names being touted as possible “caretakers” for New York’s Senate seat — people who would serve until the 2010 elections but wouldn’t be interested in running to keep the job. As the process of picking Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s replacement gets messier, the option may become increasingly attractive to Gov. David Paterson, who has sole authority to name a successor. Matt McKenna, a spokesman for Bill Clinton, said Wednesday that the former chief executive isn’t interested in the job and plans to continue the work of his foundation. Cuomo declined through a spokesman to discuss the Senate seat. A big name could have an immediate impact for New York in the Senate while letting the large fi eld of hopefuls duke it out in 2010, according to three Democratic Party advisers in New York and Washington who are close to the discussion with Paterson’s inner circle on this issue. Two others in the party confirmed that Paterson is still considering the caretaker option. The advisers spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to comment. “You could find a very senior person who could serve New York well” on an interim basis, said Gerald Benjamin, a political scientist and dean at the State University of New York at New Paltz. “Then you can say to Caroline Kennedy, ‘You know, you’d make a good senator. Run for it.’ And you can tell everyone else that it’s a level playing field.” Paterson has made it clear in recent days that he’s getting annoyed by the constant jockeying by supporters of high-powered hopefuls including Kennedy, half a dozen members of Congress and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, son of the former governor. The candidates — especially Kennedy — have made daily headlines as Paterson tries to focus on a fiscal crisis of historic proportions, his first budget proposal and preparations for his first full legislative session as governor. He took offi ce last spring after disgraced Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned. The caretaker option was exercised last month by Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, who picked a former aide to Vice President-elect Joe Biden to succeed him in the Senate until a new senator is elected in 2010. By then, Biden’s son, state Attorney General Beau Biden, will have returned from a tour in Iraq with the National Guard — just in time to run for his father’s seat. A week ago, Paterson said he favored appointing a senator soon after Clinton is confirmed to start building seniority, and he ruled out an interim placeholder. Under state law, there will be an election to fill the last two years of Hillary Clinton’s term in 2010 and another for a full six-year term in 2012. The process, however, wasn’t supposed to be a big distraction. Some of the other names circulating as possible caretakers among party operatives include the state’s retired top jurist, Judith Kaye, and former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey, now president of the New School in New York City. Kaye declined through a spokesman Tuesday to discuss the Senate seat; Kerrey and Paterson did not respond to questions Tuesday and Wednesday. Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College poll, said the caretaker option wouldn’t surprise him. “To pick a caretaker is to say . . . win it in the court of public opinion.” An interim appointment also could sidestep an internal struggle in New York’s Democratic Party. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver — the longest-serving and most powerful legislative leader in the state — has reservations about Kennedy, and Paterson needs Silver if he wants to battle powerful labor interests to turn around the state’s fiscal problems. But Kennedy’s supporters include New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent who is another important ally for Paterson. Meanwhile, the handicapping continues about the prospects of some of the lesser-known contenders. Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York City, who is known as a tenacious legislator, has been endorsed by three women’s advocacy groups: the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and the National Women’s Political Caucus. Political observers say Paterson is under pressure to pick a woman because all the state’s top leaders — except Clinton — are men. In the political blog Connecting. the.dots, media critic and editor Robert Stein wrote Sunday that a caretaker would show that Paterson has the best interests of the state in mind during the fiscal crisis while letting powerful political families fight it out in an election two years down the road. Doug Muzzio, professor of politics at Baruch College, isn’t convinced. “If in fact you are looking to appoint a senator who can be an effective advocate for the people of the state, those two years you can ..............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01200
For the good of the great state of New York, Caroline Kennedy must withdraw her name from consideration for the position of U.S. senator. Barack Obama has lead the American public to embrace "change" in our country and our political system. Caroline, while being awakened politically to a possible calling, has compromised the decision that our governor must now make on behalf of New Yorkers and all Americans. If Gov. Paterson chooses Caroline, we will always wonder if it was payback for getting her family name behind the Obama campaign. We all want to board a winning political platform, but for the benefi t of all Americans, she should withdraw her name so as not to compromise the decisions of Gov. Paterson and President-elect Obama.
As the governor decides whom to appoint to fill the Senate seat, consider: Caroline Kennedy announces her interest in being senator to the governor. That, in itself, is a hubristic act, especially from a person who has jealously guarded her privacy and exhibited little people-to-people contact over the years; a person who has never revealed political interest in serving the state and therefore has no public resume or set of accomplishments. And, as opposed to Dwight D. Eisenhower, she did not just save the world and was not called on by the people to serve again. Now we learn, according to the Associated Press and New York One, that Caroline has not voted in a number of elections. She admitted "there isn't a good excuse." How, in heaven’s name, can anyone be appointed to the prestigious level of U.S. senator who doesn't even vote? Now we learn that Caroline refuses to provide The New York Times, and others, with ethical, legal and financial data that candidates and officeholders all provide — on the grounds that she is not a candidate. She wants the office, but not the scrutiny. Again, hubristic and full of gall. But, of course, Caroline is a Kennedy, a celebrity. But if celebrity is the important criterion, why not Jennifer Lopez? Or why not Andrew Cuomo, also from a prestigious family and a celebrity as well, but who has served in the political system both in elective office as attorney general and under President Clinton as secretary of HUD from 1997 to 2001? Also, he has [bipartisan] appeal, as exhibited by Sen. McCain suggesting him for possible inclusion in a McCain cabinet. And, in 2010, if Cuomo continues impressing people as attorney general, he more than likely will be a strong challenger in the [gubernatorial] primary. Better he be safely serving in the Senate.
If Gov. Paterson appoints Caroline to the senate seat she'll fit right in with the rest of the do nothing legislatures that were elected by the uninformed voters in this state IMHO.
I would like to express my interest in replacing Hillary Rodham Clinton in the United States Senate. I currently hold a full-time job, which I realize puts me at a disadvantage with Caroline Kennedy, but my employer is willing to grant me a sabbatical while I commute to Washington. Like Ms. Kennedy, however, I am a woman, I have never held or sought public office, I have no governing experience, and I am unwilling to disclose the state of my finances. (I shall not release my medical records so you have to trust me on this, but I am in good health.)
If Gov. Paterson appoints Caroline to the senate seat she'll fit right in with the rest of the do nothing legislatures that were elected by the uninformed voters in this state IMHO.
This is beyond sickening. I hope he does pick Kennedy, than maybe the opposition {fiscal Conservatives, GOP} will come to life. Even Democrats are embarrassed by her "listening tour". Rep Peter King (R-LI) has said he will run against her. He would win. Paterson is finished in the next election. He fits right in with our horrible County Legislature, talks a good game, zero follow through and in the end refuses to make any necessary cuts.
Hey let's not lay it ALL on Paterson. There is plenty of blame to go around. How many 'special sessions' did Paterson call for? He told ALL of the state legislatures, (ya know, the ones that supposedly represent us?), exactly how bad of shape we were in. He told them to ALL make cuts. And did they? NOPE! Not a one of them. They all felt real comfortable with their hands in our pockets. In fact they all felt so comfortable taking our money, that NONE of the legislatures baulked at all of the new tax hikes that Paterson proposed. So now Paterson has to go with hat in hand, begging the Feds for yet MORE taxpayer money. What a shame!
The entire bunch needs to be voted out and replaced. The sad part is...replaced with 'who'? Surely not Kennedy.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Kudos to the Gazette for its Dec. 30 editorial, "Not this Sen. Kennedy," which explains why Gov. Paterson should be reluctant to appoint Caroline Kennedy to the Senate seat that Hillary Clinton is vacating to become secretary of state. Anyone who admits to not voting often is certainly not senatorial material. The editorial correctly reflects the majority of New York voters. A Jan. 1 Associated Press ["Some experts say 'caretaker' senator possible"] says the same, and suggests the appointment of a caretaker senator until the next election in less than two years. Mentioned were former Chief Judge Judith Kaye, former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey and Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York City, all with unquestionable respect. There has been innuendo about Mayor Michael Bloomberg being a supporter of Caroline Kennedy, as well as potential financial supporter on the part of Caroline Kennedy for Paterson. All of this controversy came to a head when public radio station WAMC announced on Jan. 2 that two unnamed associates of the governor told news reporters that the governor would choose Kennedy. Perhaps it was fact, rumor or even a leak handed out by the executive office as a trial balloon. In any case, if voters disagree with this choice in a serious manner, they should contact the governor’s offi ce and express their views and reasons. Remember, there will be no election for about two years.
Why aren’t media properly vetting Kennedy candidacy?
Caroline Kennedy, front-runner for the vacant New York Senate seat, has demonstrated no knowledge of any relevant issues, has no political experience and is painfully inarticulate. Plus, she probably spends quite a bit of money on her wardrobe. These characteristics would automatically disqualify a conservative candidate from serious consideration. Indeed, the principled liberal criticisms of Sarah Palin are still fresh in my mind. In the topsy-turvy world that exists down the liberal rabbit hole, however, such details barely merit a raised eyebrow — except, of course, when it is ideologically convenient to raise an eyebrow. I am still waiting for the media to undertake the intensive and even-handed vetting process they were chest-thumping about in the most recent election, but I have decided not to hold my breath.
They wont vet her.......the Kennedy's own the media......and rub elbows at the cape.......I'm sure Ms.Couric and Caroline are buddy buddy as far as the jet setters go......
...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
Re Jan. 9 column, “Caroline Kennedy trying to cash in on her family’s name,” by Daniel Weaver: Mr. Weaver’s piece is awfully thin gruel: Joe’s disreputable follies from Nazi sympathies to rum-running to Jack’s amorous affairs; even Caroline’s favorite uncle Teddy’s bad show as a young man in Chappaquiddick. Weaver’s laundry list of the unsavory is rather old hat, and hardly the legacy of the Kennedy family. Mr. Weaver’s insight is that of a 9-year-old finding out his father is not the hero he bragged about, but made of clay feet. It’s about growing up. Gosh, we are breathlessly told, citing authority of Mr. Seymour Hersh, the legacy wasn’t even of Camelot. Well, have ya evah? Talk about a smear job. It is fatuous to claim Caroline is cashing in on anything, as she is not in need of money. And to judge her on her grandfather’s peccadilloes or an uncle’s is more than silly.
Logged
This is beyond sickening. I hope he does pick Kennedy, than maybe the opposition {fiscal Conservatives, GOP} will come to life. Even Democrats are embarrassed by her "listening tour". Rep Peter King (R-LI) has said he will run against her. He would win. Paterson is finished in the next election. He fits right in with our horrible County Legislature, talks a good game, zero follow through and in the end refuses to make any necessary cuts. 
