Comments on: Caroline Kennedy Is Seeking NY Senate Seat

By: Democratis

Democratis — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:43:52 +0000

Ours is not a monarchy! A name cannot buy a senate seat. There are hundreds of better qualified candidates – speaking of “candidate”, this is America where people earn their right to the people’s senate seat thru running a campaign. This is OUR senate seat, not Paterson’s, not the carpetbagger Hillary and not a wealthy granddaughter of a rum-runner. This family needs this seat to keep their power and get their land back in Cuba. Wake Up NY! Caroline endorses Obama and demands her payback – this is on par with Illinois corruption – don’t kid yourself. This is also a seat for life – without running an initial campaign. OUTRAGE!

By: kranky kritter

kranky kritter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:08:54 +0000

I think cost is a legitimate reason not to have a special election. I have a problem with folks running for one position and then quickly moving on to greener pastures. I could see some sort of rule where if a person deserts their elected post then the runner up takes over.

I agree that ideally a special election would occur. But again, there’s the substantial cost. I have seen numbers like 30 million and 45 million floated. Not sure how accurate that is, but should the state of NY spend another 30 million because Hillary Clinton wants to be SoS? That’s a lot of money that could do a lot of good. I could see some sort of compromise where the state legislature picked the replacement from a slate of candidates who qualified by collecting say 10k signatures.

By: sauerkraut

sauerkraut — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:51:48 +0000

Pretty funny reading comments which compare a possible CKS selection to Palin being McCain’s vp choice. McCain’s choice does not appear to be related to her responsibilities as governor of a state that runs a surplus thanks to oil companies (socialism, anyone?).

And it’s with great irony that Hillary’s people complain about CKS only because CKS supported Obama. For Hillary people, it’s all about Obama. Had CKS supported Hillary, you can well imagine that they’d strongly support CKS in this endeavor. Party Unity My… yeah. Right.

CKS at least comes from a NY family (Jackie Bouvier), went to law school in NY and has lived in NY for years. She is qualified and untainted by prior horse trading scandals.

By: ExiledIndependent

ExiledIndependent — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:30:12 +0000

Why not hold a special election in these cases? Appointment inherently invites corruption.

By: kranky kritter

kranky kritter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:22:35 +0000

I would have no problem with Kennedy being interested in this seat if she were going to run for it. Because then she’d have to show her public face and demonstrate to the people of NY that she understands the people and the issues, and is capable of handling the job.

Hillary Clinton was comparably inexperienced. But she ran for and won her seat. The fact that she managed to get elected makes her legitimate, because she was what the people wanted. Getting elected proves that.

But in the case where someone is getting appointed, a different standard must apply.

Were I from the state of NY, I’d be furious if someone with such a thin resume and scant experience as a prominent public figure were simply handed such an important job. So I don’t think this is going to fly. And if Kennedy herself does not understand this, that’s evidence that she is tone deaf. Anyone with such an experience level should rightfully be expected to make their case before the people of the state.

By: SaneInSF

SaneInSF — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:38:50 +0000

Cut it out mw. The Democrats don’t like it when you call them out and show how much they are complete hypocrites.

By: Allen Dodson

Allen Dodson — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:35:12 +0000

I think this is a prime example of the level my party (dem) has sunk unto. Name is everything. At least the Bush sons’ had to work their way up the ranks (i.e. governor first). Kennedy (caroline) has done what again to merit this appointment? Listen to Ted tell stories at holiday parties? It is all party politics with the Dems anymore. They are out of touch with their constituents. The Republicans just got punished for being out of touch on November 4th past. Wait and see what is in store for Dems in the coming years.

By: mw

mw — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:37:37 +0000

"frankly, it could be refreshing to have somebody who hasnâ€™t been a diehard political operative in that seat." - JG

Huh. In light of this comment...

"McCain... made a VP pick that was completely unserious." - JG

...about a woman who was elected Governor of a state with $10 Billion budget and 15,000 employees, I wonder if you could enlighten me... Exactly how is it that a woman who has never been elected to anything, never run anything, and her sole qualification for public office is her last name, somehow be considered a "serious" pick for Senator? Oh wait. She endorsed Obama. Qualification enough, I guess - as long as you embrace the Chicago style "you scratch my back, I'll scratch your back" Senatorial selection process.