Caroline Kennedy, Nine Enemies and One Ingrate
William Howard Taft, the last American president with facial hair, famously said that "every time I make an appointment, I create nine enemies and one ingrate." (Or maybe it was "one ingrate and twenty enemies.") We can assume that Taft's mustache makes him an expert at such things, in the same way that Rod Blagojevich's "toupee that is also wearing a toupee" disqualifies him from making any credible observations in this arena.
So, as the press tingles over the possibility of Caroline Kennedy taking uncle Bobby's senate New York senate seat, let us pause to consider the enemies and the ingrate that now beset New York Gov. David Paterson. From now until the moment he decides, the press will portray Paterson's dilemma as a light switch, a white-and-black choice between Kennedy and Other. But for a New York governor the pressures are far more complex. He must grapple with a power struggle between upstate and downstate interests. There are machines in Buffalo, the Bronx and Long Island that want a shot at the treasure chest. There are ethnic frustrations within the Democratic party, particularly within the Latino caucus. There is the need for the new appointee to be able to raise lots of money ($30 million or more) for reelections in both 2010 and 2012. There is the fact that Paterson would have to share a ticket with his appointment in 2010 and the alluring possibility of picking a rival to prevent a primary challenge, someone like Andrew Cuomo, perhaps, who since his divorce from Kerry Kennedy, has not been seen as so close to the Camelot clan.
Then we can look at all the reasons that Caroline Kennedy (Schlossberg now, apparently, optional) may not be ideal. For starters, she is much less well known in New York Democratic circles than either her late brother, John Jr., or her cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Judith Hope, the former state Democratic chair told me last week, "Recognizing her obvious qualities, I think Caroline is just an unknown quantity to many of us, and to the general public." Her other hazards: She has scant professional experience outside of book writing and fundraising, has yet to demonstrate the workaholic grit of the seat's current occupant, Hillary Clinton, and has shown herself at several occasions to be an underwhelming speaker. Finally, as Joe points out, we are entering an age of relative meritocracy and anti-dynasty, a trend that is only highlighted by the Blagojevich scandal.
None of this is to say that Caroline Kennedy would make a bad senator, or that her competition is not more deeply flawed. (Kennedy would certainly have an easier time raising money than some others.) But as we all take time to remember Camelot, to recall Caroline at her father's funeral, the IRA bomb that almost killed her, and the admirable and altruistic life she has lived since then, we should also remember that this is not a binary choice for Paterson. He must first plan to deal with at least "nine enemies and one ingrate."
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Okay now everyone has weighed in on the New York senate race.
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I'm just waiting to see what Jeb does over in Florida. Now that could be interesting.
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PNNTO: Yeah, our long national nightmare is now over!
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From now until the moment he decides, the press will portray Patterson's dilemma as a light switch, a white-and-black choice between Kennedy and Other
This is one of the most sensible things you've typed in a while. I can't help but notice though that both you and Joe seem to be fond of referring to 'the press' in the third person. It's almost paradoxical!
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queen
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I live in Florida and I think Jeb Bush's supposed support in this state is GROSSLY overstated. If they run a strong candidate against him he will get beat in a landslide -
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ok, I'm an idiot, but what does the NYT article "Sir Hugh Fraser Dead; Long a Tory Legislator" linked to from "IRA bomb" have to do with Caroline almost dying from an IRA bomb?
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This pick has become its own parlor game, much to my enjoyment. I love watching right wing heads explode as they contemplate another Kennedy in high office. I love watching the heads of the Clintonite faction explode with umbrage and indignation that this "lightweight" who had the nerve to endorse Obama during primary season could replace their beloved Hillary.
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I love all of it.
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In truth, I don't really care who Patterson appoints. But it sure is fun to watch! -
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alaskanturkey, the obit mentions the incident. Caroline was staying at Fraser's house when his car blew up.
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I'm enjoying my own state's process.
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I'm watching a stream of the state board reviewing each challenged ballot.
In true Minnesota fashion they are rejecting the challenges almost 100 percent.
At least in the time I have been watching. -
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Michael - C'mon man, don't ask for the laugh - let it come to you. Premature articulation. It happens sometimes.
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You know, considering all the hubbub with Wall Street this year, there may be some substantial anti-downstate sentiment this year. It may eliminate a lot of candidates who are seen as too cozy with the financiers. (How vulnerable would Schumer be if he were running in the current environment?)
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Patterson better tread carefully.
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Funny thought: Wouldn't it be interesting if Spitzer's indiscretion is quietly forgiven, in light of his crusading against Wall Street? -
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I would appoint Spitzer only to balance the apparent prostitution gap that exists with Vitter. No each party would have one.
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Nobody on the street like Spitzer...nobody! -
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Patterson will appoint himself...particularly after this...
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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/17/nyregion/17budget.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1229454270-b7+uygB7dBEh1azALYKKhg -
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Re Florida, from Florida.
Jeb's gonna dance for a while, but honestly he is making too much money in the private sector and the Bush name is mud at the national level. While he may play somewhat well in Florida, it's all poop for most of the rest of the country who probably will never consider another Bush for President. Look for the 800 pound gorilla to stay in the light all the way until late 2009, when he will yield to another Republican probably hand picked by himself. No doubt he'd like to play puppet master in an effort to grease up the flow of money to him and his down the road.
Apointing Kennedy can also be a caretaker pick folks. We all think she's in it for the duration, but she makes a great pick who can deliver for New York in an Obama administration for two years and then decide that the Senate is not as much fun as maybe a high position in the Obama administration. She transistions into the administration and the Democrats have time to groom someone other than the other cast of characters (read losers) currently on the radar. There is talent in the wings it just needs some time to develop.
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Updating Minnesota, not that anyone seems to be interested, the board has been very agressive in allowing the ballots to be counted, that is to reject the challenges, as state law directs.
As Coleman had over a 1000 challenges and Franken had fewer than 500 it is looking good for Franken. -
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PNNTO: I'm hoping that this will end soon so that in the 2014 election, we'll know who would be up for re-election.
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MS: I want the 5 minutes back that i just spent going to all those links..
Facial hair: it seems to send sort of a "hiding something" message - although I thought Al Gore's beard was kinda hot. -
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Ha Andy.
The process has actually been pretty impressive Andy. A big job that has been methodically executed. Steady progress the whole time. -
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I like Caroline even though people like Jonah Goldberg and William Kristol often complain about nepotism.
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I'm sorry for this OT, but irony of "bankrupt lawyers" needed to be shared:
http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/business/2008/12/16/D95403N80_lawyer_arrested/index.html
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PNNTO: Having some friends who are native Minnesotans, your description of the process is not a surprise.
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Norm Coleman and his wife lawyering up, is a big surprise. There's a "he's just an empty suit (paid for by someone else)" line lurking in the wings. -
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I though Bill Richardson looked way better with the beard.
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