A blog about politics.

Caroline Kennedy Hits Some Bumps

The Page notes that Caroline Kennedy's public approval in New York state is slipping, while Andrew Cuomo, once an in-law of the Kennedy clan, is gaining ground. This seems like bad news for Camelot fans, given that Kennedy is campaigning as the inevitable successor for Hillary Clinton's senate job. (The whole "inevitable" thing didn't work out so well for Clinton.)

One reason Kennedy's momentum may be stalling: There is something a bit claustrophobic about the whole high-society world that Kennedy claims as her own, a fact that is magnified by Kennedy's own relatively thin resume. As one example, Ben Smith points to this passage from Michael Wolff's new biography of Rupert Murdoch:

As Rupert Murdoch begins to plot to get the Wall Street Journal, he's also worried about getting Grace into private school in New York. He wants her to go to Brearley, where [an older daughter] went. He recruits Gary Ginsberg, who knows the Kennedys, to help him get Caroline Kennedy, a Brearley Alumna and board member, to write a letter on Grace's behalf.

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  • 1

    Wow. Halperin scoops Drudge. Film at 11.

  • 2

    A new Research 2000 poll seems to dispute that conclusion - Kennedy has strong favorables and beats potential GOP opponents (including Giuliani) in head-to-head matchups:

    http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/1/15/125749/332/26/684425

  • 3

    Rich people scratching each other's backs? Fukking shocking!

  • 4

    Right now she is campaigning for a voter of 1. How much do these public polls matter in that equation? Should Patterson follow the public polls?

  • 6

    Oy vey. I think it's even money that CK gets the appointment. She would have had favorable odds just a couple of weeks ago. She doesn't come across as compelling any more, IMHO.
    .
    Also I remember where I was when her father was shot.

  • 7

    Those would be strange bedfellows, indeed!

    I still hope Kennedy gets in.

  • 8

    She also may have to face a primary as well. At least I hope Maloney runs against her, if Kennedy is picked.

  • 9

    Mike, I know Princess Kennedy On Senate Safari is an easy (and worthy enough) target, but I do hope in future updates/posts you go after the always-shucking-and-jiving Prince Andrew of Cuomo, as well as any other instance of cronyism and nepotism (two plagues in the establishment often rebranded as "inevitability" and "electability").
    .
    BTW, even Fox Noise admitting through Rasmussen that she'd take Peter King.
    .
    http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/InsideFox/Detail?contentId=8242625&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=5.2.1

  • 10

    The weaker her standing in the public, the worse it is for Paterson and the rest of the state GOP
    .
    I know it's just a mistake. But it's got a certain freudian air about it....

  • 11

    I wonder if this ever happens among "elite" pundits and journalists?

  • 12

    Oh, and one reason the seat is such a plum is that it is hard to imagine NY electing a Republican in the current climate, regardless of who the Democratic candidate is 2010. Again, what's egregious about this is handing the incumbency to someone who I do not believe could win a primary for an open seat.

  • 13

    It's astonishing how little I care about this.

  • 14

    Cliff, I'm not astonished at all. It's clearly a south of Westchester, make that Bronx county story.

  • 15

    Carolyn's candidacy was pretty much over after the Dominic Carter interview for the local NYC Time-Warner cable channel NY1.

    Besides all the gratuitous (and rather un-Senatorial) "you knows" during the interview, the big story of that interview was her statement that she will not run for Senate in 2010 if Paterson doesn't select her now.

    That promise disregards the possibilty that Paterson selects a placeholder, in anticipation of a real primary race for the 2010 candidate.

    We New York Democrats do enjoy our primaries!

  • 16

    Who friggin' cares? This is getting as inane as American Idol, with the equally-inane Mark Halperin in the Ryan Seacrest role.
    .
    This country needs a serious education upgrade. Maybe then wouldn't end up with "leaders" like President Numbnutz, Blagojevich and Paterson.
    .
    And a dolt like Mark Halperin would be looking for work.

  • 17

    Ugh. I'm hoping Cuomo does not get this, though I'm not a New Yorker. Cuomo reminds me of Mark Green, the only democrat I couldn't bring myself to vote for when I was a New Yorker.
    .
    I know he lost to Pataki in a state-wide race, but I'm wondering why I haven't heard Carl McCall's name mentioned. Very dynamic speaker, I thought.

  • 18

    Relatively thin resume? Sure. Relative to, say, mine. There, I'll out and out say it, as a New Yorker. It's an insult that she's even being considered for the spot and I'm not. I am way younger, haven't had her advantages, and am way more qualified for the job.

  • 19

    Why hasn't Patterson made his decision yet? Why is this dragging out. Pick someone already so we can all move on.

  • 20

    It's clearly a south of Westchester, make that Bronx county story.
    .
    Man, I'm from Arizona, so it's like you're speaking Greek right now.

  • 21

    "Why hasn't Patterson made his decision yet?"

    .
    As a non-New Yorker who has an interest in the decisions made by the U.S. Senate - I'm rather hoping David Patterson has more than two choices on his plate.
    .
    A Scott Gration type-pick would be nice. (Out of nowhere pick for NASA; the more I read the more I like.)

  • 22

    Mark Green, the only democrat I couldn't bring myself to vote for when I was a New Yorker.
    .
    I went to a fundraiser for him when he ran against D'Amato. What an unpleasant man he was. i was just in Albany on a citizen lobbying trip with some other people. Green's name came up as possibly running for public advocate. One comment was "He's run a lot. He's lost a lot. At some point, shouldn't it become clear to him that there's a reason for that."

  • 23

    queen, cliff, and aaron, my sentiments exactly. Not being from NY upper state and lower state means little to me (although really I do understand). So, it's your pick Patterson. Just do it already. Let's end this empty debate.

  • 24

    Hey, folks (including a few from New York, apparently), it's P-A-T-E-R-S-O-N.

  • 25

    palin, not being from NY, I don't care. (just a joke, don't take it personally)

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