Caroline Kennedy Reportedly Backs Out
Both the New York Post and New York Times are reporting this evening that Caroline Kennedy has told New York Governor David Paterson that she does not want to be considered to fill the now-vacant seat of Hillary Clinton in the United States Senate. (UPDATE: The New York Post, which initially reported the Kennedy withdrew citing "personal reasons," is now saying she did it "after learning that Gov. David Paterson wasn't going to choose her.")
The news is a startling development, coming as it does within hours of Clinton's confirmation as Secretary of State and her resulting resignation from the Senate. The New York Times reports that Caroline Kennedy's concern for her uncle's health prompted the decision. Senator Ted Kennedy, who is suffering from brain cancer, was hospitalized yesterday after suffering a seizure at a Capitol lunch in honor of the newly inaugurated President. However, Ted Kennedy was released from the hospital today, and it is not clear that there has been any change in the grim prognosis he received when his cancer was first diagnosed last May.
Caroline Kennedy had seemed to have a lock on the Senate appointment when she first signaled her interest last month. It was thought that her famous last name alone would give her an edge in a Senate seat where she would have to run twice in the next four years--first in a 2010 special election, and then when the term expires in 2012--and could have to raise as much as $100 million. However, her initial round of media interviews and public appearances proved her to be an unsteady politician. Recent polling has suggested that New Yorkers would prefer their Attorney General Andrew Cuomo--himself a member of a famous political dynasty, and a former cousin-in-law of Caroline Kennedy.
In this election, however, there is only one voter: Governor Paterson, who has the sole power to appoint Clinton's successor. Although Paterson initially seemed enthusiastic about her prospects, my colleague Mark Halperin reports that the Governor has been frustrated with her lack of political acumen -- and failure to take his private advice about how she should conduct herself. Some of his associates believe he came to think that she wouldn't be that good a person to share the ballot with in 2010.
UPDATE: There is much confusion tonight, as Kennedy's allies try to tamp this story down. And still the reports continue. I have been unable to rouse her spokesman by email, and his voicemailbox is full. My assumption is that this story is coming from Paterson's team. But at this point, I throw up my hands.
UPDATE:
This statement from Caroline Kennedy hit my emailbox at 12:07 a.m.:
"I informed Governor Paterson today that for personal reasons I am
withdrawing my name from consideration for the United States Senate."
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1
I would take anything Halperin said and go in the other direction. He proved throughout this campaign that as a journalist he is unreliable at best and as a pundit he was just plain wrong most of the time.
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2
This is terrible news for Obama.
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3
Paterson has been a very interesting politician since becoming governor. It look like he is his own man, bucking the pressure to appoint CK. I hope it's Maloney.
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4
Oh and how incredibly self-serving is it to say that the basis of judgment for picking the next Senator from NY is how well they did with the press. Tell me what is the role of the fourth estate these days is it the voice of the people, watch dog, defining the state of the culture or have you finally dispensed with the formalities and declared at last that you people want to take over the kingmaker function in the 21st century
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5
Nothing against Ms. Kennedy, but fortunately, we in New York have the undoubtedly qualified, thoroughly in-touch, quite representative "better Democrat" Carolyn Maloney to thank for having her hat in the ring.
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Depriving Chris Matthews of more banal subject matter for his show is only secondary in my considerations, of course. -
6
Caroline Favre.
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7
Shouldn't that have read: "my 'colleague' Mark Halperin," or at least employing some Joey airquotes.
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8
Stuart, rendering Chris Matthews speechless should make one eligible for the Pulizer Prize and the Sigma Delta Chi award.
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Dee, I think that CK didn't do herself any favors in her trips upstate. Asking the press for questions in advance was Palinian at worst, poor judgment at best. CK could have spent more time prepping for her public encounters. The verbal tics (you know) can be overlooked, when there is content behind the answers. Also, refusing to back a Dem vs. Bloomberg was the final nail in the coffin, IMHO. -
9
That's not fair, pourmecoffee. But it's very, very funny. Thank goodness I'm a Patriots fan.
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10
I know I might get flamed for saying this and I am not trying to be callous here, BUT if Ted Kennedy's health condition is truly the reason she is withdrawing from consideration what does that say about her committment to begin with? I pray that Ted pulls through but I don't think any of us have any illusions that its a no brainer that he will. And unfortunately Congress persons have to be able to deal with personal strategies at times and still do their job. I don't know that it really is why she pulled out but to my mind I think it conveys the wrong message if she is the one that put that out whether its the truth or not.
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11
And to be preemeptive, yes rose83 I realize that in some way shape or form my statement is sexist.
.
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12
hey sg, there's no fun in taking you to task if you're going to do it yourself.
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13
I don't want to sound callous, but my Dad died of brain cancer at around Teddy's age. After you get the diagnosis, there's are absolutely no surprises. It just proceeds exactly as you'd expect, with slight timeline variations. If that was her personal reason, she wasted everyone's time.
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14
strategies should be tragedies. I guess preview doesn't help if you don't use it.
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15
Olbermann just said Kennedy did not bow out
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16
strategies should be tragedies
Tell me more about your theories. I would like to buy your tapes and attend your seminars.
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17
"my colleague Mark Halperin..."
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Were those words to ever pass my lips, I would have to do some serious soul searching.
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"Although Paterson initially seemed enthusiastic about her prospects, my colleague Mark Halperin reports that the Governor has been frustrated with her lack of political acumen -- and failure to take his private advice about how she should conduct herself."
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Something seems amiss...applying Costanza Principle:
loading....
loading....
loading...
FINISHED
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RESULTS: Apparently Patterson was unenthusiastic about Kennedy from jump street and has had little if any contact w/ Caroline Kennedy.
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Olbermann just now...Kennedy did not withdraw. Conclusion: our media sucks. Absolutely sucks. -
18
KO also said a little while ago that the UN might investigate Bush and Rummy for War Crimes. Im crossing my fingers
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19
hurts real bad. feels like someone just stabbed me in the back. oh well. so long dear caroline
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20
I'll say this: the NYT front page article up right now is kind of laugh-out-loud funny in terms of its sourcing:
Caroline Kennedy has withdrawn from consideration for the vacant Senate seat in New York, according to a person told of her decision.
[Link]"According to a person told of her decision?". Airtight.
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21
You know, I am wondering if Cuomo might be behind this. It certainly seems like his people are throwing her under the bus behind the scenes.
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22
this is indeed v v weird. lots of confusion tonight. my assumption is that all of this is coming out of paterson's office.
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24
pourme
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I think that guy quit -
25
Isay hasn't quit, but he doesn't appear to know what's going on either:
A family source said cousin Kerry Kennedy spoke with both Paterson and Caroline Kennedy's political consultant, Josh Isay, and neither was aware she was bowing out.
[Link]This is a WHO question. Who is the Times/Post source? It has to be someone of almost unimpeachable reliability to be relied upon to got FRONT PAGE SCREAMER without a confirmation from Kennedy herself. Who?
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