Is ABC News jumping the gun, or is this the real deal?
A Democrat who would know tells ABC News that New York governor David Paterson has talked to Caroline Kennedy about taking the seat, which was once held by her uncle, Robert F. Kennedy. It's not exactly shocking that Paterson would reach out to one of the most highly respected public figures in New York, but this is: Sources say Kennedy is considering it, and has not ruled out coming to Washington to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate.
A few years ago, the famously private Caroline Kennedy would be the last Kennedy expected to serve in Congress, but of course, she took on a much more high-profile role during the presidential campaign and, if she does it, would be more than New York's junior Senator; she'd have closer ties to the Obama White House than any of her colleagues, a direct line to the East Wing.
Speculation over who Governor Paterson will appoint has been inextricably tied to which constituency the appointment would help him with. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Congresspeople Kirsten Gillibrand & Brian Higgins would appeal to upstate voters, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez and Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. would appeal to Hispanic voters, and so on.
So what constituency would appointing Caroline Kennedy most ingratiate Governor Paterson to? National Obama donors and the President-elect himself. I'm not saying that Caroline Kennedy doesn't merit consideration. But, if we're analyzing each pick through the prism of Governor Paterson's upside, that would be it: national money and White House access. I can't say if that's more advantageous than "upstate voters," for instance, but the star power and access increasing the ability to secure funding for home state projects would be tempting. We may yet have to wait a bit to see if ABC News' report is valid, though. Stay tuned.
(Side question: Would having another Senator Kennedy allow Massachusetts voters to be less compelled to elect another Senator Kennedy themselves when Senator Ted Kennedy retires or resigns early due to health considerations?) |
