Why are so many of us who feel deep in our bones that the Family Dynasty of the Walker-Bushes is a bad thing for America so ready to fall giddily to our knees in front of the Kennedys and Clintons?

I know there are some long-term policy differences, but if you look at the overall power structure of the Elites in America, it’s all the same club, folks.

Wall Street gleefully greases palms on both sides, and look where we are.

While I feel Caroline could be a fine Senator, I’m troubled by her current refusal to reveal standard financial records that all candidates for a public office must disclose. This makes me question her judgment.

She has been a sporadic voter in New York. To me this shows personal indifference to an essential function of our society. She does not deserve to be an elected official.

I find it sad that there is not one other State Senator or member of Congress from the state of New York who can be chosen for this seat.

Caroline Kennedy is not suitable for this job. Her qualifications are not up to scratch. I’m sorry for her families tragic history, but there is a level of a political machine at work. Patterson is looking of an insider to get money for his state, if he picks her it’s all about money and influence. Which is what this is about. To frame this as anything else is wrong, and cynical.

Shame on Tom for playing the Kennedy funeral, this is shameful manipulation of peoples emotions.
He keeps using the her fathers speeches and soundbites, this is a terrible show so far.

I can’t believe what I’m hearing so far, thank you Carl Cannon for giving some perspective to this.

I agree, her father was assassinated, this is a tragic event. This does not give her the right to ask for this seat. Bottom line she does not deserve this, she does not have any passion, you can see that.

She’s Democrat royalty; there’s no way she won’t get it; either now, in two or four years. It’s hers except for the nameplate on the desk.

Experience is of little value in this world of change. Obama has little, Clinton little more, and Kennedy least of all. Whatever. She’s an idealist and that’s enough.

Why not Louise Slaughter? Experienced Congresswoman representing the Rochester NY area since 1986. Why hasn’t she even been mentioned? Why overlook someone with her charisma and experience?

Every now and then the right person surfaces because they are in the right place at the right time, not by having fought their way exactly, and Caroline Kennedy may be one. Obama may be another.
I am a Massachusetts person, watching an ailing Ted Kennedy, not having worried a lot about corruption in the Kennedy family, nor about what way they bend and why. I’d say Caroline Kennedy has had a while to shape her values and if she says she’s ready to start in a tough new direction, I’m ready to see it.

You know, I’m surprised at your guest from The Nation. As far as I can tell, it would be a great idea to throw out all of the Congress and staart from scratch. No lobbying, no payoffs by the oil companies, just well-educated people who love the Constitution and their country stepping up to serve. Caroline is fine by me!

Interesting to read the different perspectives or better yet, opinions. One says there is no passion, asking for the seat is in its way passion just not expressed in the manner one is expecting. Clearly, she has no special interest, no need for fame, nor need for money, just desire to be a public servant by way of entering the business her family has been involved in for many years. This is truly the desire we need – NY needs.

The woman on this show is annoying me, in part, because she sounds like an “age-ist.” So what if Kennedy is 51? Yikes.

Jeff, I don’t think we in New York are going to get the senator you like. Q, Louise Slaughter is my congressional representative – she would make a great senator but I suspect she is not interested because of her age (born in 1929). Everyone, I think you are overlooking the fact that Caroline Kennedy has experienced in one of the areas that is most important to get things done in Washington – working behind the scenes. Finally, I agree with those who think that too much “fire in the belly” may not be good for the country and I would like a senator who can make a difference nationally in these difficult times. Bringing home the bacon for Western New York is not first on my list. Gov. Patterson, please choose well!

What ever happened to her legal last name, was Kennedy – Schlossberg just too pretentious even for the NPR audience?
She is a debutant turned dilettante and if appointed to the Senate let there be no complaining … we got the government we deserve.

I can appreciate Governor Paterson’s dilemma.

Perhaps he should consult with Eliot Spitzer: the disgraced governor seems to have a list of women with “fire in the belly”.

Well this is New York’s problem. If she was trying to get her uncle Ted’s seat in Massachusetts I would not vote for her. Unless she could prove to me that she has something to offer. Ted Kennedy is going to be on hard seat to fill when he is gone.

My point is not just about passion, it’s all about money.
Patterson is looking at her and he sees dollar signs for raising money and having access to Obama.

Patterson is one shrewd politician.

I still hold to the premise that there has to be more experienced people for this job then Caroline Kennedy.

But if she does get it, I which her luck, she’s going to need in that den of vipers we call the Senate.

Pardon my ignorance, but if Clinton is NOT confirmed by the Senate, what happens? In order to be scrutinized by the committee, has she already given up her seat?

As a Western New Yorker I am pretty outraged by all the calls from people in GA, VT, etc to appoint Caroline Kennedy. If she’s so darn great why don’t you draft her for your own states? If not, then please butt out!
Caroline might prove to be a great Senator for NY but I really think she should have to run for it. Patterson should get a placeholder in for the next two years and then let the open primary process take care of things in 2010. I was initially VERY skeptical of Hillary but she earned my trust and votes by campainging hard in all 62 counties, learning our issues and working hard. I don’t want a dilletante who is bored with charity work and thinks this job might be fun or stimulating. Caroline might prove to be the best Senator we’ve ever had but she needs to do the work to earn it first!

Sorry I couldn’t call this morning, will listen tonight, maybe someone brought this up: I wonder about Caroline Kennedy’s health. Her photos make her look emaciated and exhausted, her hair doesn’t shine — at 51 (still youngish these days). Wondering if she has the energy to be a senator.

Caroline Kennedy does not have the experience for the job. She should fit in quite well with the incoming administration. I believe it’s time we, the people move to get rid of legacy politicians and elect non politicians for a change. Apparently there is no requirement for experience or dedication to the American taxpayer. Anyone can sit around and collect an automatic, annual pay raise of around $4,000. Anyone can approve a $700 billion deal to rescue criminals in the financial world. When criminals rescue criminals is it considered a crime? Ted Kennedy is one of the biggest criminals in the senate. I guess because he’s a Kennedy folks just let him keep going.

We really should vote out all the current criminals and elect new folks, non politicians that at least go into the job caring about the American taxpayer. That’s REAL “fire in the belly!!!”

New Yorkers are really being shortsighted. If I lived there I would love to have a Senator who had the ear of the President. I suspect that no one would be closer to President Obama than Caroline Kennedy.

I also feel that Caroline Kennedy is not a good choice, simply for the fact that she doesn’t seem to have paid her dues. The Kennedys have given a lot to this country and to the Democratic Party but so have others and it sends the wrong message. I didn’t listen to the show, so I may have missed it, but I don’t understand why so few people mention Andrew Cuomo as a qualified and serious candidate for this appointment. Also, Carolyn Maloney, who has experience as a US representative and is strong on womens’ issues. – a former NYC resident (1979 – 1985)

Elizabeth Holtzman for the NY Senate seat please. She was the most qualified in 1980 when Jacob Javits decided to run after not getting the Republican nomination and getting a small percent of the independent/liberal Republican vote, thus dooming Holtzman’s bid and condemning New York to 18 years of Alphonse DiMatto. Governor Patterson, she’d make a great senator. Don’t be swayed by the Kennedy mystique.

After last sunday it’s obvious that Caroline Kennedy should be the new quarterback for the Jets this week.
1) It’s obvious that a lot of athletic males in their 20’s and 30’s have done the Jet’s little good. Why not give a non-athletic 51 year old woman a chance? It would be refreshing.
2) She knows the new york area. Presumably that includes the Meadowlands.
3) She has written two books, I think.
4) She would automatically become the most interesting player in the NFL. And she knows a lot of influencial people.
5) Her lifelong interest in playing football parallels her lifelong interest in politics.
(If these points seem familiar, it’s because I have cribbed them from some of the people who are still supporting Caroline for the Senate–sorry for the lack of originality)
(

There is no school for senators nor for presidents. All you need to be is a lawful US citizen over a certain age!Career politicians are way overated!!The nation voted for Bush, let’s all remember that…Caroline is probably the best candidate for NY, she’s not in there for fame and fortune, she’ll be a breath of fresh air, believe me

On the shy issue… my senator IS the most shy member of the body and he is highly respected and effective. In fact, he was discussed as possibly the democratic VP or SecDef nominee… Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

I am surprised that NPR hasn’t come forth to interview US Rep Caroline Maloney who has been in Congress for 16 years; served on a city council for several years before that. (You did interview Nita Lowery who is NOT interested). She has been endorsed by National Organization for Women and also the Feminist Majority. She is a hard worker; has provided nothing but public service, and she knows Washington of course! She has written a terrific book abt her life and what is needed in Congress. She is genuine, personable, sincere, and I hope Gov. Patterson sees the light (no pun intended). All this publicity for Caroline Kennedy is totally unjustified.

As a Canadian observing this from the outside, I can see that within one month after the Obama victory that Democrats have already gone back to forming their circular firing squad. Challenging the Republicans in New York State will take alot of money for advertising in the New York City market. I can’t see any of the other names mentioned Maloney?? Nadler?? matching the fundraising giants in the Republican Party like Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani who are also quite interested in this seat. For the Democratic party to retain this seat in the Senate, considering anyone other than Caroline Kennedy is laughable. Leave it to Democrats to never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

This Maloney should be watched. She is obviously Hillary’s surrogate in this struggle; her name is on the lips of nearly every major opponent of the Kennedy option. She is evidently (from above comments) a tool of liberal/feminist special interests (which is better than the alternative, but independence is still preferable). With one Senator hailing from Brooklyn already and a primary objection to Kennedy being her lack of connection to Upsate, it is unclear why Maloney, a Representative from Queens/Manhattan is getting such traction. That she is should be a signal of elite support in the (still soft) anti-Obama wing of the Dems.

I am sick and tried of hearing thugs from The Nation magazine being offered as “expert on any topic.”

These Bolsheviks wannabes all express the same propagandistic views.

By American standards,Caroline is qualified simply because she is a “Kennedy”. She may very well be the only Kennedy without skeletons in her closet. America needs to get over electing people from the upper crust. The Kennedy’s have a long record of political service, yet some of their personal exploits leave me sick. But, we Americans have never considered personal failures as a disqualifier for office.

Yet another example of how symbolism trumps substance in the US.

David the Nation is a progressive magazine and they are hardly what one would call Bolsheviks. They, and readers such as myself are no more Bolsheviks than your a fascist.

I think that it is terrific that Caroline Kennedy is seeking the appointment of U.S. Senator from New York. I feel that every American has a right to serve their country regardless of how much political experience they have. When a man or woman joins the military and is deployed into harm’s way, they don’t have prior experience of being shot at or bombs going off around them, yet they do a fantastic for us. Our country needs people like her who truly want to make a difference and are not in public service for a career, money, or power.

At first I thought — wow this woman has no qualifications to be the liberal candidate for Senate.

But wait — her uncle got a woman pregnant then drowned her, and her brother killed two sisters because he was an incompetent pilot…

I guess she has plenty of skeletons and corruption behind her and is a wealthy celebrity so she automatically qualifies for the immoral Democrats as their candidate.

First, Caroline Kennedy’s last name is Kennedy–no hyphenated last name; she did not take her husband’s name when she married. Yay Caroline!

Second, NH’s comments are not relevant to Caroline. She had no control over those events, and the remarks are hateful. Her uncle and brother she loves. Perhaps NH is too mean spirited to know love or to feel empathy. (By the way, I am a liberal from Massachusetts, and have NOT voted for Ted because that misogynous tragedy is HIS doing, not Caroline’s!!!)

Third, the Canadian Fred is so astute. He’s right, and this is a reason to support Caroline. She would have two years to earn the voters’ respect–or not–and then face election.