Bloomberg Defends Caroline Kennedy as Replacement for Hillary Clinton's Senate Seat

BY ERIN EINHORN and KENNETH LOVETT
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

"The governor should make a decision reasonably quickly because this is just getting out of control," Bloomberg said. "Everybody's focusing on the wrong things."

The mayor launched into a long defense of Caroline Kennedy, under attack from some Democrats who don't believe she is qualified.

Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Queens) sharpened the tone ofthe criticism on Sunday whenhe said Kennedy has been "Palin-ized" - sold as a dazzling package and protected from tough media scrutiny.

Kennedy has submitted only written responses to questions of where she stands on issues, and yesterday, an aide said that unlike many, but not all, of New York's top leaders, she would not release her tax returns if she is picked.

Kennedy may be taking extra heat because she is thelate President John F. Kennedy's daughter, Bloomberg said.

"The fact that she comes from a family with an illustrious history of service to this country, you certainly shouldn't hold it against her," the mayor said.

Bloomberg, whose aides have been pushing Kennedy, said a fledgling senator doesn't need a tight grasp on policy.

"Being a senator, you don't have to know about every issue coming in," he said. "That's what your staffs are for."

"They're one out of 100 people that vote together," Bloomberg said, "and Caroline Kennedy is eminently qualified to be a senator."

Bloomberg said there are other qualified choices under consideration and insisted he is not backing a specific candidate.

Sources say Bloomberg's top aide, Kevin Sheekey, is working for Kennedy behind the scenes. She has also hired a consulting firm with ties to the mayor.

Sen. Chuck Schumer has vowed to stay neutral.

Meanwhile, state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who is also considered a front-runner for the seat, took a mild slap at Kennedy and others who are politicking for the job.

Cuomo, speaking on Albany's WGDJ Talk 1300 AM, denied a published report that he is feeling frustrated and stymied by not being able to openly lobby for the Senate seat, insisting he is "very, very happy" in his current job.

"I could campaign, lobby; I could offer opinions," Cuomo said. "I could speak to it. I don't think it's appropriate. I don't think it's appropriate as I serve as attorney general."

Paterson, who is in Iraq visiting the troops with Rep. Steve Israel, a Long Island Democrat who also wants the job, won't announce a replacement until after Clinton is confirmed as President-elect Barack Obama's secretary of state.

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