Home > Opinion > Michael Barone > On Caroline Kennedy: If She’s to Be Anything Like Clinton, Schumer, or Her Uncle RFK, She Better Look North

On Caroline Kennedy: If She’s to Be Anything Like Clinton, Schumer, or Her Uncle RFK, She Better Look North

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Why, oh why are Americans so naive when it comes to politics? Too many 'soaps', too much media hype? Would you go to an unlicensed doctor, auto mechanic, exterminator, plumber, elecrician, etc.? Doubt it. So why are so many people endorsing this woman? At least Palin IS an elected governor, intelligence aside. But this is ridiculous! Wake up, New York State residents, and demand that a law be enacted mandating a special elections for these occasions, with perhaps the NYS Legislature stepping in if necessary. We MUST take this important decision out of any governor's hands, especially an unelected one.

ChristmasTree of NY 11:28AM January 18, 2009

She has no accomplishments unless you count getting into Harvard and Columbia because of the Kennedy name accomplishments. She acts as if the governor is her servant and must appoint her, becuase she so commands. She and the rest of Kennedeys are a national disgrace. Her murdering uncle, her adultoring father, uncle and cousins, irresponsible brother.... The Kennedys have done nothing but hurt people, their reputations and this country/

Hugo Pottee of NJ 4:02PM December 27, 2008

She has no accomplishments unless you count getting into Harvard and Columbia because of the Kennedy name accomplishments. She acts as if the governor is her servant and must appoint her, becuase she so commands. She and the rest of Kennedeys are a national disgrace. Her murdering uncle, her adultoring father, uncle and cousins, irresponsible brother.... The Kennedys have done nothing but hurt people, their reputations and this country/

Hugo Pottee of NJ 4:02PM December 27, 2008

On the shallow side: I'm afraid Caroline bears a marked resemblence to Martin Short's ugly sister. At least it's an improvement over Michele Obama's perpetual sneer. If we are to have a Kennedy forced upon us, can we at least have one not so homely?

Cupcake of TX 12:19PM December 27, 2008

Aside from the limitations and problems pointed out by Barone and the posters, that woman is dull!! I'm a chronic insomniac, but a speech by her would have me out within minutes. When unscripted, she merely recites the same old trite liberal mantras. Pete King would rip her to shreds, and if Obama turns the country rightward, she'd have real electoral problems.
So: Run, Caroline, run!!!
And the audacity of those liberals who derided Palin's qualifications and now push Kennedy for the Senate because she has been a wife and a mother, as they put it.

Steve G. of NJ 8:20PM December 24, 2008

"McCain offered up a political dunce"
I see you were taken in by the "Quailing" of Palin by the Dems and the media.

Hawk of PA 4:33PM December 22, 2008

What's interesting is that suddenly CK wants into the public fray. Why? She spent so many years declaring that she wanted to be left alone. Now she wants to be handed the title of Senator without any work. Is she smart...you betcha...but does she care about the problems and issues that confront NY and the USA? What bother me is all the missed opportunities to vote...doesn't show much interest in the political process to me. If I were Patterson I'd be looking for someone smart, committed and passionate about serving the state (not just a resume filler),is scandal free, who can get elected and will serve NY well. If that's CK then so be it. Let's face it John McCain offered up a political dunce just a heart beat away from the Presidency and some folks voted for him. CK is no dummy and has an understanding of the constitution...which we need if we're going to pull it out of the dumpster and restore it's position as the foundation of our country.

Eliza pentworth of GA 1:28PM December 22, 2008

One other potential problem for Kennedy is that Peter King is a very popular Congressman from Nassau county, which could potentially cut into her margins in the Long Island suburbs.

Sean Oxendine of NY 9:55AM December 22, 2008

She supposedly lives in New York City yet few even knew she existed, let alone living in the neighborhood. Even if Paterson makes a mistake and appoints her she will not be elected in by any margin! I bet you many New Yorkers think Upper East Side socialites with no major achievements of their own like Caroline Kennedy should stick to charity work and throwing dinner parties. The only people who care about the name Kennedy are the baby-boomers and they are not the majority in NYC now and there'll be even fewer of them living here in 2012. No to Caroline Kennedy, she is unqualified and has no quantifiable achievements. The Kennedy name is unimportant today, the people that the name matters to will have retired to Florida by 2012, maybe Caroline Kennedy should move to Florida.

mieoux of NY 12:01AM December 22, 2008

JFK was President for only 2 years and had no lasting accomplishments. The press reports the Cuban Missle Crises as a JFK victory when in fact it was a victory by Khrushchev in getting our missle's out of Turkey. JFK had charisma and the press fell in love with the guy. We still see that love reporting today and I'm sure we'll see the same for Caroline. She'll be the next immaculate conception where only excellent comments may be said about her. The press will get her elected to anything she wants. Who in the world are these people in the press? Are they mostly spoiled naive brats from the NE? What a disservice they do for this country.

Rick of PA 9:19AM December 21, 2008