Kennedy says 9/11, Obama led her to public service

[inanna]

Source: AP

In her first sit-down interview since she emerged as a Senate hopeful, the 51-year-old daughter of President John F. Kennedy told The Associated Press that she has always pondered jumping into politics, but waited for the right moment.

"I am an unconventional choice. I understand that. I haven't pursued the traditional path. But I think that in our public life today, we're starting to see there are many ways into public life and public service," she said.

<snip>

"This is going to be a multiyear effort to fix this economic crisis. So in order to be effective, I would plan to stay at it," Kennedy said in a wide-ranging interview at the Gee Whiz diner a few blocks north of the World Trade Center site.

Between bites of a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich, Kennedy said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and her work for Barack Obama's presidential campaign inspired her to act on her public service impulses.



Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CAROLINE_KENNEDY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-12-27-06-10-58

[Baby Snooks]

1. Surprised and dismayed?

"I was really surprised and dismayed by my voting record," she said. "I'm glad it's been brought to my attention."

The political process apparently was not a priority for her until she decided to become a politician. And even then it isn't a priority.

"I am a Kennedy. Therefore, you will give me the seat."

I think it's time for American to finally move beyond the family dynasties.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

2. To me her voting record is not a big deal

Many people do not vote -disillusionment with the voting system and our gov't is one big reason. I can imagine Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg has more reason than most of us to be disillusioned and mistrustful.

[Octafish]

6. Most of the elections she missed were primaries.

So, if she takes sides, she's using her name.
So, if she doesn't vote, she's using her name.

IMO, she would continue the work begun by her father.
He had a pretty good name.

[Cha]

7. I agree, Octafish..I saw her

30 minute interview last night on local tv, "Inside the Capital" and was impressed by what she's done with her life and how she handles herself..including her sense of humor.

[disndat]

3. It's a done deal, folks,

so forget about it, take a deep breath, and relax. She will be a great representative of New York. Sorry, Andrew, Robert K, Jerry N, , and the rest of the New York Democratic delegates who voted to support H.C. in the primaries. You're out and Caroline is in. Caroline showed great courage and conviction when she came out early and against the tide for Obama She may not have a lot of experience but she's going have greater political clout than hard-working H.C. With the Kennedy name and Obama behind her, she will do just fine for New York State, as well as for the rest of the country.

[bottomtheweaver]

5. Thanks, I sure hope you're right.

To hear the media spin it Paterson has all but sworn never to let Caroline darken his door ever.

[Baby Snooks]

8. Hillary's in too in case you didn't notice...

Barack Obama doesn't seem to mind Hillary or her supporters. So why would anyone else?

At first I supported it. Even when I hesitated I supported it. The country needs a memory of Camelot. New York, however, needs a senator.

I no longer supported it when she announced she would agree to financial disclosures AFTER she is appointed. How arrogant.

As for her patriotic sense of duty as a result of 9/11 I would like to know how much she contributed to the assistance funds. I bet nothing.

As for her patriotic sense of duty as a result of 9/11 I would like to know where she was on 9/11.

I know where Leona Helmsley was. She at a fire station in Manhattan handing the firemen a check for $5 million. And opening her hotels to anyone who needed a meal or a room. On the house. So where was Caroline?

Camelot died that day in Dallas. Time to move on finally.

[davefromqueens]

12. well said

The bashing of CK is coming from camps that want her seat.

She's done plenty in 51 years and like you said, she came out early for Obama. I still consider her endorsement Obama's biggest for it gave him gravitas and carried so much weight. Without her endorsement, who knows.

[Baby Snooks]

13. Done plenty for whom?

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/12/25/2008-12-25_lack_of_donations_to_city_state_dems_may.html

Apart from $30,000 to the Clintons, she's managed to give $1,000 to a New York Democrat. None to the party in New York. Nothing.

And she supported Bloomberg? She's quite a Democrat. The new breed of Democrat. A Republicrat.

[bottomtheweaver]

15. Did you read or watch her NY1 interview?

Here's what she said: "I've been a Democrat all my life. . . . you know, a Democrat through and through. I've always voted Democratic." In other words, she voted for Ferrer in 2005

Here's a thread about the subject with links to the NY1 interview:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4721378&mesg_id=4721378

[Baby Snooks]

17. So maybe she lied...

She openly supported Bloomberg.

[2Design]

4. so glad she has come forward - we need more like her and her family involved n/t

[ryanmuegge]

9. Riiiiight.

[The Second Stone]

10. I'm glad to see her back

I'm not surprised that she didn't vote for a long time. Her father and uncle were both victims of political assassination for their views, and that's enough to disillusion anyone. I'm glad to see she sees hope in our future.

[davefromqueens]

11. Caroline Kennedy would make a fine Senator

[customerserviceguy]

14. So would a lot of other fine New Yorkers

who will have to wait their turn until Chuck Schumer retires, or the Repuke who beats Caroline in 2010 finishes his first term...

[bottomtheweaver]

16. Who did you have in mind?

Anyone in particular?

[Baby Snooks]

18. Anyone but Caroline....

That may sound hateful but she's really got an arrogance about her that a growing number of people really don't like.

[bottomtheweaver]

19. It does sound a little harsh.

I'm guessing there's some leftover ill will from her primary endorsement, but are you at least happy that it looks like a woman will probably get the seat?

[customerserviceguy]

21. Nita Lowey comes to mind

She stepped aside when Hillary Clinton moved into New York, because she saw the larger goal of being able to have a woman President. Now that Hillary is done with the Senate seat, shouldn't Nita be given some consideration?

There are loads of people who have worked in the trenches to deal with the problems that everyday New Yorkers have, these folks have significant governmental experience in getting things done. I'd much rather see one of them appointed.

[rocktivity]

20. Translation: 9/11 and Obama have inspired me

to take a crack at a political career greased by my family name so I won't have to start on the bottom."

:headbang:
rocknation