Instead of another Kennedy in Washington how about another African American in the Senate?

[ddeclue]

The Kennedies already have two members of Congress - one in the Senate - one in the House.

There are NO African American Senators now that Obama has resigned, yet they constitute 12% of the population. If there were parity between population and representation for African Americans in the Senate there would be SIX African American Senators.

Governor Patterson ought to appoint an African American to fill this seat. Perhaps Charlie Rangel, perhaps himself, perhaps someone else.

Do we really need another Kennedy in Congress - wouldn't this opportunity be better spent another way like putting an African American in the Senate?

Doug D.

[mwei924]

1. Rangel is in deep shit. And appointing himself is something we'd expect from Sarah Palin.

[Muttocracy]

2. double ditto. nt

[WI_DEM]

28. What's up with Rangel?

that he's in "deep shit"??

[Thrill]

3. The person he appoints has to be able to win 2 statewide elections in 4 ys

Which means you have to be a helluva fund raiser

[ddeclue]

6. It's NEW YORK... ANY Democrat would win handily...

BRIGHT BLUE... It's New York..

[TheWraith]

9. And in the primary?

You do know we have primaries here, right?

[ddeclue]

12. Democrat vs Democrat?

May the best Democrat win....

Whoever wins would win the general.

[onenote]

32. really -- do you actually know anything about New York politics?

If New York is as bright blue as you claim, how come:

The New York state senate had a Republican majority for 43 years (starting in 1965) until the 2008 elections. The Democrats now have a narrow 32-30 majority and three of the Democrats have been threatening to block the selection of Democrats to lead the Senate unless certain demands are met, including a demand that the Democrats in the Senate NOT push to legalize same sex marriage. Bright blue????

Or how about the fact that from 1995 to 2006 the governor of New York was a Republican?

Or that before Chuck Schumer was elected in 1999, Repubicans had held that Senate seat for 42 years. Or that the only exceptions to Republicans holding the other Senate seat from New York during the period from 1947 to 2008 were Robert F. Kennedy, Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and Hillary Rodham Clinton -- three individuals with national reputations (two of whom non-New Yorkers) and none of whom had ever been elected to anything before they were elected Senator from New York.

Yes, New York is bluer today than it was a decade ago. But its blueness comes and goes.Even New York City, you may recall, elects Republicans -- Rudy Giuliani for one and even though Bloomberg was more of a Democrat than a republican, he ran as a repub before declaring himself to be an independent. One thing that is clear -- your best shot at winning and holding a senate seat in New York is to have someone run who is known as a national figure.

[JuniperLea]

4. So, melanin levels are indicative of ability?

I think you are seriously losing it.

[ddeclue]

8. Back at you.. you are arguing that but only more specific...

you are arguing that not only should we pick a person with a LOW melanin level but that they have to come from one specific genetic subgroup - the Kennedies.

:rofl:

You are the one who is losing it.

I'm just arguing for a little racial parity and participatory democracy instead of aristocracy.

:rofl:

[JuniperLea]

11. Again you prove you have no mental agility at all...

I'm arguing that a constitutional scholar is better suited than someone who has nothing more than elevated levels of melanin.

But it's clear you don't understand the English language at all, so I suppose I should give you a pass.

And for about the 7th time, who is NOT being considered because of Kennedy?

[ddeclue]

14. A BLACK Man...

You are arguing for a continuation of a dynasty - one particular family, not even a race.

My argument is NOT that ANY race is superior to any other, just that ONE race is NOT being represented in the Senate while ANOTHER race is highly OVER represented. You are misrepresenting my argument intentionally.

Indeed your argument about melanin is quite ridiculous in light of centuries of discrimination against African Americans on that very basis.

Do you think we couldn't find an African American Constitutional scholar from New York?

That's a pretty contrived bit of reasoning you've come up with to justify a particular person from a particular family. You picked the person first and came up with the reasoning later to satisfy your Camelot addiction.

Doug D.

[niceypoo]

25. Your position is absurd

No need to have a race based litmus test

[JuniperLea]

27. What utter bullshit... eom... eoc

[dflprincess]

5. Governors who arrange to have themselves appointed to a senate seat rarely win reelection

because it does not amuse the voters.

Governor Wendell Anderson did this in 1977. Walter Mondale had been elected vice-president and his senate seat was vacant so Anderson resigned as governor so the new governor, Rudy Perpich, appointed him as a place holder in Mondale's seat until the next election in 1978. Anderson lost that race to Rudy Boshwitz whom we were stuck with until Wellstone beat him in 1990. Arranging his own appointment played a big part in his loss and I recall at the time the pundits said this sort of thing rarely worked out well for the appointee.

The move destroyed Anderson's political career. Which is too bad, as he was a pretty decent governor.

[ddeclue]

16. OK.. point taken..

They might give Patterson a pass however since he didn't actually sign up to be governor in the first place.

On the other hand, he doesn't have to pick himself, that was just a possible suggestion.

He would not only be the only black man in the Senate if he did this but I believe he would be the first blind man.

[DavidDvorkin]

7. How about not choosing based on race?

We don't have race-based proportional representation, and that's a very good thing.

[ddeclue]

10. Really?

You think it is OK that there are NO blacks in the US Senate and only one black governor out of 50 states? You don't think that these people's voices are not being heard as well as they ought to be?

I'm not arguing that proportional representation based on race be codified into law - I'm just arguing that an opportunity exists which should be taken advantage of.

:eyes:

[southern_dem]

17. Count the governors again :) n/t

[ddeclue]

20. OK did I miss one? If so who?

Virginia used to have a black governor in the 1990's but not now.

In any event I don't think there are that many at the most 2.

[southern_dem]

21. Patterson and Patrick in MA

But, I agree there should be more.

[ddeclue]

23. My most humble apologies - PATRICK...

I knew that - or at least I used to ...

doh!!

[Hippo_Tron]

18. I don't think the disparity will last for much longer

I think the number of African Americans who run for political office is going to skyrocket, especially with the next generation. I've seen first hand how inspired young kids, especially young black kids have been inspired by Obama.

[mtnsnake]

13. Well, if some of us can choose Caroline because of her name, then

why can't the OPer want someone chosen based on their race, especially if it's for a good reason such as the one the OPer mentioned?

I'm not sure, but I think that might be his point.

[FrenchieCat]

15. I think we can get an African American in the Senate without

making it an ultimatum to one particular state.

With Salazar coming out of the Senate, Colorado may be next in line in getting an African American into the Senate....If Udall appoints Wellington Webb, former Mayer of Denver.

Webb served as mayor of Denver for 12 years, from 1991 to 2003. One highlight of his years in office was the South Platte River Corridor Project, involving commercial and residential redevelopment, as well as reclamation of park land, along the South Platte River in central Denver. He was also mayor at the time of the completion of Denver International Airport, started by his precessor, Federico Peña. Prior to Webb's tenure as mayor, he served as Denver City Auditor from 1987 to 1991, and as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agenices in the Cabinet of Governor Richard Lamm from 1981 to 1987.

Wellington Webb's bid for mayor included his "Sneaker Campaign", in which he walked door to door through a large portion of Denver, introducing himself as a relatively unknown candidate against the popular incumbent, Federico Pena.

Although he briefly sought the office of chairman of the Democratic National Committee in late 2004, Webb dropped out of the race in late January 2005 and endorsed fellow candidate Howard Dean, who went on to win the chairmanship. Webb was well known as the only African-American candidate for the DNC chairmanship.

In February 2007, Webb published his autobiography, "The Man, the Mayor and the Making of Modern Denver," (Fulcrum Publishing) co-written by former Colorado journalist Cindy Brovsky.

Webb is married to another Colorado politician, Wilma Webb.

The Wellington E. Webb Municipal Office Building, completed in Fall 2002, was named in honor of Webb. It houses some forty municipal agencies and divisions from the City and County of Denver, as well as the office of the District Attorney.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington_Webb

[ddeclue]

19. Fine but why not 2..why not 12?

African Americans represent 12% of the population. If their representation in the Senate were proportional then they would have 12 Senators, not zero or one or even two.

Doug D.

Correction for stupid math error. There would be 6 governors and 12 Senators.

[FrenchieCat]

22. You are only talking about one.....and further you are saying that this "one"

should come from "one" state; New York.

I'm simply saying "one" doesn't have to come from New York. period.

As an African-American, I'm not glamoring for a Black person to be appointed simply because they are Black. I don't see any advantage in the conversation of an African-American in the Senate being carried on in this manner. And I find that a Black Senator coming from somewhere not expected might give that candidate a leg up on 2010.....as he is not simply a Black card holder to replace Barack Obama.

You can go back to what you were doing now....I believe that I have contributed to your thread in a positive manner.

[ddeclue]

24. OK.. I appreciate your point of view

I'm just arguing that there are better ways to use this opening than inexplicable hero worship for a family name and was trying to make the point.

I could just as easily argue for more Hispanic, Asian, Native American, female or immigrant representation in the Senate. All are under-represented.

Doug D.

[stray cat]

26. As a NYer - I want competence over color, sexual orientation or name

Whats wrong with wanting competence instead of strictly going on the basis of diversity?

[JuniperLea]

29. Seriously!

This is getting ridiculous.

Competence, what a concept! There is no other good reason. Yet no one can name one person who is being "overlooked" that wants this job.

[boppers]

33. Malcolm Smith?

He's currently senate whip in NY (top D position), has political and legislative experience, stood up the the NY state anti-gay trio...

Regardless of (or in spite of) his skin color, he's certainly shown he has the needed knowledge, experience and qualifications.

Coincidentally, I hear he's pigment-enabled as well.

[Phx_Dem]

30. How about choosing someone based on

ANYTHING besides their gender or race?

Caroline Kennedy is a constitutional lawyer who has worked tirelessly for New York public schools and has many philanthropic accomlishments. She also has authored a book on the Bill of Rights, which I find vitally important. In fact, alot of out current elected officials might want to read it.

I don't understand why it's so important to some people that the position is filled by some lifelong political hack.

[whistler162]

31. How about H. Carl McCall as at least a placeholder

until the 2010 election?

I have no problem with who ever Gov. Paterson picks, except maybe Bruno. Heck, he could pick either Rep. Houghton or Boehlert to piss everyone off and it would be okay.

[zulchzulu]

34. Does Chris Rock live in NY?

Senator Rock!!!!