Gov. Patterson, Appoint Mario Cuomo as caretaker Senator for 2 years.

[NinetySix]

Cuomo is too old (76) to start a career as a junior Senator, and he should have the requisite skills to not only keep the seat warm, but to adequately (or better) represent the interests of New York. I like Caroline Kennedy just fine, but let her compete in a field of Democrats for a Senate seat that should by all rights go Democratic in the next election. If she fares well in the 2010 primary, then the seat is hers to lose in the General. If not, then it is earned by whomever has the political savvy and wherewithal to win it in a fair competition with her.

The name Kennedy is simply not sufficient to stand alone in lieu of qualifications. Legacy is not enough. It's about democracy.

[rockymountaindem]

1. I think that's probably the best answer

We'd all be better off having a really competitive election for that seat in 2 years.

[NinetySix]

3. Exactly right. I'm not a New Yorker, but

let the people of New York decide who to put there to begin, not choose between an appointee and a Republican in the 2010 general election. For the last eight years, we were all about democracy. Let's show we mean it as a general principle, not one of convenience.

[Ozma]

2. That's not a bad idea. I wonder if Cuomo is willing.

I have no problem with Carolyn K either, but she can be a better Senator if she wins an election.

[NinetySix]

5. The crucible of a primary election will temper her for a general election.

And for Mario, should be no big thing, right? In New York, I'd think Senator would be a BIG step down from Governor.

[elleng]

7. I understand that he doesn't like to leave home.

.

[LostinVA]

4. Whoa -- best idea yet

Seriously -- call the Gov's office.

[hedgehog]

6. I like Mario, but the last thing we need in the US Senate is a caretaker

Senator. Obama is going to need all the help he can get.

[rockymountaindem]

9. On the contrary

If he's not running for reelection Cuomo would have nothing to lose. He's be free to support whatever legislation Obama puts up.

[LynneSin]

18. And when have the Kennedy's compromised. Ted has never had anything to lose

He lives in a state where he barely has to campaign to win his elections and he's been one of the biggest champions for us working class people.

Caroline won't have the same ease in New York but I highly doubt Caroline is someone who will hold back simply because she's worried about re-election.

[NinetySix]

29. I guess I'm speaking "meta-" here, but if the people retain the power to

choose for themselves, then they will always find their champion in the end. I'm not slagging Kennedy, and I disagree that she wouldn't hold the seat with a great deal of ease, even if not the ease of her uncle. I just think that the people should have the say in the matter of who represents them. When they choose Caroline Kennedy among a field of Democrats, she will make a fine addition to the Senate, but do let her win that contest first.

More democracy is better for the People.

[NinetySix]

11. I think that after eight years of muscle by power players, what we need most

is an unambiguous return to the principles of democracy. I doubt seriously if Cuomo is one to rock the boat for the Democrats, and his hypothetical voting record for the next two years is very likely to closely resemble or even mirror Clinton's hypothetical voting record from now to 2010. Let the people of New York fill in the blank in 2010 without having to mount a primary challenge to Caroline Kennedy if they'd prefer another candidate to her. And if they'd prefer her, then they'll have her for January of 2011.

[WI_DEM]

8. On the other hand, Frank Lautenberg aged 80, was just re-elected from NJ

and he returned to the Senate after having retired, when the party turned to him when Robert Torricelli was forced out in 2002, Lautenberg was 74 only a couple of years younger than Cuomo, and began a second senate career. If Cuomo were selected, I certainly wouldn't mind if he would run in 2010.

[tabbycat31]

20. Lautenberg is 84

[WI_DEM]

26. Thanks, then there is no reason why a healthy Cuomo if nominated could be more than a "caretaker"

if he wants to run in 2010.

[Renew Deal]

10. Why do you want to make it easier for the republicans?

The sitting senator has a head start. We don't want to make things easier for Guiliani and his ilk.

[LynneSin]

12. Seriously - Did Mississippi and Wyoming appoint caretakers?

No they put republicans in those seats so they would be assured winning them in the upcoming elections

[NinetySix]

15. Two points in response:

a) We're talking about Mississippi, Wyoming, and New York. Republicans almost invariably win the first two, Democrts the third. In that regard, there's little cause for concern;

and b) Republicans are USED to being led, chosen for, told who to vote for. The GOP like it when the people follow. We are Democrats; don't we prefer it when the PEOPLE decide?

[WI_DEM]

19. wrong, you can't assume that the NY seat will automatically be democratic

I still think you put in somebody who will want to run in 2010 and use this time to compile 1) seniority in the senate 2) a good record 3) avoid a costly primary and 4) can retain the senate seat in 2010

[NinetySix]

25. I'm not talking about party politics and election strategy, but democracy.

And if by 'assume' you mean 'be absolutely certain of,' then it's true, I can't be absolutely certain that the sun will rse in the morning, or that I'll be alive to see it. But the track record of sunrises, the continuation of my mortal life, and Democratic Senators from New York make them all pretty good bets.

[WI_DEM]

28. but Caroline Kennedy is just as qualified as many people who go into public service

for instance Jon Corzine, currently governor of NJ, was a businessman who was ousted by Goldman Sachs prior to running for his first political office, the US Senate in NJ, in 2000. He did quite well as I recall and was a good liberal. I think it makes sense that the governor use this appointment to put somebody who actually wants to retain the seat in 2010 rather than some caretaker. That person could begin gaining seniority which is helpful and begin to gather a record to run on. You might not think those things are important but I do.

[NinetySix]

32. Does nobody take my point?

It's like I'm talking about the value of baseball to American culture, and everybody else is arguing Mets vs. Yankees.

I just think we should focus on perfecting democracy first. Strategy is secondary, and will take care of itself.

[WI_DEM]

33. but what would make Caroline Kennedy if she were appointed unqualified?

even if she wanted to run in 2010?

[NinetySix]

34. Nothing at all. I'd like Caroline Kennedy as the junior Senator from NY.

But why should she receive the privilege of incumbency over other equally qualified candidates? What do you have against them?

All I mean is that the interests of democracy are better served by a level playing field. Don't put her up by 3 runs before the top of the first inning.

[NinetySix]

13. As unpopular as he is in NYC, Giuliani is unlikely to beat a sitting turnip.

I don't think New York is going to go for another neocon until some time in the next century. I'd estimate Giuliani's chances at around 9-11%.

[whistler162]

14. I would prefer H. Carl McCall over Gov. Cuomo....

[qazplm]

16. hasnt democracy decided the Gov of NY gets to choose?

Wouldnt democracy at least be implicated in the fact that she leads in the public opinion polls?

[NinetySix]

21. Sure, just like all of the Senate seats up until 1916.

Prior to the ratification of the 17th Amendment, all State legislatures chose which candidate to appoint to the US Senate. It was democratic in the respect that the State legislatures were all democratically elected, but not as democratic as the sort of process we have now, in whichthe people themselves decide among the various candidates for the office.

I just prefer the more democratic method as a matter of principle.

[qazplm]

27. the people of NY through their elected officials

seem to be quite fine with this manner of selection.

If they weren't they would vote in folks to change it.

So why is that "less" democratic?

[LynneSin]

17. What - so we can keep the seat warm for his kid - I don't think so

Bad idea.

[NinetySix]

23. I don't know his kid, but let him run against Caroline and everyone else in 2010.

n/t

[thewiseguy]

36. He is New York State's AG, so your proposal does not make things fair

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Cuomo

[Alexander]

22. Why give the Republicans an easy target for 2010?

I hope whomever is appointed will run in 2010 and win.

[NinetySix]

24. If the Republicans have any easy targets in 2010 (!), New York ain't one of them.

n/t

[WI_DEM]

31. Are you sure? Why does NYC keep electing republican mayors when it's such

a democratic city? Anything can happen in politics. It's best to appoint somebody who actually wants to run in 2010 to give them a head start.

[oviedodem]

30. It is not a bad idea and If Caroline really wants it she will be more involved and win an election

[Captain Hilts]

35. I think that's a good idea. I'm rooting for Caroline, so I want her to earn it fair and square. nt

[DJ13]

37. A caretaker that cannot run again wont have any power in the Senate

You would be dooming NY to only having one real Senator until the next election.

[NinetySix]

38. I should know better than to post in GD:P.

I'm more of a principled political thinker than a partisan. Anything I say in here is going to give someone offense, then get co-opted into an ongoing partisan debate that has no possible resolution. I give up, primarily because no one seems to hear me.

But as to your point, is the position of "caretaker" recognized as one denoting an officially diminished status in the US Senate? If it were Mario Cuomo, then he would likely serve on no committees in any important capacity due to his short tenure, but he would be equally entitled to introduce legislation if he so chose, vote on any and all legislation, and even filibuster if it were necessary; in short, he would be a Senator with all of the powers accompanying the office for the duration of his short service. But with a Democrat in the White House, a Democratic majority in the House, and a Democratic majority in the Senate, I can't understand how New York, a heavily Democratic state, could be considered "doomed" in any sense of the word.

[Ozma]

41. Yes, ANY new NY Senator would be in exactly the same position

Same rights and responsibilities, and same privileges or lack thereof.

[democrattotheend]

39. That's not a bad idea

I wonder if he will end up appointing a caretaker because it seems like appointing Caroline Kennedy or not appointing her would make a bunch of people mad. Appointing a caretaker and giving her the chance to run in an open primary might be the best bet from his perspective. The only problem is that that potentially weakens our near-lock on the seat. As it is, we are going to have to defend the seat in 2010 and again in 2012. A bloody Democratic primary in 2010 could give Peter King an opening. Seats in Illinois, Colorado and maybe even Delaware that should not have been any trouble to retain have already been opened up for various reasons...we don't need to give the Republicans any more openings.

[SuperTrouper]

40. Who says that old mario cannot run again at age 78? Have you forgotten Strom? Lautenberg? Byrd?

even Ted Stevens was running at 80. Mario loves power and if he is nominated I am sure he would stay as long as he could. The only reason why he was not NY Governor after 12 years is that New Yorkers got tired of him and elected the soapy water Pataki.