Any New Yorkers who don't feel strongly one way or the other about Caroline Kennedy?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

I think either way we are going to get a good democrat. I trust our governor to make a good choice.

However one way or the other, I don't care if it is or isn't kennedy.

Anyone else in my state feel neutral on the issue?

[adigal]

1. I don't really care, either. I like her, but would like

to see the seat go to someone who has put in their time serving the people and let Kennedy start as a Congresswoman for her district. It does smack a bit of entitlement to think you can start your public life as a senator. I know Hillary did it, but that always bothered me, she never even lived here, and wanted to be our senator, and then was gone for the last 2 years. GRRRRR...

But Kennedy, I am not too concerned one way or the other.

[LynneSin]

2. But she has spent the time serving the people

Just because it's not in an elected position doesn't make it any less deserving. And she's an expert in Constitutional Law - gee, that would be handy in the senate too.

[cali]

11. um, no she's not an expert in conlaw

she's a serious student of conlaw, perhaps, but certainly no expert. And no she hasn't put in the gritty work that it takes to get elected to an open seat.

[LynneSin]

16. compared to some of the nimwits in DC - she's an expert

but yeah I see your point.

[Renew Deal]

3. I don't care much either way.

I think she's got a lot of potential.

[Lilith Velkor]

4. Not in your state, but don't care either way.

There seems to be a certain sector of the population who cannot function without being angry at a famous woman, and it doesn't much matter who she is.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. well or big hypocrites. all i heard was "legacy, legacy, legacy" till the talk moved from clinton to

kennedy

either way, i find the uproar here amusing but i really just dont think patterson would pick someone bad for us, so i dont care

[Bleacher Creature]

5. Former New Yorker -- would be happy with any good Democrat.

Caroline Kennedy included.

[Runcible Spoon]

6. I don't feel strongly either...

I can think of a few choices who would be more active in pushing a progressive agenda, but as far as how she would actually craft/vote policy, I expect her to be a Kennedy. I honestly lost all enthusiasm for New York politics after Spitzer. Among other things, Rockefeller drug laws still stand, pretty much.

[NashVegas]

7. Native Upstater And She Can't Be Any Worse Than Daschle

Or any one else the DC-inbreds would choose.

[alsame]

8. On one hand, I think she would be a very strong ally for Obama and

would support a progressive agenda statewide and nationwide. On the other hand, I can understand why some NY pols who have served for years would be offended by what they consider 'leap frogging' into the Senate seat.

I would not be upset if Caroline got it, nor would I be upset if it was someone else, as long as it's a good, solid Democrat, not a moderate ot a DINO. There are a lot of good people to choose from and I honestly don't have any preferences right now, other than picking someone who can hold onto the seat in the next election.

I wish we could replace Schumer while we're at it.

[THUNDER HANDS]

10. I have nothing against her, but she isn't my first choice

I think there are more qualified people here. If she wants it, let her earn the seat.

[jenmito]

12. Yup. I'm a New York (state)er who doesn't care WHO gets it as long as it's a Dem.

I DO think it's funny for people to SLAM C.K. for having no prior political experience when Hillary had a very similar situation.

[sohndrsmith]

13. I'm not in NY presently, but I have been for 90% of my life... so my opinion matters even less, but

I think your point is a very, very good one... at this point, it looks like the Constitutional procedure is that the governor appoints someone to the vacant Senate seat (though it varies from state to state, it appears to be how the thing rolls out in NY for now).

Someone made a point elsewhere that - regardless of a personal dislike for Kennedy - and there are many, she may be one of the few appointees who are very, very difficult to unseat... meaning a steadfast Dem at least for the foreseeable future. It's not a bad thought progression, but then again, I'm not against Kennedy so I might not feel so glib if I couldn't stand her.

I just read a fascinating study done on the statistical likelihood of re-election (or election) of elected Senators as opposed to appointed Senators, and elected Senators fared much better - likely because they were perceived as winners, and they had already proven electability, whereas appointed Senators were viewed as inferior in all the respects one might assume...

here's the link - it's an interesting read:
http://www2.bc.edu/~steenje/senators.PDF

It sort of points out a win-win situation for those pro-Kennedy or anti-Kennedy... at least I saw a silver lining for both arguments... happily, but maybe I'm just sick of the bickering so I saw what I wanted to see... : )

[ErinBerin84]

14. I'm in upstate NY

I think that she would probably be a good senator, and that other candidates would make good senators as well. Basically, I trust the governor's judgement to pick someone who would be good for NY and could get re-elected. I do find some of the arguements between some people here interesting and ironic, so I choose not to get involved.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

15. those are my exact sentiments. she woudl be good. so would others