Caroline Kennedy is 'impressive' at Brooklyn pol confab (Looks like CKS is building up momentum)

[SuperTrouper]

BY KENNETH LOVETT
DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF

Monday, January 12th 2009, 12:10 AM


Caroline Kennedy met in Bedford-Stuyvesant on Sunday with a group of key black lawmakers who came away "impressed" with the U.S. Senate hopeful.

A day after meeting with Gov. Paterson, Kennedy pushed her candidacy for Hillary Clinton's Senate seat with the city and state lawmakers from central Brooklyn.

"She generally impressed everyone in the room," said Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn). "She was very well-versed on urban issues, but more importantly showed a genuine commitment to affordable housing, black male unemployment and other issues concerning central Brooklyn."

The meeting took place in a storefront office not far from Restoration Plaza, an office complex filled with community-based organizations.

Kennedy's late uncle, Robert F. Kennedy, whose seat she hopes to fill, helped establish the complex, and Caroline Kennedy recalled visiting the neighborhood as a kid.

Unlike her dealings with the media, Kennedy seemed "very comfortable, confident and extremely personable," Jeffries said.

The meeting, sources said, was organized by Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) and included Councilman Albert Vann, Councilwoman Letitia James, Councilwoman Darlene Mealy, Assemblywoman Annette Robinson and Assemblyman Karim Camara.

"She was very attentive, very open," Adams said. "She didn't come with the position that 'I'm a President's daughter.' We had a real good conversation."

Adams said he's not concerned about Kennedy's lack of government experience.

The group discussed education and housing issues, access to government and ways to ensure New York gets its fair share of an expected federal stimulus package.

A source in the meeting said Kennedy listened to the lawmakers' views on whether to extend mayoral control of city schools, which expires this year.

Despite her ties to Mayor Bloomberg, "She showed a great sensitivity to that issue," the source said.

Kennedy also said the federal stimulus package, particularly money earmarked for infrastructure projects, could help address black male unemployment.

Kennedy has strong support in Brooklyn, and county Democratic chairman Vito Lopez has already endorsed her.

Jeffries said he does not expect the group will issue a formal endorsement of any candidate.

One subject Kennedy did not address with the group was her chat with Paterson the day before.

Paterson also punted on the one-on-one talk, scurrying off after a pro-Israel rally.

"I had a meeting with her," the governor said before getting into his car.



http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/01/11/2009-01-11_caroline_kennedy_is_impressive_at_brookl.html

[bottomtheweaver]

1. Next: Paterson asks Caroline to bring him a shrubbery.

This has gone on way too long, but I guess it's all part of the game. Thanks for posting a little good news!

[TheDoorbellRang]

2. a shrubbery...with a picket fence!

Patterson must be one of the knights of NYC.:P

[Cha]

4. Saturday was the first time

she met Gov Paterson in person and hopefully they had a good talk.

I've seen Mahoney on my local tv and I know she wants it but I'm hoping for Caroline(no secret here).

[bottomtheweaver]

5. I guess I can see the logic

and I really do like Paterson, and he's probably wise to make sure he dots every i and crosses every t so he doesn't get Blago'd, but you have to admit he's been dragging this out forever.

[Cha]

6. It's relative..I've never had

anything to compare it to and Hillary still is the Senator. Imo, I think it's better to have a full on discussion about it and no one can accuse him of not thinking it through.

And yet another article..
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/01/10/2009-01-10_caroline_kennedy_interviewed_by_gov_pate.html

[Cha]

3. Good to hear,

thanks, Roberto.