Caroline Kennedy lost in a power struggle between Gov. Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg

[HamdenRice]

For those of you who are not in New York and can't get the local political gossip, this is one way this story has been reported for weeks.

Bloomberg wanted Kennedy. Gov. Paterson, being more of a product of the political system, didn't want to appoint the novice who had not worked her way up the system.

My guess is that Paterson will pick Andrew Cuomo. That Paterson retained control of his own powers is a good thing. Bloomberg is overbearing and thinks he can buy anything, politically, in New York.

There is probably also some bad blood here. Andrew Cuomo was married into the Kennedy clan for 13 years (he was married to RFK's daughter, Kerry, until she somewhat publicly cheated on him).

So it is quite likely that the competition between Andrew and cousin-in-law Caroline was, to a certain extent, personal.

The pathetic part is how nepotistic NY politics has become:

Hillary Clinton (wife of president) was to be replaced by either,

Andrew Cuomo (son of former Governor Mario); or

Caroline Kennedy (daughter of slain president JFK); via appointment by

David Paterson (son of former Secretary of State of NYS Basil Paterson, under Mario Cuomo's administration).

[AllentownJake]

1. Bloomberg may challenge Patterson for Govenor than

[HeraldSquare212]

6. He's not dumb enough to think he's rich enough to win a race for Governor.

[Uzybone]

2. Paterson: political dumbass

he will be looking for a job once his term as governor is over. I think he was too clever by a half on this appointment.

[BeyondGeography]

3. Paterson has said he favors a female replacement and Schumer is pushing Gillibrand

Carolyn Maloney is also getting a lot of play. I wouldn't be surprised if it's either one of them.

Of course, Paterson has said a lot of things, as is customary in these situations...

[WI_DEM]

4. funny, on TV this morning on nearly all the shows I watched they said Patterson was preparing to

appoint Kennedy and that he and others spent a good deal of time trying to get her to change her mind before her official midnight announcement.

[ClarkUSA]

5. The NYT isn't reporting it this way at all.

Their story on Caroline's withdrawal cites sources that indicate Ted Kennedy's collapse as the reason. RFK, Jr.
has also corroborated her horror at her uncle's seizures the day before she withdrew.

[Skwmom]

7. A novice as in she would not be beholden to anyone but the people.

She would have been a breath of fresh air.

[Serial Mom]

9. Great comment!

I think that is what Obama wants in D.C. - get rid of all those who have a "what's in it for me - who's filling my pocket" mentality!

Sometimes we need novices that are smart, educated in the Constitution and with forward looking ideas!

[Skwmom]

17. But the corrupt hacks are fighting to retain power.

I'll take the political novice with integrity and a desire to work on behalf of the American People any day of the week.

[question everything]

21. Seems to me that Obama wants experienced and skilled individuals

with proven track records.

Caroline's only track record is deciding, each day, which charity would be granted her presence.

[GodlessBiker]

8. I like Patterson a lot. If he picks Cuomo, he will be eliminating a possible Dem rival in the ....

gubernatorial primary.

And I loathe Bloomberg.

[SuperTrouper]

12. No, Cuomo will try to be Governor no matter what. Sorry Gov. Patsy, you lose.

[TheWraith]

10. I seriously doubt it'll be Cuomo.

Paterson would be elevating a rival, as well as buying himself a new AG appointed by a political enemy.

[AtomicKitten]

19. I agree with your analysis.

Plus Cuomo's racist "shuck and jive" remark should disqualify him from consideration.

[TheWraith]

23. I keep forgetting about that.

Andrea Mitchell is reporting that the leading contender is now Kirsten Gillibrand, representative of the NY 20th Congressional District. I agree--she's the obvious best choice for Paterson at this point, being popular, upstate, and capable of raising money.

[HamdenRice]

25. I don't quite get that part, but have read it. Who is Paterson concerned with in the State Leg?

I've read that Paterson actually likes Cuomo, and Cuomo is leading in the polls, but that Paterson is most worried about who the state legislature will appoint to replace Cuomo.

The Dems took over the state leg, so is this all about Paterson being worried about Sheldon Silver?

[SuperTrouper]

11. PATERSON WILL NOT BE GOVERNOR IN 2010. He is not qualified, period.

Blago has more political instincts than the current nincompoop NY Governor.

[GodlessBiker]

13. A lack of "political instincts" means you are not qualified? Patterson is more than qualified.

He is progressive, liberal, inclusive, and is on the forefront of pushing civil rights and other progressive causes.

[SuperTrouper]

14. He is still not qualified. No political instincts, isn't that what they said about Caroline?

David Paterson, never ready to lead from day one. The Accidental and incompetent Governor from New York...if you don't believe me just look at his sorry performance at the State of the State and his complete rejection of his so-called budget plan. Bloomberg or Cuomo would make better Governors, I personally do not like Ghouliani.

[HamdenRice]

15. Other than spamming the board with anti-Paterson word salad, do you have any facts,

logic, reason or such to back up your claims?

[SuperTrouper]

16. Here is what you want: This was before the Caroline fiasco, so new polling will be available soon

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/11/17/2008-11-17_david_patersons_lead_over_rudy_giuliani_.html

Rudy Giuliani, who says he will consider a 2010 run for governor, picked up ground against Gov. Paterson, a new poll shows.

Paterson would defeat the Republican former New York City mayor by a margin of 49% to 43%, the Siena College poll found in a head-to-head matchup.

The six-point deficit for Giuliani is down from 11 points in a late October Siena poll.

Giuliani said Sunday he would not rule out running for governor.

The Siena poll found that Paterson would defeat Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in a 2010 gubernatorial primary 53% to 25%. Giuliani, who was losing to Cuomo by five points last month, has pulled ahead, 46% to 44%.

Though his presidential campaign fizzled, Giuliani still remains a popular figure in New York, with a favorable to unfavorable rating of 57% to 39%.
Giuliani leads Paterson among Republicans (70% to 22%), independents (54% to 37%), suburbanites (58% to 35%) and Catholics.

Paterson leads strongly among Democrats (70% to 24%), in New York City (63% to 30%), women (52% to 41%) and among blacks, Latinos, and Protestants

[HeraldSquare212]

18. Those polls say he's the number one candidate.

Poor political instincts? Seems he's doing OK.

[HamdenRice]

24. My informal bar polls show he's amazingly popular

I'm not sure what it is. I watched one of his pressers in an Irish American construction worker bar in Brooklyn, and all these tough white guys were, like, totally enthralled with him.

Go figure!

[polichick]

20. Thanks for the update. Can't wait to see what happens!

[question everything]

22. Caroline stands out among the other names in that she has never run for office

never criss crossed the state to meet people of all walks of life, never shook hands, kissed babies, ate rubber chicken. Never had to debate an opponent nor to withstand a smear ad campaign by an opponent.

Let her get out of her sheltered, guarded apartment in Manhattan and get to know regular people. Let her campaign and then, why not?

[girl_interrupted]

26. I'm starting to feel sorry for Paterson

He's never been my choice for Governor, but what an absolutely awful position he's been put in. It was suppose to be his decision based on the qualifications of the candidates. But how is that possible when you have Ted Kennedy telling you he wants the seat for his niece? And Bloomberg, from the Mliionaires club, wanting Kennedy, up your back, and who just ended term limits so he can run again, and Caroline being called Obama's "dearest friend" and how Obama might not want to help NY, if she wasn't chosen.

Reminds me of when bush told NY voters, we would have a "friend" in DC if we voted for Pataki. Well if bush was a "friend" to NY, I'd hate to see an enemy. Don't think that was right then and I dont think it's right now. NY pays more into the Federal govt than it ever receives back, and to be threatened like that, well I just don't think that sat well with a lot of NY voters.


Add that to the feeling of having a candidate pushed down your throat, and her abysmal performance with voters upstate and that God awful "you know" 147 times in an interview, Caroline went from being very popular and the front runner with voters, right out of first place. Caroline is a lovely person, and maybe in time she should try again, but her time isn't now. And maybe Caroline realized that too, and should be commended from removing herself from the "race". I respect her for that & wish her the best.

I feel sorry for Paterson, because Hamden is right, he was caught up in a power play...not about chosing the right candidate. I think that's why he has dragged this out for so long, he couldn't do what was right for NY, he was forced to play favorites. And I don't think he was comfortable with that and he too should be commended for putting NY not political allies, first.


I think Cuomo will wind up with the Governorship, not the Senate seat and thats fine by me, he's done a lot of good for NY. Think it's going to be Maloney or Gillibrand. And thats fine with me too, both have earned it. I have nothing against "Dynasties" as long as the person is qualified.

[question everything]

27. Vacant seats in Congress -and in state houses should be filled by elections

When no one wins at least 51% of the votes, there should be a run off election.

This is how it should have been done in Minnesota, in Illinois, New York and other states where a sitting senator is now a member of the administration.

And if a Democrat is being replaced by a Republican - so be it. It will work both ways.