Does it seem to anyone else that someone wants to make certain that Caroline Kennedy

[Skidmore]

never is considered for public office again? This is a mess.

[SuperTrouper]

1. paterson's circle is leaking like a sieve. Tax-Affaire is not keeping Geithner

from Treasury Secy. Caroline will fix this problem and return in some not so distant future.

[democrattotheend]

9. I hope so

It sucks that she didn't pay taxes on her housekeeper, but honestly, most people don't unless they are running for public office. It's a big hassle to file all the paperwork and it's not something most people do unless they are seeking public office. I had a regular babysitting job for two years in college and my employer never paid taxes on me, nor did I pay FICA taxes. I asked about it and she said she did not think she needed to because she wasn't paying me enough to be required to file, but that didn't sound right to me. My mom said that if our housecleaner who came once a week ever asked to have FICA taxes withheld she would fire them because it was too much of a hassle. It would have meant she had to fill out all the initial paperwork, then generate pay stubs or figure out every week exactly how much cash to withhold, and then keep records of every time she paid the person and exactly how much and then send the money to the IRS. It's a lot of hassle that most people don't go through for people they hire in their homes. I'm not saying it's right, but I don't think it's as big a deal as some people think, or that it was a deliberate attempt to avoid paying taxes.

[Clear Blue Sky]

11. Agree that it's more than the tax issue.

Who knows really. And at this point, it's her business, not ours.

[cali]

2. it seems to me that she was wholly unprepared for public life.

[Robeson]

3. Agreed.

[Skidmore]

5. I agree with your point, but there is something

really particularly vicious about the bloodletting going on.

[sohndrsmith]

27. Unlike someone eerily prepared for "public life", like

Sarah Palin?

Public life and public office aren't the same... if we disqualified every one serving or wanting to serve in the Senate because of verbal gaffes or awkward moments, the floor would be empty. And many of them have very non-public (even private) lives...

So I guess I'm confused with your rationale... : )

[Radical Activist]

31. There are some rookie mistakes any candidate makes.

Most successful politicians make those mistakes before they reach the level of a running for US Senate in a state with a fiercely competitive political atmosphere.

[sohndrsmith]

35. Agreed. They all make mistakes. This wasn't a fiercely competitive

campaign or election, though... do you mean that the Senate is the fiercely competitive atmosphere? It may very well be, but I don't see anything about the protocols of the Senate that Kennedy is incapable of handling, myself...

If Kennedy chose to run for the seat in 2010, then she'd have to prove her mettle (or not) to get elected to the seat. My sense is she would have been fully prepared for that by then. She was singled out, it seemed, almost as if it was being demanded of her to somehow "campaign" for the seat alone. Weird.

[Radical Activist]

38. Yes, I meant the state.

It's like being put on a major league baseball team when you haven't even done batting practice with the little leaguers.

[sohndrsmith]

44. hm... I see your point, but I still think that there is too much projection

oh her dealings with the media as equivalent to her being able to do what Senators do. It's not the same, in my eyes. Maybe because her name is Kennedy, the expectations of her to present herself like Teddy or Jack or Robert were unshakable to some extent.

She is more than capable of being a board member and a representative in the debate/voting processes of the Senate, and she's pretty much up on how to interpret such matters to ensure they're Constitutionally sound. I've seen her speak publicly and she's able to state her views knowledgeably and meaningfully. Dealing with the media is not the same as being in the Senate. I don't see how she would be caught off guard or incapable in that setting, even if she was with the media.

But maybe I don't know enough about the Senate... maybe my view is distorted. Campaigning is another thing, and I think as of right now, she'd be really bad. But I don't think she would always be bad. She's not stupid and I don't equate her valuing privacy with fear. I get the sense it's about protecting her family and children from the fishbowl, and I find that commendable, considering how ruthless the fishbowl is to many, including some of her family members...

[cali]

37. uh, sarah palin wasn't prepared for the national stage.

and neither is Caroline. What's so difficult to figure out about that?

[sohndrsmith]

45. public life and (now) national stage is not the same as public office. n/t

[Rockholm]

47. She would have kept her "aura" had she remained private.

She has been one of the mysteries of the political world. Until recently, I can't really remember her every speaking publicly.
The sad thing...If JFK, Jr. had never died, he would be the next Senator from NY.

[NashVegas]

4. Don't Know

But someone sure as shit didn't want her in that senate seat.

[RollWithIt]

6. If you can't take the heat, don't go in the kitchen...

We're talking about New York Politics not some creampuff tea luncheon. If she wanted to be Senator then she should of stuck it out. Regardless, when she decided to drop out she should have been truthful and it appears that she was not.

[ProudToBeLiberal]

7. yeah, I can't imagine her being a "fighter"

like Hillary Clinton. New York politics is rough and tuble like business.

[sohndrsmith]

14. Right. Clinton, the bastion of fiscal responsibility... hm.. n/t

[Skwmom]

20. Yeah, I can't imagine Caroline lying about being under sniper fire.

It just doesn't seem her style.

[blm]

51. I didn't see a fighter in the Senate from 2001-2007. I saw a Bush enabler whose spouse

went on TV for his book tour and defended Bush's terrorism and Iraq war decisions during the summer of 2004.

I heard she DID fight once in 2006....against the Alito filibuster in Dem caucus meeting, though she changed her mind after getting back to her office to all the thousands of phonecalls in support of filibuster.

[ErinBerin84]

8. this whole thing

just makes the gov and Kennedy look bad, IMO. Anyone catch the woman who was just on with Tamron Hall? I'm at work and it's on in the other room...she was kind of annoying.

[WolverineDG]

10. Yes & they're being vicious

I think it's all coming from a certain camp, who really should remember that those who live in glass houses really shouldn't throw stones.

dg

[Skwmom]

21. Now which camp is known for their ugly, petty, grade school viciousness?

[blm]

12. Yes....the same crew who tried to stop her in the first place. NY's banking elite servants - some

pretend to be Democrats.

[sohndrsmith]

25. Or someone who wants the seat himself... (or herself I mean, too!) n/t

[sohndrsmith]

13. Yes, and I posted as much in the two other threads, which seem to be

generally pretty accusatory that she got her just deserts. But I don't want to re-post again, so I'll just say that - yes... I absolutely think there is more to this than what's been put out there. It makes no sense. She wouldn't have done this because she thought it was a good idea or the right thing to do. It doesn't pass the smell test, and I think someone wanted her out of the running.

I don't know about never holding public office again, I think someone wanted to eliminate her from this group of contenders. Oppositional research and all that. I'm not convinced there wasn't more that would hurt either her or her family that made her withdraw. This reason alone just doesn't work.

[HeraldSquare212]

16. NY Post is saying the state of her marriage figured into it, too.

Rumors of affairs with NY Times publisher.

I'm glad she won't be appointed, and I'm a little shocked that anyone thinks she's been treated unfairly.

[sohndrsmith]

22. Really? Wow. I think she did the right thing, though, but for probably

very different reasons.

I think she has been treated very differently than any other possibles on the supposed short list, some of whom have taken similar actions to sell themselves, but they weren't even noticed, much less picked apart. True, she was clumsy with her attempts to interact with the media, and says "you know" when she spoke - at least in the clip played ad nauseum - but I am amazed that anyone would consider these things as disqualifying.

Do you recall someone running for office recently who had a similar problem saying "uh" all the time when he spoke (and still does?) He got criticized for it, sure, but I think we seem to have understood it wasn't a legitimate reason to dismiss him... I think things worked out pretty well for this individual... (and us as a result).

I'm shocked that because of a name and/or a life of wealth, even privilege means someone cannot be a good person, qualified for reasons based on their education and work, or that they have ethical character that is anything but self-serving and entitled. That just floors me.

[HeraldSquare212]

26. She was only under consideration because of her name.

There are probably a few thousand people within a stone's throw of her home with the same education and history of good work in public affairs. And the 'you know' thing was her own fault - she refused to talk for so long that when she finally did it was a big story.

[sohndrsmith]

33. her being considered because of her name is an opinion, and a lot of people

share that with you. I don't happen to. I'm not saying that her name didn't matter, but if anything, her name is the reason she was singled out and ended up being the single most thing that hurt her in this more than anything else.

So, in that sense, I'll have to say I disagree. Well, not entirely. Maybe her name did help her as far as being one of many who were considered. That's not her fault, she couldn't don a disguise and change her name and pretend to be unknown.

I do not believe that her name would have been why she was appointed, though, so I agree with you sort of, a little bit. : )

Paterson wouldn't have appointed her for no other reason than her name was Kennedy. It did get him, I'm sure to read her resume... but I think it's sort of strange to hold that against her, as if it was some sort of devised manipulation on her part. She doesn't have much choice about her name or the political history of her family and I don't think that should be held against her OR make her qualified if she isn't for any job or position. Her resume, work and, causes and expertise throughout her life are what determines that. To me, I see nothing in any of her impressive work and accomplishment and scholarship that would not be appropriate for the duties of a US Senator...

You do?

[onefreespiritedchick]

24. I don't think the Post should have reported that without solid proof

And, must take her children into consideration. I love CK, but what a mess.

[HeraldSquare212]

28. I think it's about time it got reported. Any other candidate would have had

their personal life picked over.

[PVnRT]

15. Her gaffes are her own

The questions about her qualifications and ability were legitimate. She was not cut out for this appointment.

[Colobo]

17. You got it.

[sohndrsmith]

23. what gaffes, inability and lack of qualifications are you referring to

that convinced you she was incapable of doing the work and performing the duties of a US Senator?

[Skwmom]

18. I think she would have worked hard for the American People.

And yes, it sure does seem that way.

[sohndrsmith]

48. I do too. But it appears we're outnumbered here... : )

Ironically, I feel like I can't say anything negative about Secretary Clinton without enormous backlash, (which is okay, I guess I'm speaking up in support of Kennedy as someone would who didn't like what I might say about Clinton, but then again, I'm not trying to imply that there is almost some sort of unwritten rule that negative commentary on Clinton is unilaterally unacceptable, which that backlash sometimes feels like. But maybe it just depends on personal opinion).

: )

[Skwmom]

19. Deleted duplicate.

[Cha]

29. It doesn't matter what anyone does

because if it's meant to be it will be. Things change and they change in a New York second.

I wish the best for Caroline Kennedy and hope New York gets a good Senator..someone to counterbalance Schumer.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

30. If by "spmeone" you mean Caroline Kennedy, you may be on to something

[Occam Bandage]

32. It's a mess of her own doing. She didn't have "it." nt

[Sebastian Doyle]

34. Senators can get things investigated

Think a Senator named Kennedy might want to find the truth about who murdered her father and uncle?

And you think a certain faction only recently removed from a very high office might have a problem with that, because they're up to their nazi-funding, smack peddling, terrorism creating eyeballs in it?

[Freddie Stubbs]

53. There already is a Senator Kennedy. Why hasn't he called for an investigation?

[Clear Blue Sky]

36. How old is Chelsea Clinton? What is the minimum age for the Senate?

[theboss]

41. When did Senate seats become church pews?

Shouldn't Democrats want a little diversity.

Are we going to trade a Biden for a Biden and a Clinton for a Kennedy or another Clinton?

New York is a big state. Surely, there has to be someone who is not related to someone already there.

[alcibiades_mystery]

42. Fromm one dream of royalty to another

Will we ever embrace democracy and put these residual monarchies to bed?

[Beacool]

46. She's 28.

The age requirement is 30.

[theboss]

39. I think she has done a pretty good job of guaranteeing that

Frankly, this is a very healthy moment. Enough with the political dynasties.

[alcibiades_mystery]

40. Have any witnesses disappeared?

:rofl:

[FLAprogressive]

43. *cough* DLC *coughcough*

[Beacool]

49. *Cough*, not only DLC, *cough, cough*

Most NY politicians didn't want her either (except Bloomberg).

The senate ain't the House of Lords (thank goodness!!) and Caroline is not ready to be senator. If she wants it bad enough, she can prepare, put together a campaign and run in 2010. Just like everybody else in her family who held or still holds elected office........

:shrug:

[bottomtheweaver]

52. The War Party.

It's big and the Kennedys are about the only ones they can't buy, blackmail or bribe. Give them a couple of months at the noise machine though (thanks Dave) and they could turn the Virgin Mary into a terrorist if they needed to, and apparently they did.

[FLAprogressive]

56. bingo. nt

[Freddie Stubbs]

54. I'll bet the DLC tricked her into not paying taxes on her domestic help

They are very sly that way.

[FLAprogressive]

55. if Anthony Weiner, Steve Israel, or any other DLC shill did that it would be swept under the rug

[bottomtheweaver]

50. I think if Paterson wanted her he would have appointed her a month ago.

Waiting or possibly arranging for "something" to turn up and then pretending he was just about to appoint her is comically transparent.